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I'm a die-hard fan, but I wasn't big on the last one, Jugulator. The live album that followed, '98 Live Meltdown, won me over in a big way, however. Singer Rob Halford quit almost a decade ago (his last gig with the Priest was in Toronto in August of '91), and Tim "Ripper" Owens took over from him in the late 90's. So, to get you up to speed, Jugulator was OK. I'd give it 5.5 out of 10. Ripper's got an amazing voice (reportedly better than Rob's these days), but the lyrics were juvenile and the music was a tad monotonous. Demolition, the new album, is much better, and that's only after three listens.

The lyrics are still pretty juvenile in spots ("Don't access the site/or beware his megabyte/no virus scan/detects the man" from "Cyberface"), but on some tracks we're getting back to respectability! Besides, with Halford insisting on singing endless tributes to the Power and Glory of Metal, he's not doing much better.

The sound and production of the album is still similar to Jugulator. The guitars are good and chunky, the bass, usually lacking on Priest albums, is in your face, and Scott Travis is seriously kickin' it on the drum kit. The guitars and vocals sound a tad too processed, though. A little too much tinkering with the effects racks. Ripper's not screaming as much as he used to. I imagine his voice is already starting to wear, considering the great job he did on tour. Still, he rips it out for a couple tracks and it's very welcome.

Songwriting-wise, the band are coming up with much more interesting riffs than last time. Many of these riffs would have been at home on some of the legendary Priest recordings from ages past. Some are current and fresh sounding. The vocals are so much more melodic! The songs are more varied: they're finally slowing down and adding some acoustic guitar occasionally again. A track like "Close To You" is reminicient of stuff like "A Touch Of Evil".

Sadly, Mark Wilkinson isn't doing their album covers anymore. Maybe Iron Maiden have him working overtime drawing new Eddies, or maybe Priest just want to move on. I'll miss his art.

Anyhow, I really do like this album quite a bit. I know it's just going to continue to grow on me, and I think all Priest fans who enjoyed albums like Painkiller or Screaming For Vengeance should try it.

Let's get to the real reason you're looking at this limited version while we're at it: the bonus tracks! Both are studio tracks from Priest's Japanese CD single for "Bullet Train" in 1998. Rapid Fire is made even MORE rapid, if that's possible. It's similar to the live version on '98 Meltdown. Green Manalishi is slowed down to a killer groove, very different from the live version. Both are amazing.


A STRONG RELEASE FROM THE METAL LEGENDS   November 28, 2001
 2 out of 2 found this review helpful

First impressions were not good when I saw the cover. I was extremely disappointed in the lacklustre artwork that breaks a long tradition of sci-fi / robotic metal art drawings. The omission of (or lack of effort to produce) a memorable cover is entirely unforgivable, but nevertheless I was relieved to find that the sonic contents of the album were not a reflection of the poor package design.

"SUBTERFUGE" is an instant classic, the finest song, though "METAL MESSIAH" could have been if the production had been right (Chris Tsangerides co-wrote both of these songs). The weakest is "JEKYLL & HYDE," containing that slight sense of cheapness which has permeated the songs of Judas Priest since former vocalist Rob Halford's unfortunate departure, but which has been thankfully reduced to a minimum on this latest album, "DEMOLITION."

Somehow Glenn Tipton has managed to put his own stamp on Judas Priest's traditional style of Heavy Metal peculiar to that first heard on his solo album, "BAPTIZM OF FIRE" - a kind of vocal feel akin to "Alice in Chains" in some parts. The overall quality of the production on this album, mainly produced by Glenn Tipton, is of a very high standard (though the volume level on "METAL MESSIAH" was comparatively, and woefully, low) and gives a strong aggressive feeling. There are also a few songs that can be classed as "ballads" and these are quite touching in their own way.

One thing that I found immediately evident was the conspicuous lack of "traditional" Judas Priest duelling guitar solos, rather there was more of an emphasis on distinctive effects rather than skilful technical playing and the harmonic rhythms that we are used to hearing from Glenn and KK. Scott Travis' drumming is as awesome as ever, still one of the best drummers in the world, while "Ripper" Owens sounds uncannily like Rob Halford on a few songs (particularly the live version of "THE GREEN MANALISHI").

There are occasional irritations - the excessive, and quite unnecessary, swearing which adds nothing to the songs and is seemingly included to appeal to younger fans - but I would thoroughly recommend this album as it is an out and out Judas Priest album, only Priest are a little different since Rob Halford left.


This Album is Incredible!   January 13, 2002
 1 out of 1 found this review helpful

I admit that in 1997 I was one of the first in line to buy the Jugulator album. I hurried home and threw it in the cd player. After listening I took the cd out and didn't listen to it again for 4 years. I thought, "How could they pick this guy to replace Rob Halford? He sounds like a bowel movement of Halfords."
I then heard in April of '01 that JP were putting out another album. I managed to get an early copy of the album and was blown away! The first two tracks cut through your head like a broken rusty buzzsaw! This album is deep and reflective lyrically, especially on "Hell is Home" and "Feed on Me." And Musically Tipton and Downing have recaptured their magic. What makes this particular recording special is that they have re-recorded 2 old Priest songs with "Ripper" Owens. "Rapid Fire" and "The Green Manalishi." Owens has proven himself worthy of the Priest. No one can equal Halford, but Owens is doing fine. I've even popped "Jugulator" in a few times since the release of "Demolition" and can hear the progression. I now highly recommend both albums.


IT'S JUST.....ALLRIGHT   March 30, 2002
When I heard that Priest were putting out a new cd with Ripper, again, I thought well let's just hope it's better than Jugulator. Well, it is, however, there is only one Priest and that contains the likes of MR. ROB HALFORD. Again, this is an allright cd, a wee bit different than one might think. If you are a die hard priest fan and can remember to the first time you listened to TURBO and thought WHAT!!!! Well, you are kind of thinking that again. The cd does have some good tracks on it with better guitar work on it than on Jugulator. The additional tracks of RAPID FIRE and THE GREEN MANILISHI are just not the same without ROB HALFORD. This version of the MANILISHI is slowed down a bit and just isn't the same. There is a few good songs on this cd such as MACHINE MAN, ONE ON ONE, HELL IS HOME, BLOODSUCKERS, IN BETWEEN, AND METAL MESSIAH. This cd is for one to buy if you are a Priest fan. Maybe, ROB will be back...soon!!!


AWESOME!   August 16, 2008
Yeah i know what Priest fans think about this album. I personaly don't care. This is a really cool record, especially THIS version. Had Rob been in this album all of ya Priest "fans" would have liked this album. LOL! Go and figure! Ripper is a great, really talented front man.
"Machine man's coming,
you wanna try?
Machine man's coming,
you're gonna diiiiiiiiiiie........"