Released: 2024
Genres: Heavy Metal, Power Metal, Speed Metal
The Musiquarium’s Invincible Shield Review Score: 8 out of 10
Judas Priest managed to have an energized resurgence in 2018 with Firepower, which was their best album since 1990’s Painkiller. With Invincible Shield, the legendary metal band continues the momentum and proves that their last album wasn’t just a fluke.
Legendary vocalist Rob Halford shows no signs of slowing down, despite his age. Where many singers with high vocal ranges start to gradually lose power and range over the decades, Halford is still in top form at 73. Like on their previous album, Richie Faulkner (the youngest member by 20-30 years) helps to inject some youthfulness into the band, along with Andy Sneap’s production, which has only ameliorated.
Panic Attack is a strong opener, beginning with a near minute-long intro, before launching into an assault of guitars and Rob Halford’s banshee-like wail. You’d think that after 50 years, that Judas Priest would have run out of killer guitar riffs, but tracks like The Serpent and the King, Escape From Reality and (especially) the title track say otherwise. Crown of Horns is the only ballad, but otherwise, the entire album is just full-throttle metal.
While Invincible Shield doesn’t reinvent the steel, it frankly doesn’t have to. It’s a group of veterans who have spent half a century as pioneers of the genre, showing that they can still be relevant in the modern metal landscape, even when they have every right to coast on their laurels.
For credit breakdowns and historic release details, view Judas Priest on Discogs.
Back to the 2024 Album Guide or the Judas Priest Reviews page.
Written by Brett Nippard
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