Customer Reviews

Nostradamus (Deluxe Edition)

5 star:		(45)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

There are two types of Judas Priest fans:

1-The ones who were introduced to the band from the time when they became popular in the US with Screaming for Vengeance in the early 80s Heavy Metal explosion.

2-Fans who are familiar with their 70's hard rock / metal catalog.

So for those who are familiar with Priest's catalog you would know that Nostradamus is basically a stylistic retake of their second album, the masterpiece called "Sad Wings of Destiny," the same album who produced the necessary live Priest staples such as "The Ripper" "Victim of Changes" "Tyrant" and "Genocide"

This album is not Painkiller, so if you are familiar with Priest's catalog, be forewarned that this album resembles their 70s catalog of songs, with updated sound and production, but this doesn't mean the songs don't rock.. to the contrary

All i can tell you is that you are a true Priest fan and you enjoy most of their albums from their old to the new, you are going to love Nostradamus very much..

Maybe some of the keyboard orchestral accompaniments sound over the top, but the songs are still heavy and never sound cheesy.
I can only imagine listening to some of these songs being played live!!

I am glad Judas Priest made this album as a nod to their own history, because they are one of the first pioneer metal bands, instead of trying to emulate and sound like every new metalcore / numetal band out there, they have done something very original that doesn't sound like anything in their catalog.

Kudos for Judas Priest for trying something new based on their own sound and song catalog.

2008.08.14 UPDATE
I was lucky enough to see (and photograph from the pit) Judas Priest playing with Voivod two days ago on Bell Center in Montreal, and let me tell all the Nostradamus haters.. the whole place was singing the opener song of Priests' set Prophecy, so this album is NOT a flop..far from it
The band sounded as heavy and loud as ever.. so there!

I knew the majority of people who buy this are not going to like it when I heard it all for the first time last week or so.
Why?
It won't be (as REVOLVER magazine stated) "metal enough".
And I agree...this cd has 4-5 metallic hard-driving songs...that is it. But what it does have is operatic overtones...brilliant singing by Halford...some of the most tasty guitar licks.
Lots of the songs are 1-2 mins of heavy heavy keyboards with Rob singing quietly over the top of them.
A lot of feeling, growth and progressive elements...think a more keyboardsy A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH by Maiden.
So if you are looking for some heavy JP...skip this one.
If you are looking to hear some of the best moments of this band then definitley buy NOSTRADAMUS.
I enjoyed the whole cd...and it grows after every listen...but you can't just crank it up and hope for 1983 SCREAMIN FOR VENGEANCE-style ferocity.
You have been warned.

I fling myself firmly onto the side of the fence with those that were somewhat shocked and surprised by the newest Judas Priest release Nostradamus but nonetheless blown away by the magnificence of this effort. As all performers mature, so should their music and JP is proving to be no different. This release speaks volumes to their creativity and I for one think it's about time they thought outside of the box and expanded their range. IMHO, there's plenty of guitars and full-on rockers but it's mixed with a grandiose assortment of power from all angles...keyboard majestry, symphonic interludes and of course, the over-the-top vocal prowess of Rob Halford.

My first listen to this (self-incrimination to follow) was from a borrowed bit-torrent download and at first, I thought I may have been fooled by my friend and given a local band or some obscure Brit prog-metal effort but it didn't take long to realize that only Halford sings that way...it was pure Judas Priest but in a form I wasn't quite ready to mind-meld with. It didn't take long however to become assimilated. Standout cuts to me so far are the title track Nostradamus and Alone...I'm sure more will follow.

Open your mind, don't listen to the naysayers.....get this release! I think I'm going to pick up the vinyl versions just to get that old school feeling again.

Allrighty, I am listening to NOSTRADAMUS in its entirety for the third time now. So I figured I'd post some feedback on it, not necessarily a full review because I plan to keep on spinnin' the discs, so to speak!

I will say this at first: wow, sooooo much material to absorb, and I agree that honestly, no criticism can really be wholly valid until you've had a coupla weeks with this monster of rock, so to speak...

I have followed Halford through all his music changes, and I remember how shocked I was when he switched gears from JP PAINKILLER to FIGHT...seeing 'NAILED TO THE GUN' on MTV in the video form before it was released REALLY threw me...the stylistic change and all...I was like..."no way, is THAT Rob Halford?!?!" Over time, the song grew on me as a fave, and of course, the whole FIGHT WAR OF WORDS album is the epitome, the peak, of 90's metal for most. It is THE album that cannot be beat.

Now with TWO, whew, took some getting used to but enjoyed that immensely, but what helped there was I was already a NIN fan as well, so I understood the whole industrial pop aspect.

I was ecstatic to see the turn back to metal with the HALFORD releases, of course. I thought ANGEL OF RETRIBUTION was a great release for a Priest reunion (and quite honestly, I enjoyed JUGULATOR to death---that was a SHREDDING album and I thought RIPPER was awesome on it, A-Z. However, DEMOLITION did NOT seem to work that well for me, despite a few good songs on there)...

AOR had just about every era of Priest represented, so I don't think you could've had a "safer" record where portions of it pleased fans from about every era. Even LOCH NESS grew on me over time, I still listen to it today. It's moody, lengthy, but through great craftsmanship of the artists, paints a spectacular monster movie in your mind if you let it...

With that background, my first listen to NOSTRADAMUS through earphones was a LETDOWN for some reason...No songs really stood out and it seemed there was no metal at all in it. I have to admit, it was late and I was tired. While I didn't HATE the material in any way, shape, or form, it just...didn't seem like Priest. Almost like "imposter" music, and so much of it.

Okay, so I let it sit. Sometimes, first listens to albums, especially long-form ones or experimental albums, can cloud your judgment. I'm used to this with NIN, for instance, WITH TEETH...first time I heard it, there was like one song I liked. Gave it five or six weeks and tried again...suddenly EVERY song clicked and I "got it."

So...trying NOSTRADAMUS again, this time through speakers and I began to see...to FEEL...what Priest was trying to convey. Yes indeed, the METAL is there, you just have to absorb everything and not be in an all-fire rush to be ASSAULTED FULL ON by the metal attacks like say, in the FIGHT era, which I love so much.

NOSTRADAMUS works, and works well. It's slow. Building. Moody. Variable. Experimental. Layered. Passionate. Sprawling. EPIC.

And INCREDIBLE. Seriously, by the end of listen # 2, I was starting to see the light. And now, with a third spin, I am loving the whole thing even more. Halford's vox are incredible, no, there's not the shredding screams some of us love from the HALFORD/FIGHT era, but then I realized...heck, you can't have that EVERY time and if you WANT that, the material is available, new and old, any time you want it (right here on this site, for cryin' out loud!).

I feel...the artists...spreading their wings passionately, trying to give us something new, something good, if we have the hearts and minds open enough to accept what it is.

Halford's singing on NOSTRADAMUS is in top form, so "in character" for every tune, listeners who pointed out that he is almost a "method actor" during each song are right on the money. There is no question he has put his all into every cut on this album.

The music is a spiraling journey of emotion, using guitars and synths and strings and so many other variations to excellent effect. Let the emotions take you...I think many listeners are waiting to be assaulted by a metal attack exclusively, and that is not the intent of this album. There ARE metal attacks here, so let the JP boys take you on their journey of ups and downs, highs and lows, quiet parts and mood, then back up into the screaming mayhem again! It's all there, and SO MUCH more.

Each time I listen to this masterpiece as a whole, I come away with more and more, seeing and feeling how much work and effort, blood, sweat, and tears that JP put into this.

So I would URGE listeners who don't connect with the material right away to keep on listening. WAIT a day or two...put it on again. Put some expectations aside.

If you want to be simply assaulted by metal, put on some shreddin' FIGHT era songs for a while, or PAINKILLER. No problem with enjoying that again. But then, when you're in a more open mood...(I did this after the first listen, had to get an assault of the new remix of BENEATH THE VIOLENCE...)

...come back to the material.

You may well be VERY surprised, as I was.

Suddenly the journey made more sense, and now, I am hearing so many new things with it all.

Everything in a traditional Priest album is here- the shrills, the screams and high notes, the twin guitar attacks, the ballads, the anger, the emotion. It's just spread out more through a longer running time with varied music interludes that keep everything rolling.

As you listen to the album in its entirety many times, it goes faster, actually seeming shorter and shorter, making you crave for more! That is an amazing feat and I think Priest realized this, for fans that were open and ready for something new along with the old, this would happen. Hence, they made the right decision releasing this in such a long version.

As for the songs themselves, there's only two or three that pertain directly to Nostradamus and nothing else. What's so grandiose and epic about ALL the other tunes is that they are NOT locked into Nostradamus per se even though, they are, of course. You can interpret the lyrics and apply them to modern times or even your own life, as the best of songs (in any genre) do. That in itself is an achievement, making a concept album that works on two separate levels like that- to tell a story about a person and make it so reflective that we, as human beings, can relate to it personally as well.

Right now, I don't have a favorite song, I really am loving...and absorbing...the full journey of the album. It's everything Halford and Priest and even so much more, if you let it be.

Is it the best PRIEST album? Unknown right now. It definitely ranks high up there, but only the test of time will tell on that aspect. I am enjoying it immensely and finding new joy from this work every time I listen to it.

But honestly, it all works, and change is good if the listener gives it a chance. I understand the naysayers, but man, I strongly urge you to give it another chance when emotions of "disappointment" aren't running so high.

You might "see" and "feel" the vision that Halford and Priest want to reveal to you.

Bottom line: this bad boy epic takes some time to digest. Ya gotta chew it a while, savoring the tastes and textures slowly. You can't just wolf it down like a Big Mac and get the immediate fullness you crave.

So there we go, I really, really, really am enjoying this metal opera masterpiece...it's an incredible accomplishment by artists who refuse to play it safe and continue to grow, even as they continue to deliver the metal goods, if you're bold enough to let them take you on this journey.

Nuff said. Time to get back to the album, and my verdict is it's A WINNER, if you just give it a chance.

I'll start by saying that this CD will generate some negative reviews. I expect this because there will be many Priest fans looking for hits and pure headbanging classics. Not the case here. This project contains too much diversity in mood and use of multiple music styles and it won't satisfy those in it for a quick Priest fix. Buy Painkiller instead and rock on.
That all said, even I needed a few listens to put the flow of this record into my head. I'm not a classical music fan, but I love it when used in interludes and as an accompaniment to music I really love such as heavy metal. Priest make that fuson work here, but one must see this record as a journey rather than waiting for particular tracks. It is quite grandiose really daring the listener to experience and take it in fully and with patience. I would say its quite Meat Loaf or Queen-style grandiose fused with the Epic elements of say an Iced Earth. Robs vocals are excellent and at times spectacular. Some may bemoan the dominance of mid tempo range vocals, but I think at his age, with a tour in mind, its a remarkable achievement. What Rob gives you is quality not quantity for obvious reasons.
While there are plenty of typical Priest-style riffs to indulge in, they do not dominate this album. JP wanted to do something different here, so while the flashes of Priest brilliance dot this record, its not all what its about.
Overall though, extremely satisfying and a wonderful quality piece of work. Standout tracks include the post Ozzy Black Sabbath-style "Death", "War", "Persecution" and "Nostradamus". Some of the classical interludes I really love are "The Four Horseman" and "Peace".
4.5 stars

But this won't be one. It makes me sad to read some of these reviews stating that this is the end of Judas Priest. How often do you hear Priest on the radio anyway? What's keeping them going is the true Priest fans that still buy there music and go to their shows. With this purchase you get a code for a free General Admission ticket to THE METAL MASTERS TOUR. This is a conceptual album about the life of Nostradamus, that means that it is telling a story for those of you that don't understand. I knew from the start that it would be slow and fast combined, but it is still Judas Priest. I think that the way it is mixed together in this time and age makes it a masterpiece plus I like the hardcover book that came with the collectors set. It's got some awesome artwork, the story of Nostradamus, and all of the lyrics. The discs slide into a sleeve in the front and rear of the book. I gave it 4 stars because I do believe that in some parts between songs that is does drag on a little but I am very impressed how this project came out. Also with my free ticket I know that I will be banging my head to all of the classics in August in San Antonio, Texas.

It was obvious from the beginning that some people would love this CD and others would hate it. Hardcore fans who want little else than a regurgitation of Painkiller will be severely disappointed. Those who are able to open their minds and explore a new world of Priest will find this CD to be an absolutely amazing journey. This piece of work displays a depth that most bands never reach.

There is no one formula or sound that makes this album. It is a combination of musical styles that requires you to listen to this album multiple times to actually "get it." This is precisely why some people will never "get it." Sadly they are missing out on one of the most amazing concept albums ever written. There are no instant radio hits here.

When you do take the time to be absorbed into the world of Nostradamus, you find layers of music rather than just a catchy guitar riff. With Nostradamus, Priest are again pioneers, blending heavy metal with operatic verses and orchestral accompaniments. If for no other reason, this CD is worth purchasing just to hear Rob Halford sing in Italian on "Pestilence and Plague." Halford shows that he is not just The Metal God, unleashing screams that will shatter glass and fragile ear drums, but that he is also a vocalist who SINGS with far more energy and talent than any pop tart that Fox Television tries to make into an "idol." This is not bubble-gum rock boys and girls. This is not pretty. This is not the 4 minute hit single they play on MTV with a bunch of screaming kids who don't even know what they are screaming at. This is Judas Priest. This is Rock & Roll. This is Heavy Metal. But this time, it's done with finesse that's usually reserved for much different musical genres. Congratulations to Judas Priest for taking the chance, and for doing it exceptionally well. There's a reason why this band is selling out arenas almost 35 years after their inception.

My final advice to anyone looking to purchase this CD. Do it! But you need to put in the time with this album to appreciate it. Priest took over two years to write and record this album. Listen to it in full- from beginning to end. Then do it again. And again. You need to immerse yourself into the world they created to truly appreciate it. If you put in the time, you will reap the rewards that this masterpiece has to offer.

All hail to the Call of The Priest and bow before The Metal Gods!

Also note- the deluxe addition is a beautiful package with a hardcover book and all the lyrics, as well as a short biography of Nostradamus' life. It's well worth the extra few dollars.

If you keep an open mind, this can be one of the most enjoyable collection of songs released by any "metal" group in recent years. Being a Priest fan since 1980, I had the typical WTF reaction when listening to the album for the first time. I was expecting much of the CD to sound like the Nostradamus single, which is a combination of Hellrider & Ram it Down. However, the CD consists mostly of beautifully crafted songs which introduce you, and build up to more emotionally charged tracks. If you really listen to the music, you will enjoy Nostradamus more and more with each play. While it is not a traditional "straight forward metal" priest CD, it is different, and a needed breath of fresh air. Much more enjoyable than most of priest's recent catalog, and much better than the stale recent offerings by groups like Def Leppard or Dokken. The musicianship is outstanding, and Ian Hill can actually heard on many of the tracks!

Best Tracks -
Pestilence and Plague - great keyboard/synth accompaniment in the chorus. Full of emotion and very grand sounding.

Persecution - One of the few metal songs; Halford's rant in the middle of song reminiscent of "free wheel burning"

Alone - Acoustic guitar and synthesizer track, accompanied by Halford's emotional, multi-tracked vocals. This is the only song where he sings ahigh note.

For a good comparison, listen to "Framing Armageddon" by Iced Earth.

After listening to this recording a dozen or more times, I'm beginning to think it may be one of the best Priest albums ever. The songs Revelations, Alone, and Visions are very powerful. Powerful as in I've woken up with them in my head and during the day I'll find myself unconsciously humming the melodies. I'm pleased with the discs and glad to see the guys experimenting and doing what they want. That's right at the heart of metal, IMO.

This album makes me want to re-read my book of quatrains!!! For all you haters out there metal does not have to be "go for the throat" 24/7 in order to have thrust and power. This is some of Priest's most thoughtful material ever. Everyone remembers how bad "Jugulator" and "Demolition" were I'm sure. Those albums were total sophomoric crap!!

"Nostradamus" however, is very well thought out, and sequenced. The Metal God, KK, Glenn, Ian, and Scott have put their collective all into this and they are the only metal band that could've pulled this off!!

LISTEN!!