A Tribute to Judas Priest: Legends of Metal--Volume II

A Tribute to Judas Priest: Legends of Metal--Volume II (1996) Rating--8.4

The second disc, and while containing some super songs (and have more original interpretations), not quite as consistent as the first. Still, though, both are musts for the serious Priest fan.
**Iced Earth--The Ripper
A very tight, well-played tune--a like it better than Mercyful Fate's, but maybe it's because I absolutely love Iced Earth. A different side to the band, as they aren't really allowed to cut loose like on their own material.
**Blind Guardian--Beyond the Realms of Death
A good tune, though the voice doesn't quite mesh. However, that's mainly because you come to expect the high-notes of a Halford with this song. Would be fine as an original BG tune...
**Heavens Gate--The Sentinel
One of a number of European bands I have on my list to try out. They do a good, though a bit reserved, job with this personal Priest fave.
**Nevermore--Love Bites
An absolutely great tune, as Warrel Dane and the boys really shake things up on this tongue-in-cheek classic. The complete tempo is changed, the chorus timing is altered, and more. But it's great!! This might be the one cover song which I like more than the original?!?...
**Gamma Ray (featuring Ralf Scheepers)--Exciter
The Gamma-boys return one disc two for another contribution, and as the intro says they bring back old pipester and Halford sound-alike Scheepers. A nice cover; I could think of about 20 or 30 other songs I would have rather heard him belt out, though. :-(
**Forbidden--Dissident Agressor
A power/thrash(?) band I've heard some really good things about, but as of yet have not had the pleasure of hearing. A good cover--a bit more breathable than the Slayer cover on 'South of Heaven'.
**Angra--Painkiller
This is another damn import-only band who I've heard but don't own. Pretty much a straight-forward rendition of the thrash classic, and the band plays it flawlessly.
**Overkill--Tyrant
Like the Testament cover on Disc One, this is a band and tune that had high expectations--but comes up short. Bobby Ellsworth doesn't sound like he does on his own discs--why not? He doesn't have the greatest range in the world, but he could have done this song more justice than is displayed here. Oh well...
**Kreator--Grinder
An absolute rip-fest. Kreator's first few tight, biting chords set the pace, and the song never lets up until the end. One of the two or three best covers in the entire collection--pure headbanging pleasure.
**Skyclad--Dreamer Deceiver
An interesting version, but as I'm not that familiar with Skyclad's music I can't really comment on expectations, etc. I like the original version much better, but mainly due to the vocal work.
**Stratovarius--Bloodstone
Another band whose work I would own if it didn't cost $20 a pop. A power/progressive unit, they do a refreshing job of updating this 1982 Priest cut.
**Virgin Steele--Screaming for Vengeance
I've heard this band compared to both Priest and Dokken, and that sounds like a good combo to me. But with most of the groups on this tribute endeaver, you can't really tell what the bands' own personal sounds are like. A nice cover, but not over-the-top; the music especially is a bit restrained.
**Leviathan--Night Comes Down
A band I haven't heard anything original from, and this slow-paced Priest tune from 'Defenders' doesn't allow much insight to their sound. Good music, but the chorus is a bit of a struggle.
Back to Various