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Judas Priest: Jugulator Heavy Metal, Speed Metal Steamhammer/SPV Records October 16th, 1997
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Review
Jugulator, the first non-Halford release from Judas Priest, continues to show off the darker, heavier side of the band. The only problem is that the songs can often be off the wall, or just rather unimpressive. The album does have many good moments and tracks to it, though. "Blood Stained" just seems like a faster version of older material the band, really, except for a rather ambient moment that hits about two thirds of the way in with an "unneccesary" feel to it. Same with "Burn In Hell", just minus the ambient moment. But with that being said, some of the songs just don't really sounds like Judas Priest. Granted this is a new era with their new vocalist, but "Dead Meat" really isn't even that great a song. While it sounds like a march or something to fight to, it just seems rather unimpressive until the guitar solo kicks in. Another big issue on this is easily found on the begining of the song "Death Row". Someone felt it necessary to splice in what sounds like a movie clip from a prison flick to it. While this wouldn't be a terrible thing, the clip is too long, and has moments where the music is overly simple and repetative, boring, and certain vocal moments are irritating to the point of hitting the skip button. In other words, the song sounds cheesy as hell. But sadly, there are more cheese elements to this release then that, as other songs seem to have this same formula. "Decapitate" is another good example of it. There really aren't many shining moments to this album. But, the problem with it is those shining moments that do exist are amazing. Yes, "Jugulator" may be somewhat inconsistant and off the wall, but the song in it's self is simply kick ass. Same with the aforementioned "Blood Stained". "Abductors" is a good kick off to the band's old sound, and "Burn In Hell" is another excellent song, it just takes forever for the track to actually kick in due to the slow, mood setting intro. So, with a rather disapointing resurrection album, what else can be said? How about the fact that sometimes, a song's introductory build up creates more enjoyful anticipation then the actual song. "Brain Dead", which sounds like it'll break into one heavy as hell balls to the wall metal song, simply goes into a mediocre, somewhat unimpressive track. However, the guitar chords representing brain waves was a nice touch, and the guitar solo gives you some of the intensity you expected of the song and never got, even though it seems out of place considering the song's speed. So, by the end of the song, you'll have taken one hell of a roller coaster ride. At least the album ends well enough with the track "Bullet Train", the best song off the album, with some ambience during "Cathedral Spires" as the letting off point of the ride. Sadly, this resurrection of the band is not what it was cracked up to be. The music may be modernized, but thanks to the heavy used of special effects, and some rather bland song writing, this era isn't looking all that promising.
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