Audio CD review:
Judas Priest - '98 Live Meltdown

Judas Priest - '98 Live Meltdown

Band: Judas Priest Title: '98 Live Meltdown Rating: Release Date: 1998-09-29 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: The Hellion 2: Electric Eye - Judas Priest, Downing, K.K. 3: Metal Gods 4: Grinder 5: Rapid Fire 6: Blood Stained 7: The Sentinel 8: Touch of Evil 9: Burn in Hell 10: The Ripper - Judas Priest, Halford, Rob 11: Bullet Train 12: Beyond the Realms of Death - Judas Priest, Halford, Rob 13: Death Row 14: Metal Meltdown 15: Night Crawler 16: Abductors 17: Victim of Changes 18: Diamonds and Rust - Judas Priest, Baez, Joan 19: Breaking the Law 20: Green Manalishi (With the Two-Pronged Crown) - Judas Priest, Green, Peter [1] 21: Painkiller 22: You've Got Another Thing Comin' 23: Hell Bent for Leather 24: Living After Midnight

My favorite LIVE metal album While Rob Halford was busy informing the world he was gay and meandering with his band Two, Judas Priest forged ahead by taking advantage of Tim "Ripper" Owens, a killer metal vocalist from NE Ohio. This live 2-cd set was released in 1998, one year after the release of the kick-arse JUGULATOR. Obviously, if you're an uber-Halford fan and closed-minded toward Priest's stellar material with Ripper on vox, you might want to pass on this release. If you're like me, however, and appreciate all phases of Priest's discography, you're in for a treat with this live set. THE SET LIST: DISK 1: 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. DISK 2: Metal Meltdown, Night Crawler, Abductors, Victim of Changes, Diamonds & Rust, Breaking the Law, The Green Manalishi, Painkiller, You've God Another Thing Coming, Hell Bent for Leather, Living After Midnight. Since '98 LIVE MELTDOWN was released on the JUGULATOR world tour it naturally features five tracks from that disk -- Blood Stained, Burn in Hell, Bullet Train, Death Row and Abductors. All five are good choices, although I'm not the biggest fan of Burn in Hell; it's just a very strange song musically and lyrically. But, no matter, it DOES work as a kick-butt live number. In any event, I wish they would have found a place for other stellar JUGULATOR cuts like Dead Meat, Decapitate and Brain Dead (ludicrous song titles, I know). Blood Stained is a definite highlight because it's one of Priest's brutalist songs ever, and yet it remains ultra-catchy. The audience obviously knows the song and loves it. In fact, check out Blood Stained on their 2002 dvd LIVE IN LONDON. There's no doubt that it's one of Priest's most killer live songs. It should never be removed from their live set. When I bought '98 LIVE MELTDOWN months ago I couldn't wait to hear Bullet Train live, and I wasn't let down. It's just a great metal tune with a thrashy edge -- ultra hook-laden and innovative. Another big highlight is Rapid Fire, a speed metal tune (sort of) from 1980's BRITISH STEEL. It follows the studio version except that the vocals and drums are beefed up a bit. The song comes across with more intensity & heaviness and is therefore a much superior version to the studio rendition. A chorus is even added, vocally speaking. Another high point is the inclusion of Metal Meltdown and Night Crawler, two stellar and fairly obscure tracks from 1990's PAINKILLER. In addition, most of the regular songs on Priest's live setlist -- like Electric Eye, Victim of Changes and Green Manalishi -- sound better than ever on '98 LIVE MELTDOWN. For instance, I had become bored with both Electric Eye and Victim of Changes (since they've been played to death over the years) but their renditions on '98 LIVE MELTDOWN are truly phenomenal and gave me a fresh respect and love for these over-played songs. Also, on Green Manalishi, you'll hear the crowd sing and chant along -- it sounds great! Even lame pop metal tunes like Breaking the Law and Living After Midnight are enjoyable here. I should also mention the stellar live version of Diamonds & Rust featured. It's a completely different version than the 1977 studio rendition; much of it is acoustic until the potent climax. I was never a fan of the old studio version, but I love this rendition. Really, the only negative thing I can muster concerning the setlist is the inclusion of Grinder. I've always hated this song, but it's simply a matter of personal taste (many love it, I know). Unfortunately the production is good and bad: The vocals and drums are crystal clear and in-your-face, whereas the rhythm guitars sound kind of distant (or buried), albeit heavy. This is a minor cavil, however, as I've always been able to mentally adjust to this flaw and enjoy the concert. BOTTOM LINE: Don't allow the absence of Rob Halford keep you away from this stellar live release! Ripper Owens kicks hiney on vocals and obviously gives the other guys a big jolt of metal pizzazz. And, remember, when Ripper was in Judas Priest circa 1996-2003, it was the only time the band was 100% heterosexual. (That's a joke). How does any cd you purchase pass the test of worthiness? By how often you play it, right? If that's the case then '98 LIVE MELTDOWN is my favorite live metal release ever, 'cause I just keep playing it! . Priest best live cd since Unleashed In The East!! Classic Priest songs and newer offerings sound awesome. This puppy roars from the opening cord right through to the end. Ripper really takes charge in this and the overall vibe and intensity is in full swing. Ripper can really belt it out and he's in fine form here. The sound is really good and the song selection is killer. The cd totally rocks folks!! . JUDAS PRIEST HEAVY METAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOW. . . . . this is an awesome release! Every song on this double cd gets a perfect 10 in my book! I saw the Priest during this tour with Ripper and man. . . talk about a set of pipes on that voice!!!!! I truly have to disagree with a couple of reviewers stating that "this is horrible" cause "it doesn't have halford" and another saying that "it's not essential because it doesn't hold up to Beast in the East (actually Unleashed in the East) or Priest. . . Live. Sorry Charley, neither one of those release are as energetic as this one. I can say this too! I have been a fan for over 25 years. In fact, the Priest. . . Live cd. . . well, let's not even go there! This IS the Judas Priest Live cd to own. Those wondering if they should take a chance. . . DO IT! You won't be disappointed!!!!!!!. Terrible All you have to do is listen to the sample of Victim Of Changes provided here on Amazon. I bought this cd not realizing "Ripper" Owens was on lead vocals- bad mistake. Of course Tipton and Downing sound great, but just wait until the vocals kick in. It's absolutely awful. He sounds like the stereotypical wannabe heavy metal singer from a cheeseball cover band you'd see at the local rock club in the 80's. Do yourself a favor- save your money on this one and pick up an earlier Priest cd with Halford- Unleashed In The East is the best Live one- I'm buying the latest compilation box- only 4 songs from Crapper Owens. Fuck Yeah! First of all, Judas Priest kicks ass. aight. i started listening to them just recently, and i already own 4 of their CDs. i have to say, this is by far, the best out of all of them. here are some ratings: 1. The Hellion: intro to ellectric eye. sounds better whenit isn'tlive. still good tho. 7/10 2. Electric Eye: once again, non-live version is better 7/10 3. Metal Gods: pretty good song. not the best tho. 8/10 4. Grinder: not too bad. 8/10 5. Rapid Fire: not bad either. 8/10 6. Blood Stained: pretty cool song. 9/10 7. The sentinal: this is when the CD gets better. 9/10 8. Touch of Evil: not bad. 8/10 9. Burn in Hell: pretty good song. 9/10 10. The Ripper: not too bad/not too good. 8/10 11. Bullet Train: really cool song. 9/10 12. Beyond the Realms of Death: not bad. . . 8/10 13. Death Row: this song is awseome. one of the best on the album. 10/10 14. Metal Meltdown: favorite priest song of all time. really good live too. 10/10 15. Night Crawler: pretty cool song. 8/10 16. Abductors: ok. didnt like it that much, but its ok. 8/10 17. Victim of Changes: pretty nice song. 8/10 18. Diamonds and Rust: really good song. 10/10 19. Breaking the Law: awesome song. catchy lyrics. 10/10 20. The Green Manalishi: this song is sooo much better live than not. 10/10 21. Painkiller: cool song, especially the guitar. 10/10 22. You've Got Another Thing Coming: this song is alright. 9/10 23. Hell Bent For Leather: not the best. 8/10 24. Living after Midnight: this song is better when it isnt live. still ok tho. 8/10 if you lke this, get Demolition. it is awesome. one of their heaviest CDs. if you want a lighter CD with some good songs, try Living After Midnight. anyway. this 2 CD set is Kick-ASS. you need it if you like any metal at all. You can see a complete list of all Judas Priest discography, or go back to the Judas Priest tabs