Priest...Live! 10/24/98

Article by Michael C. Merrill
Scene One: Under The Influence

Judas Priest is easily one of the most influential bands in metal’s history. They’ve covered everything from fist-pumping anthems to skull-crushing riffs, and everything in between. Most twin guitar attacks almost always cite Priest as an influence, as well as those powerful vocalists trying to reach the high notes. Judas Fu*#ing Priest. Yeah man...

From the beginning of my interest in metal, Priest has always been the focal point of what I have compared every band to. "Are they Priest-like?" "Is the vocalist as good as Rob?" "Do they have that Painkiller style distortion?" Questions like these are scattered over my search for great metal. While there are a few bands that match the pure force and energy of Priest, the band has always managed find their way to the top of the heap. The past few years have been crucial for metal’s survival. After a short hiatus after the departure of vocalist Rob Halford, the band was given new life with former Winters Bane frontman Tim Owens. With the release of ‘Jugulator’, the Ripper was born...
I am very sorry to say that it was not until this past year on the ‘Jugulator’ tour that Andy and I were able to see one of our favorite bands in action. A five hour drive wasn’t about to stop us from seeing these guys. The concert turned out to be one of the best we’ve seen in recent years. When the chance came again recently in Myrtle Beach at the fabulous House Of Blues, we couldn’t pass it up.
Scene Two: The 4 hour drive

Stopping in a great cd store with hard to find discs and imports is not the way I suggest to start a journey. So $100 bucks in the hole, we get on track and hook up with two old friends of Andy’s, Jay and Evans. Checking into the hotel came first, followed by a well deserved beer(s) and the Wolfpack loosing a disappointing game. "House Of Blues won’t open until 8? What now?" Where we went next is not really important, is it? Let’s just say we spent a lot of ones...

Scene Three: The Opening Act

We arrived at the House Of Blues in time to catch about half of Moon Dog Mane’s set. MDM is the new group with former Tesla guitar-wiz Frank Hannon. I had heard a lot about their Aerosmith-meets-Lynryd Skynyrd sound and was curious as to how this "leather rebel" crowd would accept it. To our surprise the Priest crowd (and ourselves) rather enjoyed them, especially getting a rise out of all by playing Tesla’s "Changes". Just so happens to be one of my favorite Tesla tracks (God rest their soul!). They were pretty good, but we didn’t drive this far to see the opening act...(insert evil grin here...)

Scene Four: Saturday Night and the Priest Is Back...

Moving our way to about 5 feet from the stage, we settled in for a metal feast. The music quieted down. The roar came. The curtain rises. Beware the Priest! "The Hellion/Electric Eye"! Here is the set list:
The Hellion/Electric Eye/Metal Gods/Rapid Fire/Blood Stained/The Sentinel/A Touch of Evil/Burn in Hell/The Ripper/Beyond the Realms of Death/ Nightcrawler/Diamonds and Rust (acoustic to electric)/Victim of Changes/Breaking The Law/The Green Manalishi/Painkiller/You've Got Another Thing Comin'/Hell Bent For Leather/Living After Midnight

They pretty much stuck to the ’98 Meltdown routine with Ripper’s on stage antics and quirky quotes, but man can this dude get up! The one thing about Ripper Owens that is incredible to me is he makes this stuff look effortless. No microphone gripping, sweating on the floor, burning to get the high notes out---just plain singing his balls off. Ian stood right in front of his amp, head and hair spinning rapidly as usual. Tipton and Downing looked like they were having the time of their lives (I know we were). The live sound of their guitars is fine on disc, but to hear it in person? Shred! The ungodly Scott Travis never missed a beat. I’ve seen and heard a lot of drummers. This man is incredible. "Diamonds and Rust", "Touch of Evil", and "The Green Manilishi" were really enhanced by the crowd singing along. Ripper came out on the Harley to start up "Painkiller". They bashed out "Rapid Fire" and "The Sentinel" with excessive force. "Victim Of Changes" brought the house down. Man oh man!!

Your favorite group in concert and knowing every single lyric tends to make one a bit hoarse by the end of the evening. In fact, some of us are just now getting our voices back! Andy caught a Tipton pick (and a boot across the hand too!). All in all, I think it was much better than earlier this year. Just plain ripped! People, if Priest comes anywhere near you, I advise you to take notice. Such small intimate settings with such a huge band makes it all the more reason. Check out some dates, stock up on some cash (a lot preferably!), loosen the ol’ vocal chords on the way, and prepare to scream for vengeance! The Priest is back people. Andy, Evans, Jay, anytime you guys want to go again just say the word... "Now who ordered the Corona again?"

TGOS