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Back from vacation just in time for more Judas Priest DLC from Rock Band
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The Priest...is...back!
To paraphrase the immortal Harry Doyle, “in case you haven’t noticed, and judging by the attendance, you haven’t,” I’ve been on “vacation” since the beginning of July. I slapped the ol’ quotes on the word because vacation doesn’t quite have the same emotional impact when you’re unemployed. Instead, it becomes more of a week-long marathon of anxious guilt over the time you’re spending on the beach instead of hip-deep in your search for a new job. On the upside, I got to play some “Rock Band” with my 6-year-old nephews and found out that both of them know the full lyrics to “Livin’ on a Prayer.” It’s not quite as good as landing a new job, but it went a long way towards restoring my faith in the future of humanity.
It also convinced me to break my self-imposed moratorium on “Rock Band” articles. The Hell with it...you write what you know, and I play more "Rock Band" than any other game. That and the fact that I arrived back from my week or so off just in time for new downloadable content from the Metal Gods themselves, Judas Priest. The band (which takes its name from Bob Dylan’s “The Ballad of Frankie Lee and Judas Priest”) released a new live album yesterday: “A Touch of Evil: Live.” The new album is culled from live performances between 2005 and 2008, and by design focuses on old and new tracks that have not previously been recorded live (at least not with Rob Halford back in the driver’s seat). The three-track “Judas Priest Pack 01” represents a decent little cross-section of downloadable content from the new album.
First up is “Eat Me Alive,” from 1984’s “Defenders of the Faith.” Those of a certain age (my age, in other words) may remember that this song once took the honorable spot of #3 on Tipper Gore and the P.M.R.C.’s “Filthy Fifteen,” their list of the fifteen most objectionable songs (I am proud to say I own all but two). For all the hubbub, it’s a Priest tune that’s fallen off my radar in recent years, and it’s one that's a lot of fun to play. As with most Priest tunes, it’s not the song that earns it a "5-Devils" rating on guitar, it’s the solo. If you can handle Joan Jett’s “Bad Reputation” on Expert guitar, then there’s nothing in the bulk of the song that will give you fits. The solo is brutal though, and it’s a long one. Even a full tank of Overdrive only carried my sorry butt to about 17%. Beware.
Next is a great, lesser known choice: “Dissident Aggressor,” from 1977’s “Sin After Sin.” Produced by Deep Purple's Roger Glover, this is the album that gave us Priest’s legendary version of Joan Baez’s “Diamonds and Rust,” as well as their only real ballad, “Last Rose of Summer.” Despite supporting it with a U.S. tour as an opener for...wait for it...REO Speedwagon, it’s an album that hasn’t gotten a whole lot of attention in concert. Since it took Priest 31 years to play “Dissident Aggressor” live at all, it’s a treat to get it in “Rock Band” form as well. Nothing too hard here for guitar or bass; just an intense, overlooked classic from the vaults.
Last up is “Prophecy,” from the band’s most recent studio album, the 2-disc (too long?) “Nostradamus.” With the exception of the solo (surprise, surprise), this is probably the easiest of the three tracks. It’s a lot of single-note runs into chords, but nothing that’s going to stretch your pinky too badly. The bass part is your standard Ian Hill run; just go straight ahead and try not to get distracted and start thinking about balancing your check book. I haven’t had a chance to delve into the drum or vocal parts, but if you know your Priest then you know the hazards of trying to emulate Scott Travis or Rob Halford. Try not to strain anything. Luciano Pavarotti didn't call Rob Halford "the greatest vocalist of all time" for nothing (of course, Pavarotti may not have called him that at all....it's one of those widely circulated tales, but ended up being mysteriously difficult to nail down with a solid source).
Looking at the other tracks they could have chosen to promote the new live disc, (“Between the Hammer and the Anvil” would have been quite nice, thank you very much) the inclusion of “Prophecy” smacks of a contractual obligation to include at least one new tune. After years of hype, many Priest fans considered “Nostradamus” a bit of an overwrought, plodding disappointment. Considering the band’s scrapped plans for playing the whole thing live, they may even feel the same. Instead, Priest is out on the road this summer celebrating the 30th anniversary of their “British Steel” album by playing it in its entirey as the centerpiece of their nightly set. “British Steel” may not be their best album, but it’s certainly good enough that I’m willing to overlook the fact that it doesn’t actually turn 30 until April 2010.
My best guess is that they want to space things out so no one accuses them of milking the concept when they tour for the 30th anniversary of “Screaming for Vengeance” in 2012.
Tracks are $1.99 (160 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) per track, $5.49 (440 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) for “Judas Priest Pack 01.”
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