Tag Archives: Judas Priest

Deep Purple and Judas Priest in Bethel Woods

After seeing Roger Daltry play all of Tommy, I planned on returning for Deep Purple and Judas Priest, two of my childhood favorites.  I met up at Rock Fantasy with many of the area’s metal heads and we tailgated in three cars at this was a big event for us.

When we got there, we chilled in the parking lot for a few hours before heading up. I sat on the lawn with a few of our metal buddies but it was close enough to see the stage fine. At around 8 p.m. the first band went on.

Temperance Movement 

 

 

 

The first band on was an indie/ blues rock called the Temperance Movement. They were pretty, meh and not much memorable at all.

Judas Priest

 

I have had see Priest twice. The first time was with Thin Lizzy and Black Label Society (who sucked greatly) and they blew me away. The second time was three years later after that and did the same.

This time was no different.

They played a few tracks from their new album, Firepower, as well as many classics including, “Painkiller,” “You got another Thing Coming,” “Sinner,” “Breaking the Law,” “Freewheel Burning,” and Desert Plains” (last two being the first time I heard them live).

The energy they had was great and they ended up ruling the night that night.

Deep Purple 

 

 

I was excited to finally see Purple after being a fan since 8th grade.

It got even more nostalgic when they opened up with “Highway Star,” the song that got me into them. They then went into a selection of deep cuts including, “Bloodsucker,” “Pictures of Home” and “Sometimes I feel like Screaming”. They then would play many hits in a row including “Knocking at Your Back Door,” “Perfect Stranger,” “Space Trucking,” “Smoke on the Water” and then encoring with “Hush.”

They looked pretty aged and didn’t have a super large amount of energy, but the sound was great and was a great conclusion to this summers set of concerts.

 

 

Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and Ozzy Era Black Sabbath Halloween Tribute Show Haunts Brian’s Backyard BBQ

A party went on this Halloween at Montgomery, NY restaurant Brian’s Backyard BBQ. This (free) party included a costume contest, an outside haunted house and three tribute bands covering Black Sabbath, Judas Priest and Iron Maiden classics.

Normally I don’t go out of my way to see cover bands but a free show with tributes to three of metal’s greats only five minutes away was something I just couldn’t pass up.

After a party with co-workers I picked up an older metalhead, my buddy Jay and his friend. After a short car ride consisting of jokes about Danzig making a Christmas album we got to the venue for some great music.

British Steel

First up was the Priest cover band British Steel. My friend Branden and I went close to the stage when it was their time to get on. We were joined by several people including a drunken old woman.

After the band started their set with one of Priests newer songs “Dragonaut,” they then went into classics such as “Nightcrawler,” “Painkiller,” “Breaking the Law” and “Metal Gods.”

What impressed me the most was when they played “Free Wheel Burning.” I’ve seen Priest twice and they didn’t play it either time.

While not as good as Priest (obviously), the band did a good job playing the songs and was able to get the crowd going.

Never Say Die

Next up were Never Say Die – an Ozzy era Black Sabbath tribute.

Though the band was called “Never Say Die,” they didn’t play any songs from that album (thankfully). Instead, they opted for a mix of deep cuts and hits.

I was glad I got to hear some of my Ozzy era favorites such as “Wicked World,” “Snowblind,” “N.I.B” and “Children of the Grave.” The crowd was pleased with “War Pigs” and “Paranoid” (yet no “Iron Man”).

The crowd was a little more drunk than at this point, with drunk old ladies grabbing Branden (not making this up).

The band sounded great and I was glad that the singer didn’t fully try to copy Ozzy. Since I’ll be seeing the real Sabbath in February, lets see which band has the better set list.

Sanctuary

The final band of the night was the Iron Maiden tribute Sanctuary.

They played “Caught Somewhere in Time,” “Flash of the Blade” and “Flight of Icarus” before the band took a break for the costume contest.

While I felt the hot girl dressed as a dragon ninja was the best, somehow an old lady dressed as a banana won. After the contest Sanctuary  went back to playing.

They played many more greats such as “Powerslave,” the new single “Speed of Light,” “Phantom of the Opera” and “Wrathchild.”

Sanctuary did such an awesome job covering Maiden’s songs to the point where if you were blindfolded you’d think it was the real deal. The singer would even talk to the audience in a British accent and acted like Bruce Dickinson on stage.

It was starting to get late and I had work the next day so I didn’t stay for the whole thing. I did however, stay long enough for my favorite Maiden song “Hallowed Be Thy” name which sounded epic.

Winter Calling: As Darkness Falls Review

Winter Calling is a progressive metal band from Florida, but you’d never be able to tell with their widely influenced brand of music on their self-released debut, “As Darkness Falls.”

The album (which can be streamed, bought and shared though the bands official website)  is an emotional journey spanning accross 11 songs, including a unique piano-based cover of Iron Maiden’s “Wasted Years.” Highlights include the opening track “A World I Can Feel,” the power-groovy “Forever” and the single “The Stand” (for which the video can be viewed below).

“As Darkness Falls” contains complex ballad-esque arrangements backed with ambient keyboards that uniquely provide the foundation for the music. “Forever,” “Make it Rain” and the “Wasted Years” rendition largely reflect on this rarely traveled route.

Although Winter Callings vocals and guitars are a hybrid of Queensryche, early Helloween, and Dream Theater, that’s not to say they aren’t unique. Ian Medhurst (guitars) and  Chris Hodges (vocals) sonically feed off of each others energy throughout their debut – a prime example of what a guitarist and singer pairing should be.

“As Darkness Falls” is a solid debut from an independent band trying to make a name for themselves in Winter Calling. While the slower pace is not for everyone, it is a calm, refreshing offering for the wandering spirit in all of us.