The legendary Judas Priest brought their ‘Invincible Shield Tour’ to Boston this past Thursday, April 25th, to the MGM Music Hall behind the legendary Fenway Park. Celebrating their new record, Invincible Shield and fifty-plus years since their humble beginnings in the industrial Birmingham, UK. Rob Halford (vocals), Scott Travis (drums), Ian Hill (bass), Andy Sneap (guitar) and Richie Faulkner (lead guitar). The British Heavy Metal icons unleashed their unabridged fury upon the venue’s guests with a volatile 18-song set that included hits, set staples and rarities that had their bedazzled, leather and denim-clad fans fist-pumping, head-banging, and rejoicing together as one throughout the night.
The din inside MGM was a mash-up of Priest’s rabid fans’ energized pre-show conversation and the band’s hype-music blasting through the PA system. The buzz of anticipation was almost palpable and when the house lights cut at precisely 9:00, which cued Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs”, much to the joy of the metal community that filled the general admission floor and the two tiers of the balcony. The show officially commenced as fog rolled out from both sides of the stage while a massive, illuminated Judas Priest cross-style sculpture dangled from the rafters above. As the Invincible Shield curtain dropped, the band gathered as one and tore into the abrasive “Panic Attack”.
Amidst the bright lights, Travis, Hill, Sneap and Faulkner swaggered out from the drum riser and greeted the crowd with smiles. As they took their marks, gesturing with their hands and instruments, the “Metal God” Rob Halford took center stage, and the music hall erupted. Halford hypnotized his disciples as he ominously prowled from left to right, waiting for his cue to make his vocal contribution.
For a solid 90 minutes, the band tore through their unbridled set that had casual fans and purists elated. Early highlights included “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’”, “Breakin’ the Law” and “Love Bites”. Faulkner, who has cagey poses down to a science, still manages to play every lick and riff effortlessly while engaging with the crowd by pointing, smiling, and sneering like a Sith Lord awaiting his next kill. Faulkner’s counterpart Snead, who fits seamlessly within the Priest fold, kept pace on his fretboards just the same. The duo’s harmonized fretwork kept onlookers in awe throughout the set.
Mid-set, fans cajoled over “Saints in Hell”, “Sinner” and “Turbo Lover”. Halford never missed a cue and had jaws dropping while showcasing his inhuman ability to sing with his howls and guttural growls. Travis, who is landlocked behind his kit, was almost always smiling while pummeling the skins and cymbals before him. He was a machine and looked like he was enjoying every beat. Hill, who clearly chooses to stay put in his happy place on stage, attacks his bass with a fever that matches Travis’ intensity, thus providing a freakishly strong backbone for the band.
The band’s encore delivered. After a minute or two of erratic lighting and chants of “Priest” bellowing from in front of the stage. After “Electric Eye”, all eyes were focused on the empty stage that soon found Halford rolling out from behind a curtain, straddling his custom motorcycle. Donning a leather coat, cap, sunglasses, and riding crop clenched between his teeth, he drew cheers as he postured and flashed the infamous “Dio” devil horns from his gloved hand. The rest of the band had already returned to their respective haunts, and with one final rev of the engine, they tore into “Hell Bent for Leather”. The finale was provided by the epic “Living After Midnight.” Fans continued to celebrate while the band met at the front of the stage to wave goodbye and throw guitar picks and drumsticks as the video screen behind them declared that they would be back!
In the end, Judas Priest left no stone unturned and proved why they have been heralded as groundbreaking and anointed as one of the most influential bands in the industry to reckon with. Though original guitarists Glenn Tipton and K.K. Downing are sorely missed from the lineup by the die-hards, the chemistry and showmanship between Faulkner and Sneap are most impressive. Hill’s and Travis’ bludgeoning backline never falters and keeps the band’s turbo engines runnin’. Halford’s trademark vocal prowess hasn’t lost any spark, and as a whole, the band is at the top of their game, and they don’t look like they’re slowing down any time soon. So, we’ll patiently await their return for another voluntary assault on the senses.
Photos by Marc Lacatell
