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Rob
Halford:
London Astoria 2 6th December 2000 Wednesday the 6th of December saw a packed auditorium filled with devotees all clamouring to see one of the rock worlds' more enduring legends..... Rob Halford. |
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Promoting his latest album 'Resurrection'
(a reference about the resurrecting of his metal career after his last project
wasn't 'TWO' successful...), the leather clad 'Metal God' provedthat at
50, his voice hadn't tarnished with time, but was still as powerful as ever
with it's amazing tonal range in spite of the passing of years, which incidentally,
really don't show. With a relatively young band behind him (Patrick Lachman/'Metal' Mike Chlasciak on guitars; Bobby Jarzombek on drums and Ray Riendeau on bass), Rob Halford did not look out of place fronting them, and with plenty of power and metal mayhem to boot, he twisted around the stage like a black serpent waiting to strike, wowing the very appreciative audience with every gesture, including periodically playing to time on those ol' air guitars.Indulging mainly in stuff from the new album, Rob Halford and co. managed to 'squeeze' in several Judas Priest numbers during the latter part of the gig. You cculd tell which these were simply by that distinctive 'chugga-chugga' rhythm and pounding beat that Priest are so well known for... and also by the frenzied reponse from the crowd.  |
| Despite having been on the road for 11 months or more in this extensive world tour, no metal fatigue could be detected in the bands' performance. Rob Halfords' vocals went from the truly sublime to the chillingly shrill and deafening, giving a show as fresh and as vigourous as any, with a band that really looked like they were enjoying themselves as much as the audience were. The gig finished (yeah, right..!.) and after the customary lights out, the first of the three encores rocked into life.... These first four trax were Priest numbers, but then came the finale from 'Resurrection' with not one guest joining The Halford on stage, but two. Geoff Tate (Queens Ryche) and our very own Bruce (Iron Maiden) Dickinson leapt into life and the Metal Madmen cavorted around the stage (which was barely big enough for them, let alone any egos or acrobatix) like three hot wired, heavy metal Thunderbirds puppets on speed, each doing thier own thing before crashing into a crescendo of such vocal voracity that the sheer energy here could have lifted the roof off! Supported by long haired dudes Dragonheart, (last minute subs for 'Overkill'), this wa ahugely enjoyable evening with Mr Halford and friends. A show well worth catching up with. For those who weren't luccky enought to experience this metal extravaganza, you can get stuck into 'Resurrection'. Failing that? there's always them old Priest favourites! | ||
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Set List Resurrection: Resurrection; Made in Hell; Locked and Loaded; Saviour; Silent Scream; Cyber World; Nightfall; The one You Love to Hate (with BD & GT) Fight/War of Words: Into The Pit; Nailed To The Gun. |
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Set List Priest Collection: Stained Glass; Jaw Breaker; Running Wild; Electric Eye; Riding the Wind: Genocide; Beyond The Realms of Death; Metal Gods; Breaking the Law; Tyrant Photographs © Babz Bell/Photobabe |
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