Judas Priest makes a quick and strong followup to its 1997 'Jugulator' release with by far the band's most "live" disc ever. '98LM has
very few overdubs, and is tension-packed behind the support of strong European crowds, bottom-heavy guitar crunch, and
pure energy throughout. This overshadows 'Unleashed in the East' and 'Priest...Live!' by far-- In shear, simple terms of emotion and
honesty towards the band's in-concert form. With new vocalist Tim "Ripper" Owens at the helm, his deeper vocal
tendencies are more noticable here than in the studio. However, he can still hit any high notes he pleases.
A number of songs come
across as top highlights... Near the apex is the revamped and adrenaline-injected "Rapid Fire," which is a high-pitched vocal
shred-fest. "Diamonds and Rust" is performed in excellent acoustic-to-electric fashion, and Owens' final note scream is perhaps
tops in the entire set. His vocals on the song are hallowed and mystic, and most impressive "The Green Manalishi" features an amazing
blend of crunching power and an overwhelming crowd, "Painkiller" is nonstop with another chanting rhythm at the onset, and
"Hell Bent for Leather" is tight and rapid. Other songs which shine through-and-through include the set-opener "Electric Eye,"
"Victim of Changes," "Living After Midnight," "The Sentinel," and the suprisingly good "Metal Meltdown." New songs
"Bloodstained," "Burn in Hell," and "Death Row" show that the masses know the words and can sing along, as
acceptance for 'Jugulator' is growing. In all, a
tremendous tribute to live performance. The band doesn't sugarcoat the recordings, which to many fans means the world. Solid,
solid, solid.
TRACK LIST: DISC ONE--The Hellion/Electric Eye/Metal Gods/Grinder/Rapid Fire/Blood Stained/The Sentinel/Touch of Evil/Burn
in Hell/The Ripper/Bullet Train/Beyond the Realms of Death/Death Row
DISC TWO--Metal Meltdown/Night Crawler/Abductors/Victim of Changes/Diamonds & Rust/Breaking the Law/The Green
Manalishi (With the Two-Pronged Crown)/Painkiller/You've Got Another Thing Comin'/Hell Bent For Leather/Living After
Midnight
Rapid Fire--RealAudio 
Judas Priest makes a quick and strong followup to its 1997 'Jugulator' release with by far the band's most "live" disc ever. '98LM has
very few overdubs, and is tension-packed behind the support of strong European crowds, bottom-heavy guitar crunch, and
pure energy throughout. This overshadows 'Unleashed in the East' and 'Priest...Live!' by far-- In shear, simple terms of emotion and
honesty towards the band's in-concert form.