Halford--Live Insurrection (2001/Metal-Is)
Rating--9.5
Stained Class--RealAudio Screaming in the Dark--RealAudio
Capitolizing on the energy and success of his recently-completed world tour with Iron Maiden, Rob Halford and his bandmates unleash a double-CD collection chock
full of ripping, classic metal. There are tracks from the band's 'Resurrection' disc, there's Fight material, and there's also a generous spackling of Priest cuts-- including several that
haven't seen the "live" light of day in over a decade. Rob himself sounds better than ever. In fact, he matches his performance from 1979's 'Unleashed in the East,' proving
that he is indeed the Metal God.
The three Japanese bonus tracks from 'Resurrection' are presented in a live forum, and there are also three new cuts-- one penned by
the Halford band, and two others written (but never recorded) back during Priest's mid-80s heyday.
Disc One kicks the fest off with pure energy, as "Resurrection" and
"Made in Hell" offer an electric one-two punch. The wailing Fight tracks "Into the Pit" and "Nailed to the Gun" follow, with the latter whipping the crowd into a fervor.
"Light Comes to Black" originally appeared on the 'Buffy' soundtrack (with Pantera alongside), and drops low for some nasty churning. Several Priest rarities rear
their heads in the forms of the caustic "Stained Class," 'Defenders of the Faith's' "Jawbreaker," and "Running Wild" from the 'Hell Bent For Leather' album.
From the
aforementioned Japanese disc come the screechers "Hell's Last Survivor" and "Sad Wings," and the more paced "Saviour".
The second CD doesn't allow you to
catch your breath, as "Cyberworld" inches open the door, and then gives way to "Hellion/Electric Eye"-- where the crowd shows its thanks through its rabid participation.
The archives are cracked once again for "Riding on the Wind" and "Genocide," and "Metal Gods" has some great end-song screaming by Rob. Solid cuts "Breaking
the Law" and "Tyrant" follow suit and close out the show, leaving all in attendance sated in metal bliss.
"Screaming in the Dark" is a new studio track that will likely appear on the band's
next release, and it rips in pure 'Painkiller' style. "Heart of a Lion" is an older track with a sound around 'DOTF,' perhaps, and "Prisoner of Your Eyes" is a slower offering.
In all, this is an extrememly complete and satisfying release. Halford sounds great, songs are performed from four (!!!) different decades, and we're also given a taste of
what's to come. Rock on, Rob...
TRACK LIST: DISC ONE-- Resurrection/Made in Hell/Into the Pit/Nailed to the Gun/Light Comes out of Black/Stained Class/Jawbreaker/Running Wild/Slow Down/
The One You Love to Hate/Life in Black/Hell's Last Survivor/Sad Wings/Saviour/Silent Screams
DISC TWO-- Cyberworld/The Hellion/Electric Eye/Riding on the Wind/
Genocide/Beyond the Realms of Death/Metal Gods/Breaking the Law/Tyrant/Screaming in the Dark/Heart of a Lion/Prisoner of Your Eyes
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