Redeemer of Souls: Rob Halford Credit: Gary Miller

Says a lot about a band when their new material, normally the worst part of any show, doesn’t measure up to its classic hits, yet still sounds better than most songs made by people half their age. So it goes with true pros hitting targets with their eyes closed. Judas Priest has been doing it a long, long time.

Redeemer of Souls: Rob Halford Credit: Gary Miller

Since the millennium, it’s no secret that at least in the live arena, Priest frontman Rob Halford hasn’t maintained the range he once screamed. Nevertheless, he remains a vocalist of superhuman ability. He can sing the first three lines of every tune offstage, then stroll slowly into view wearing wearing leather, denim, a kimono, and spandex, and it doesn’t even matter.

Numbers off the new Redeemer of Souls were okay, but in a catalog as deep as that of this UK quintet (founded 1969), four songs is two too many. The title track came off best, but it couldn’t compare to a deep cut such as Screaming for Vengeance favorite “Devil’s Child.” Either way, the rest of the set arrived designed at pacing Halford’s voice for maximum mileage.

Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

The Judas Priest that now tours beyond its final world trek sports a new guitarist in Richie Faulkner, who’s much younger than the rest of the band. Original guitarist Glenn Tipton seemed sleepy, but finally showed up in a ripping version of “Beyond the Realms of Death.” These guys are still in perfect control of the machine.

Beyond the Realms of Death: Glenn Tipton Credit: Gary Miller

Devil’s Child: Ian Hill, Judas Priest bassist since 1970 Credit: Gary Miller

A decade ago, the tank was on “E” for this Birmingham brigade. Over and out. Except as proved by a first-night headlining slot at Fun Fun Fun, Judas Priest retains enough juice to get us all home.

Set-list, Auditorium Shores, Nov. 7, 2014

“Dragonaut”
“Metal Gods”
“Devil’s Child”
“Victim of Changes”
“Halls of Valhalla”
“Love Bites”
“March of the Damned”
“Turbo Lover”
“Redeemer of Souls”
“Beyond the Realms of Death”
“Jawbreaker”
“Breaking the Law”
“Hell Bent for Leather”
“You Got Another Thing Coming”
“Living After Midnight”
“Defenders of the Faith

Check out our complete Fun Fun Fun Fest coverage.

This article appears in November 7 • 2014.

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