Redeemer of Souls Tour
May 20th, 2015
Saxon
Judas Priest
Council Bluffs, Iowa
May 20th, 2015
In my short time on Earth, I have been witness to almost a thousand bands shredding on stage during a concert. Naively, I thought tonight would be no different. Just another rock show. I was wrong.
Stir Concert Cove is a unique venue, but not typically known for hosting heavy metal concerts. By the time I’d gotten there, the lower amphitheater was already packed full of fans. Not the typical fans I’d expect though. Honestly, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I had no idea how receptive the fans were going to be.
Saxon would be opening tonight’s show. Saxon formed in 1976, and were pivotal amongst the British Heavy Metal scene in the late 1970’s. During the band’s first national tour, almost 40 years ago, they opened for Judas Priest. Though I was not familiar with much of their music, the crowd was.
As the band shredded on stage, vocalist and founder Peter Byford conducted the crowd like a veteran. The stage presence of the band was nothing short of amazing. To see these 5 men, almost old enough to be my grandparents, still making music that is powerful and relevant is something all bands should aspire too.
Byford, at age 64, still has a commanding stage presence. The band’s 11 song set lasted for almost an hour. Giving Saxon the time allowed for a headlining set was something that Judas Priest didn’t have to do on this tour, but it was a blessing to have Saxon perform such an in depth set.
I grew up in the 80’s on the likes of Queen, KISS and Judas Priest. As the 90’s rolled around, my tastes changed to Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson, White Zombie and Smashing Pumpkins. I’d joked about wearing my “I’m Not Gay But My Boyfriend Is” t-shirt to the show, but I wasn’t sure how well that’d go over. Tonight would be my first time seeing Judas Priest live, but not the first time I’d seen Rob Halford on stage. That was back in 1998 when Halford and guitarist John5 were on tour with his industrial metal band 2WO, supporting the band’s debut album Voyuers. The Trent Reznor produced album is still one of my favorite releases, even after all these years. Halford, no matter what band he’s touring with, is a true showman, and there was no doubt from anyone at tonight’s show that Judas Priest wouldn’t put on one of the greatest live shows we’ve ever seen.
As the giant LCD screens burst to life, the band took the stage to the appropriate intro of Battle Cry, and kicked into Dragonaut. Halford then hobbled on stage bracing himself up with a cane. This was, of course, just for show.
Not the type of band to just stand on stage and play music, Judas Priest utilized the LCD screens surrounding drummer Scott Travis for their entire set. Norse warriors, dragons, even zombies marched across the screens that ran the full length of the stage. To be honest, my favorite part of the band’s set was during March of the Damned. As the band was thrashing around the stage, and Halford was conducting the crowd like a Grand Marshal, scenes from AMC’s The Walking Dead flashed across the screens. At other times, a horde of zombies shambled their way across.
I will admit to owning only a few of Judas Priest’s tracks in the digital form. I am more of a fan of Halford’s work with John 5, but I grew up in a household that echoed the likes of Judas Priest, KISS and Queen. I appreciate the “classic” metal musicians that inspired the bands that I hold dear today.
That being said, seeing Judas Priest live gave me a whole new appreciation for not only the band but for this genre of music. For nearly an hour and a half, these Lords of Metal thrashed a few thousand people with a splendid selection of tracks that ranged their entire music catalogue. If Rob Halford, and man who’s been performing for nearly four decades, can put on a 17 song set, there’s no reason that artists 1/3 his age can’t do the same. Judas Priest has mastered the art of putting on a spectacular stage show. You’d be a fool to miss them the next time they roll through your city.
Saxon set list;
Motorcycle Man
Sacrifice
Power and the Glory
Wheels of Steel
20,000 Ft
Dallas 1 PM
This Town Rocks
Princess of the Night
Crusader
Heavy Metal Thunder
Denim and Leather
Judas Priest set list;
War Pigs – Black Sabbath (Recorded Intro)
Battle Cry (Recorded Intro)
Dragonaut
Metal Gods
Devil’s Child
Victim of Changes
Halls of Valhalla
Love Bites
March of the Damned
Turbo Lover
Redeemer of Souls
Beyond the Realms of Death
Jawbreaker
Breaking the Law
Hell Bent for Leather
Encore;
The Hellion (Intro)
Electric Eye
You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’
Encore 2;
Painkiller
Living After Midnight
Beginning of the End (recorded outro)
