When metal bands do concept records based on historical figures or writings, it's an iffy proposition. For every superb album like Bruce Dickinson's "The Chemical Wedding," you get a whole bunch of losers. Having listened to the first single off Judas Priest's upcoming concept record "Nostradamus," which seems like a bit of a hokey concept to begin with, I'm not sure what we're going to get when it hits shelves in June.The operatic opening, I felt, was a little weird. The keyboards were kind of cheesy, and the vocals don't really play to Rob Halford's strengths. After that, we get a pretty standard Priest number that sounds a bit like a mash-up of a couple of "Painkiller" tunes. The song has its up and downs. "Painkiller" is one of my favorite Priest records, so I don't have any problems with that sound, but at the same time, much of the song feels like I've heard it before. The chorus is one of the weakest points (aside from the repetitive chant of "Nostradamus"), and a little goofy-sounding. There's a line that I believe is "Nostradamus ... he's our mage." On casual listen, it comes off sounding like "Nostradamus ... he's our man," which would be worse than some of the lyrics they forced "Ripper" Owens to sing on "Demolition." They pick it back up with a nice ripping bit going into the solo with Rob screaming over it, that I really like. (Editor's note: It has been pointed out to me by a reader that these ears that have been abused at metal concerts for a quarter of a century have completely misheard this lyric. The poster points out the actual lyric is "Nostradamus is avenged." I don't think the lyric is quite as clear as he seems to think, but I concede that it is probably correct and it is a much better lyric.)
Ultimately, it sounds like a pretty average Judas Priest song. Nothing truly disappointing, but nothing really inspired either. Naturally, I'll reserve judgment until I hear the whole record, but I hope that this isn't the best song it has to offer. Nice cover, though.
You can make your own conclusions about the song since Epic Records is offering it as a free download here. Give it a listen.
Alex,
ReplyDeleteI have deleted your comment as well as mine because, despite my knee-jerk reaction to your insult, I promised when I started this blog that I would not let it devolve into the kind of juvenile bullshit that's driven me away from a lot of sites.
If you are not just a drive-by insulter and do indeed return to this site, know that if you repost your thoughts in a civil manner that might encourage an intelligent exchange of ideas, I will be happy to post them.
Ok, ok, I didn't mean to offend for real. It's just plain funny that english is not my mother tongue and I can clearly hear "Nostradamus he is avenged" and you can't. Moron actually was meant as silly you :)
ReplyDeleteNo problem. Around here moron's an insult, though, and I just thought that was a bit unneccessary.
ReplyDeleteLike I said in my edit above I've abused my ears for 25 of their 35 years, and I'll admit that, listening on an Internet stream, they're not as sharp as they used to be. I generally doublecheck lyrics before I quote them, but there wasn't any reference for those.
It was unnecessary and the lyrics ARE a bit cheesy. But JP would never go to "D&D standards" in their lyric-making. Halford has a distinct accent, maybe it's what confused you in the first place.
ReplyDeleteThey
ReplyDeleteNever broke my will
Cause my heart was strong
They won't justify
Condemnation
My vindication
But i will survive
Stood my ground
Till the end
Engaged the enemy
Protect my friends
Nostradamus
Tamed the beast
They sent to kill
The congregation
Never broke my will
Nostradamus
Nostradamus
He has overcome
He can take the throne
Nostradamus
Vindication
Nostradamus
Is avenged
Nostradamus
Our salvation
Nostradamus
He's avenged
I walked through fire
To justify
Their inquisitions
All condemned to die
Nostradamus
Nostradamus
Adversity
On which i thrived
Destroys the altar
Now i'm vilified
Nostradamus
Nostradamus
He has seized the day
He is here to stay
Nostradamus
Vindication
Nostradamus
Is avenged
Nostradamus
Our salvation
Nostradamus
He's avenged
Vindication
He has been avenged
They
Never broke my will
Because my heart was strong
They can't justify
I will survive
He has overpowered
It's his finest hour
Nostradamus
Vindication
Nostradamus
Is avenged
Nostradamus
Our salvation
Nostradamus
He's avenged
Nostradamus
Nostradamus
Nostradamus
Nostradamus
And here is my actual transcription of the lyrics. Should be fairly accurate.