Judas Priest – Invincible Shield

I really thought ‘Firepower’ was such a great comeback and return to form for one of the most important bands in the history of metal but ‘Invincible Shield’ is such an absolute stunner that it just seems unreasonable to expect Judas Priest to be this good so late in their careers. 2018 doesn’t seem like it’s been six years since the last LP but illness and a worldwide pandemic seems to have made that time between seem less significant. Working again with Andy Sneap, the band has once again created a ferocious collection of riffs with just enough of their trademark melodies. I do think it’s a better album than ‘Firepower’ which again seems insane to me as I thought they might pack it in after Glenn Tipton’s Parkinson’s diagnosis but nope they truly outdid themselves. The lead track “Panic Attack” had been released almost six months before the LP (I think) and while I thought it was a good song when I first heard it then, it rewards with multiple listens. “The Serpent and the King”, “Edge of Reality” and “Giants in the Sky” are, along with “Panic Attack” and the title track, my personal favorites but man, this record is so good! “God Is My Witness”, “Crown of Horns” and “Trial by Fire” are all very heavy and very melodic, often at the same time. Supposedly Richie Falkner plays a majority of the guitars on this album and if that is true, because of Glenn’s illness, he certainly doesn’t disappoint as both riffs and solos, along with rock solid rhythm section of Hill and Travis complete the Priest onslaught. It is still hard to believe Glenn doesn’t play a lot even though he was completely involved in the songwriting but who knows.
So where do I put ‘Invincible Shield’ in my ranking of the catalog? Hard to say as I haven’t grown up with this album like I have with the greats but I would have to say at least a 4 to 4.5 star rating. I will say it could certainly sit there comfortably with ‘Defenders’ or, dare I say, ‘Screaming for Vengeance’ but most Priest fans won’t say that. I did end up buying the bonus track addition only after I learned there was a bonus track version of the album (much to my chagrin:() and I have to say - the extra songs aren’t all that great but I’m not going to base ‘Invincible Shield’’s merits on the leftovers. Not to beat a dead horse but I find it unbelievable that this band is on its third (or fourth?) comeback and they could be in the middle of one of their most productive and artistically successful eras in their long and proud history. The clamour and the clatter indeed…

Is it just me, or does anyone else feel like the artwork printing on this version feel way to dark?

AMAZING album!! They managed to release an album even better than the great Firepower!!

Great production from Andy Sneap once again, the band is on fire! The 3 extra tracks totally worth the deluxe edition.

Is it only me with my precious ears that can hear that the vocals on the CD versions is less up-front compared to the Hot-Pink vinyl record that just screams in-your-face. On that vinyl the vocal is more in center and much clearer.

Judas Priest return with their first new album since 2018. Classic Priest that reminds you that why this band is one of the legendary metal bands that helped define the genre!!!🤘

The Target exclusive version has three bonus tracks, for a total of 14 songs. If you are a Priest fan, do not hesitate to add this album to your collection!