If the name weren't enough to give it away, how bout the site of Mr. Halford, clad in leather and shades, poised righteously back on the Harley he so fittingly featured during his days fronting Priest… but wait there's more!

The foreboding introduction of "Resurrection"-eerie in almost a "Night Crawler" sense where you just know any moment there's going to be a torrential downpour unleashed on all the banging heads who've waited many long years for this moment to arrive-and arrive it does, in a big and bad way!

Admittedly getting away from the despondent look of Heavy Metal music for a time, this is Rob Halford's return to his metal roots-a long awaited and welcome return to exactly where he needs to be and the album absolutely smokes.

The "Metal God" has in effect taken the best moments of classic Priest and willfully revved much of it up to where he and his former band were at way back around the "Defenders of the Faith" and "Painkiller" era!

Where does "Turbo" fit in there, considering it did exist nearly the same time?

Absolutely nowhere!

And there's no left over samples, loops or dance beats from Rob's ill-advised tampering with NIN music!

Production talents go to none other than Roy Z, earlier known for bringing the beast back out in Bruce Dickinson's solo work, while Halford's assembled a cast of virtually unknown talent to not only reinvent himself but reinterpret the true nature that once was Judas Priest-"Locked and Loaded," "Nightfall," which is one of the best songs he's come up with in years, and one of the real blazer's of the bunch, "The One You Love to Hate" which features a searing vocal tradeoff between he and Mr. Dickinson-nothing more really needs be said of this other than it's pure brilliance… a metal massacre that should fly right off the hard radio charts!

The guitar riffs get low down and dirty reminiscent of Halford's work with Fight several years ago and so from the modern sense, it shreds!

"Cyber World" tears a page right off the "Painkiller" album as it warns of the impending tragedy of human consumption in the modern age…

We can go on and on here but the truth is we don't have to. You already know this blows away anything he's done in years-yes, this could very well be like the next logical progression to where he and Priest left off back in 1990-"Resurrection," many have used it, many have written of it, but never has it meant more to an artist or the fans than it does right now!

Sanctuary Records: http://www.sanctuaryrecordsgroupgroup.com/

Review by Vinnie Apicella [va85@columbia.edu]

When Rob Halford announced his return to the world of Metal he did so with one of the most definitive albums of his career, the phenomenally heavy “RESURRECTION.”

“RESURRECTION” was an album so uncompromised and so unlike anything else available at the time that by halfway through its promotional tour it was obvious that a live recording simply had to be made to preserve the magic that was being created each night.

“LIVE INSURRECTION” is the double disc documentation of that tour and a testament to the true power and longevity of Metal.

Recorded at various (annoyingly unnamed!) locations throughout the world these live recordings represent the greatest hits and more of the most distinguishable voice in all of Heavy Metal but this is no solo venture as the bands name may at first blush indicate.

“LIVE INSURRECTION” is as much a band showcase as any JUDAS PRIEST album ever was. Going beyond merely backing Halford, the singer, HALFORD, the band is hands down the most threatening force in the business today, listen and hear for yourself.

The guitars, Mike Chlasciak and Patrick Lachman, at once slash indiscriminately and with surgical precision leaving a meaty pulp further minced by the rhythm section of Bobby Jarzombek (drums) and Ray Riendeau (bass).

On top of all this the group’s leader and namesake applies an acidic dressing of sonics so intense that canines a continent away yelp in pain at each play.

With the exception of his TWO works each phase of Halford’s career is represented here with particular emphasis on both HALFORD and JUDAS PRIEST material.

If you are familiar with either band you could probably have put the majority of the set list together but there are a few surprises and rarities here that you are not likely to hear anywhere else.

First off there are a total of five “new” HALFORD tracks that have never seen the light of day before now. Two of these tracks, “Light Comes out of Black” and “Life in Black,” were recorded live on tour though not in front of an audience, that is to say, at soundchecks.

The other three tracks which follow the live portion of these two grand discs, “Screaming in the Dark,” “Heart of a Lion” and “Prisoner of Your Eyes,” are studio recordings from the “RESURRECTION” album sessions that were polished up for this release.

Also unique to this disc is a live version of “The One You Love to Hate” with special guest Bruce Dickinson recorded in London.

If you missed the “RESURRECTION” tour then this collection comes as close to having been there as you could hope for.

For those who did make it out to the gigs a better scrapbook of Heavy Metal memories could not be assembled for you. In either case this is a vital record by a vital band demanding to be bought and played extremely loud.

Released by Metal-Is Records

Review by David Lee

The aftermath of one of Metal's most anticipated and warmly received comebacks, "Live Insurrection" is the culmination of the mammoth tour undertaken by Mr. Halford and his band of current and future stars.

Recorded during numerous stops along his "Resurrection" 2000/2001 tour, this double-disc set includes an incredible 27 tracks spanning the vocalists thirty year performing history with a number of rare and unexpected thrown in the mix ending off with three new studio tracks.

Heading off what was one of the biggest Metal tours in recent years and onward through a number of major festivals, the live music is indeed a true testament to this band's power and acclaim-the listening purist even could not find much to complain about in spite of the high degree of post-production nuances thrown in for effect.

But for anyone that didn't catch the resurging front man, still at the peak of performance amazingly after all these years and directional flux, "Live Insurrection" embodies all the power and precision of an elite band with a definite future.

Covering several eventual classics from his stellar "Resurrection" studio disc from last year, the set opens naturally with the album's opening duo, "Resurrection," a booming and highly flammable number that sets the crowd into an immediate roar before "Made In Hell," slows the pace slightly though no less boldly.

Digging into the not so deep vault for two Fight classics "Into The Pit," and "Nailed To The Gun," from Halford's first successful post-Priest Hard-Core attempt, "War of Words."

Not surprising however that nothing from the follow up Fight studio record "A Small Deadly Space" which had an equal amount of excellent work though less direct than the latter which might explain its apparently perceived shortcomings related to the first…

But anyway, Halford digs a little deeper for his first solo cut "Light Comes Out Of Black" which obviously none in the audience have forgotten though would've had enough of a right to do so-not a bad song but after all, not of the most memorable variety-but once you hear it right away it comes back.

One of the records shining moments besides the wealth of old Priest classics they perform, is the incredible duet first featured on the "Resurrection" release with Bruce Dickinson and "The One You Love To Hate!"

Brought about from an earlier sound check and tied together from an engaging London performance, how's this for a highlight, here or at any point in the future pairing two of Metal's greatest vocalists on one vindictively aggressive song for the masses.

It's understood by anyone in the know the type of raw talent involved in producing the Halford sound but for anyone as yet unfamiliar, there's not even the hint of shortcoming, within their own material, Rob's or Priest themselves-expect no void where such classics as "Stained Class," "Running Wild," or even "Sad Wings of Destiny" are concerned, the translations are immaculate.

The tandem of the gifted Mike Chlasciak, a respected guitarist in his own right and Patrick Lachman lead the double ax attack as powerfully and precise as Tipton and Downing in their prime.

And still there's another disc to go…

Highlights here include the expected "The Hellion-Electric Eye," where the crowd, assumed to be in the hundreds of thousands here lend their own voice to the intro, "Riding On The Wind," and believe it or not, "Genocide..." basically all early Priest tracks after beginning with "Cyberworld" from the last disc.

The three additional studio songs feature one brand new, "Screaming In The Dark," which features a riveting percussive effect and typically blazing guitar work while Halford screams, naturally, his guts out-probably not the monumental finale we'd have hoped for but definitely in line with the rest of their studio work last year.

Also, re-worked versions of earlier songs that never arrived before, "Heart Of A Lion," which many of you may remember as originally written by Priest but originally recorded by Racer-X for their "Second Heat" release and finally performed by the man himself-what took so long-and a slower, gentler closing in "Prisoner Of Your Eyes" which if I didn't know better I'd have sworn first appeared on that very same Racer-X album!

This one's not bad, different guitar sound, very much in the classic Priest tradition, simple chord progressions and dark, dreary "Beyond the Realms…" type verse.

What else can be said-Priest fans aren't missing anything with the new Halford material and basically "Live Insurrection" is the right record at the right moment for this inspired return for the Metal God!

Released by Metal-Is Records

Review by Vinnie Apicella [va85@columbia.edu]
______________________________
METAL STORM PRODUCTIONS
Vinnie Apicella P.O. Box 763 Brewster, NY 10509 845-669-9470

ROB HALFORD VOCALS
PATRICK LACHMAN GUITARS
MIKE CHLASCIAK GUITARS
RAY RENDEAU BASS
BOBBY JARZOMBECK DRUMS

1. Park Manor
2. Crucible
3. One Will
4. Betrayal
5. Handing Out Bullets
6. Hearts Of Darkness
7. Crystal *Bonus Tracks*
8. Heretic *Fugitive*
9. Golgotha *She*
10. Wrath Of Gods
11. Weaving Of Sorrow
12. Sun
13. Trail Of Tears

He is the undisputed God of (fucking) metal, he has ridden the changes his world has undergone over the past 30 years, he is Rob Halford. In the fantasyland that is metal, Halford is my ruler and I am but a mere worm, a pox-infested peasant, a nothing, all kneel and praise for you are not worthy!

No one has provided a more unifying force, or embodied the continuity that offers metalheads such a unique sense of family. Rob Halford's new album 'Crucible' is set to prove itself as one of the strongest he has released since his departure from Judas Priest.

While his previous release 'Resurrection' was a reaffirmation of those classic metal values, 'Crucible' expands upon it. The full on metal aural assaults are scattered around more mid-paced epics and anthems such as 'Sun' & 'Hearts Of Darkness'. With its strong, in places, Ozzy feel that evokes the full magic of Judas Priest of years gone by still with the pure dramatic rock vibe as well as the lightning fast bits.

This album has, oh, so many new textures and takes Halford's music to a new plateau bringing out the best from the musicians in his employ. Patrick Lachman and Mike Chlasciak are more than capable guitarists, Ray Riendeau on bass and Bobby Jarzombeck on drums who Rob describes himself as "the best heavy metal drummer I know."

Funny, I seem to remember him saying something similar about a certain Scott Travis!

Give Rob credit though, he sure does know how to get the best out of all those who work with him and has a certain knack for finding the most outstanding band members going (no disrespect intended to all the other bands and musicians out there).

There is not an awful lot to explain about 'Crucible' but that it is a Rob Halford album, and what you would normally expect from him he delivers, fucking stupendous metal songs. Fans of the man will undoubtedly snap this up, those of you who are new to the experience will want more and more. There are no highlights to the album as it's all bloody excellent. But if I had to pick one tune I think I'd go for 'Golgotha'.

www.robhalford.com

Review by Chris Wheeler