INVINCIBLE SHIELD Judas Priest (Sony) *****
The Priest is back with their 19th album, following up 2018’s Firepower with a solid metallic BANG. Invincible Shield With producer and touring guitarist Andy Sneap once again behind the board, Judas Priest has delivered their most powerful record since Painkiller, maybe even British Steel. It’s that good, it’s that heavy- a triumph in every way.
Months shy of 50 years since releasing their 1974 debut Rocka Rolla a band with such high mileage might be tempted to coast- but not Judas Priest… they have nothing left to prove, yet they keep pushing. Invincible Shield touches lyrically on a wide range of subjects, perhaps moreso than previous efforts. “As the metal messenger of Priest I’m always looking for opportunities to touch on subjects and ideas that I haven’t done before” Rob Halford says in an interview with Apple Music. “You’re searching for something fresh, something new. I think this is so important- to be interesting, engaging, and entertaining.”
With guitarist Glenn Tipton’s retirement from touring and Richie Faulkner’s brush with death- an aortic dissection as the band was finishing a live show in 2021- it would seem they have something to prove musically as well; delivering the goods, as it were. Other reviewers compare Invincible Shield some of the JP’s 80’s classics; but to my ears this hits like a combination of the precision and song craft of British Steel and the sonic brutality of Painkiller. In many ways it’s the classic Judas Priest sound as if it’s been working out in the gym.
Rob Halford’s voice is as powerful as it’s ever been, Ian Hill and Scott Travis are the consummate metal rhythm section, and the riffs and interplay of guitarists Tipton and Faulkner are just fucking EPIC. Invincible Shield is unflinching evidence that, many decades into their career, Judas Priest is at the top of their game and still climbing. This is one of the best records of an already stellar career, one that fans are really take to heart.
https://www.judaspriestinvincibleshield.com/#
HOT TRACKS: Panic Attack, Giants In The Sky, Escape From Reality
NEW MOVES: THE CHESS PROJECT Various Artists (CZYZ Records) *** ½
NEW MOVES: THE CHESS PROJECT Whatever you’re expecting from this, hold that thought. Rather than slavish recreations of old blues nuggets, New Moves: The Chess Project is a set of radical reinterpretations of classic numbers originally released on the legendary Chess label, and will appeal to open-minded blues fans and hip-hop fans alike… I’m not kidding.
New Moves was nearly 2 decades in the making. Conceived by Marshall Chess (son of founder Leonard Chess) and Keith LeBlanc, whom he met while working for hip-hop label Sugar Hill Records, and the original idea was to use samples of the original masters combined with new instrumentation. Legal issues arose when it came to using samples, so the idea evolved into creating a collection or reimagined recordings selected by Marshall and Keith. “(It’s) an attempt to spread the magic of the Chess sound to a new audience” Marshall Chess says. “It’s another concept inspired by my family’s music, showcasing great lyrics with new riffs… new music with Chess Records inspirations, powered by world-class musicians and great production that takes the blues to a new place.”
So who do you recruit to turn a radical idea like New Moves into reality? Longtime Rolling Stones backing vocalist Bernard Fowler gets a starring role. The all-star lineup also includes Keith LeBlanc, a world class percussionist; Skip McDonald (Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five); guitarist Eric Gales (Santana, Gary Clark Jr., Lauren Hill);Paul Nowinksi (Keith Richards, Patti Smith) and MonoNeon (Prince, Ne-Yo) on bass; Reggie Griffin (Kenny Babyface Edmonds, Chaka Khan) on keys, plus Alan Glen (Jeff Beck, Peter Green) on harmonica.
Blues purists might find New Moves tough digest, classic blues done in a hip-hop style, but it’s a truly fascinating combination and worth the effort it takes to get to know the album. The vibe here is quite laid back, like Jimi Hendrix meets Sly & The Family Stone in some respects, giving these blues an exotic feel. This daring combination comes from Marshall’s heart. “I’m 82 now, and I STILL love making records” he says. That much is clear- you gotta give this one a spin.
HOT TRACKS: Smokestack Lightning, Goin’ Down Slow, Boom Boom Out Go The Lights
OUT OF LINE The Wicked Lo-Down (Gulf Coast Records) ****
OUT OF LINE This is the second album overall and the first from these New England based blues bruisers for Gulf Coast and it’s… well, wicked. The Wicked Lo-Down’s Out Of Line, despite where they call home, is Texas-style (and sized) blues… rowdy, house rockin’ and to party.
Gulf Coast label head Mike Zito says singer Nick David “has a blues and rock ‘n’ roll sound that’s deep and soulful. His singing, writing and harp playing are old school, yet fresh all at once.” The band is guitarists Paul Size and Jeff Berg, bassist Brad Hallen and drummer Nick Toscano, with Zito guesting on guitar for Out Of Line.. Out Of Line was produced by the band, 11 rockin’ originals plus a remake of Hound Dog Taylor’s Just Can’t Make It and a song called Toxic which was- get this- originally done by Britney Spears, bluesified into a sinister, fierce, rockin’ Texas shuffle, with an appearance by the magnificent Monster Mike Welch on guitar. Needless to say the TWL-D version sound different, like when David Gogo covered Michael Jackson’s The Way You Make Me Feel on his 2011 disc Soul Bender as well as Mike Zito’s take on The Guess Who’s These Eyes on his recent Life Is Hard album.
The playing is top notch and equally important is the attitude with which these guys attack their instruments- no shy wallflowers in this bunch, they pick up their axes, chase down some righteous grooves and bloody NAIL it every time. Out Of Line is driving music, it’s raucous house party music, it’s musical excitement, it’s whatever you need it to be. From the raging opening track Kill Me Or Keep Me to the slow blues of If I, it’s clear that these guys know their blues well. Nick David is an outstanding singer, similar to Kim Wilson of The Fabulous Thunderbirds, wrapping himself around each lyric as if his life depends on it.
Though they haven’t been around long, formed in 2020 by guitarist Paul Size shortly before The Covid Lockdown- but Out Of Line is indisputable proof that The Wicked Lo-Down will be with us and making crucial blues for a good long while.
HOT TRACKS: If I, Out Of Line, Action Woman
BINARY DREAM Turbulence (Frontiers) *****
BINARY DREAM This is one powerful album. Turbulence are a progressive metal powerhouse hailing from Lebanon and Binary Dream is an eye opener. From brutal, complex guitars to quirky arrangements, it fearlessly explores hard rock armed with incredible chops and musical vision.
The band states “Binary Dream is a narrative wrapped in layers of groovy, progressive metal, with nods to Djent and jazz fusion. It’s an exploration, a fusion, an awakening.” If I’m reading this right, the album tells the story of consciousness awakening in an AI lifeform, a scary thought that seems to be happening even as I listen to the record and write this review. Such a tale demands an expressive, expansive musical backdrop with a wide array of textures and motifs, and Turbulence rises to the occasion with skill and intensity. Rarely in my experience has a concept album been this exciting and engaging.
Turbulence came into existence in 2013 at the hands of Alain Ibrahim (guitar) and Mood Yassin (keyboards), and today includes the talents of Omar El Hage on vocals and Anthony Atoui on bass. No word on who plays drums or if it’s the most awesome drum program you’ve ever heard; the bottom line is Binary Dream kicks beaucoup de ass. There’s something about progressive metal that, like complex jazz, scares me and/or makes me feel stupid for not being able to keep up. Maybe it’s the combination of the story and the musicianship involved, but there’s something about what Turbulence is doing here that’s compelling. Kansas meets Dream Theater? Poverty’s No Crime? Give t a listen and see for yourself.
While I have a longstanding love for good ol’ 4-on-the-floor rock & roll an album like Binary Dream offers many avenues to explore, musically and thematically. It’s grand, it’s overblown, maybe even pompous, but also irresistible.
https://www.facebook.com/turbulenceofficial
HOT TRACKS: Binary Dream, Corrosion, Manifestations (instrumental)
