Judas Priest/UK 1988

The definitive sound source of “MERCENARIES OF METAL TOUR 1988” accompanying “RAM IT DOWN” is now available on 4CD! If you heard “RAM IT DOWN” or “MERCENARIES OF METAL TOUR” and thought “Wow!”, you must be familiar with JUDAS PRIEST, right? Yes, “MERCENARIES OF METAL TOUR 1988” is one of the tours in JUDAS PRIEST’s history that is full of fulfilling live performances but is not blessed with many sound sources. This work is a 4-disc set of the Crazy S. collection from his home country UK tour. JUDAS PRIEST aimed for big popularity with the controversial work “TURBO”. It did well in terms of sales, but I guess it was because of my strong feelings that I decided to produce “RAM IT DOWN,” which aims to return to the hard classics. This change in consciousness was clearly visible on that tour as well, and there were no songs from “TURBO” (only “Turbo Lover” was played on the US leg). Instead, 70’s songs such as “Sinner”, “The Ripper” and “Beyond The Realms Of Death” are revived. The hard new songs “Come And Get It,” “I’m A Rocker,” “Ram It Down,” and “Heavy Metal” are inserted there. It is exactly the best set up to “DEFENDERS OF THE FAITH” + new songs, and the atmosphere is completely different from “FUEL FOR LIFE TOUR 1986”. Moreover, the opening song is the golden “Hellion/Electric Eye”! As can be seen from the fact that they welcomed Ripper in 1998 and were in pole position for the reunion in 2004, this is the declaration of “JUDAS PRIEST is back!” The general impression is that they made a comeback with “PAINKILLER,” but the artists themselves are already full of enthusiasm. In “RAM IT DOWN”, I felt lost in the artificial drum sound and “Johnny B. Goode”, but there are no such elements on stage. The run-up to revival has begun. That spirit is clearly felt in their performance. All the songs are full of spirit, but the most iconic one is the new song “Ram It Down.” The tempo is much faster than in the studio, almost like thrash metal! What’s more, the cutting high-shout is more powerful than thrash!! It has a high tension that can even be called “Pre-Painkiller”, but the development from the uplifting vocals in the middle to a melodious guitar solo is a masterpiece that is different from “Painkiller”. Finished in a metal number! “Heavy Metal” that follows “Ram It Down” is also far more eccentric than the album. “I’m A Rocker”, with its deep melody that tugs at your heart, is also wonderful… Why, why, even though they have such great songs, are they only performing on this tour?!? “MERCENARIES” is burning with the spirit of revival. OF METAL TOUR 1988”, but unfortunately it is not blessed with a sound source and is only known to those in the know. FM broadcast “NEW HAVEN 1988” reigns as a standard, but it is not a full recording. The best book to relieve that frustration is this work from the Crazy S. Collection. Since it was recorded by a master metal recording artist on his home ground, the sound is the best audience recording. Discs 1 and 2, “June 16th Leicester Performance”, are filled with a tremendous direct feeling, and Discs 3 and 4, “June 22nd Sheffield Performance”, have a subtle reverberation that is exquisite! Both guitars sound profound, and Rob’s cutting heroic voice is also ultra clear. Especially on the album, Dave Holland, who was often asked, “Isn’t it a drum machine?”, shows off his original groove-filled drumming here. His virtuosity is clearly conveyed down to the smallest detail. “MERCENARIES OF METAL TOUR 1988” is a hidden gem in JUDAS PRIEST history. There is no better album than this to hear the whole story. A dazzling 4-disc set that can be listened to as the final destination of 80’s heavy metal, or as a prelude to the thrilling “PAINKILLER”. Please enjoy the missed metal concert this weekend to your heart’s content! De Montfort Hall, Leicester, UK 16th June 1988 PERFECT SOUND(from Original Masters) City Hall, Sheffield, UK 22nd June 1988 PERFECT SOUND(from Original Masters) Disc 1 (45:43) 1. Introduction 2. Hellion 3. Electric Eye 4. Metal Gods 5. Sinner 6. Breaking The Law 7. Come And Get It 8. I’m A Rocker 9. The Sentinel 10. The Ripper 11. Beyond The Realms Of Death Disc 2 (55:30) 1, Some Heads Are Gonna Roll 2. Ram It Down 3. Heavy Metal 4. Victim Of Changes 5. The Green Manalishi 6 . Living After Midnight 7. You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’ 8. Hell Bent For Leather Live at City Hall, Sheffield, UK 22nd June 1988 Disc 3 (45:09) 1. Introduction 2. Hellion 3. Electric Eye 4. Metal Gods 5. Sinner 6. Breaking The Law 7. Come And Get It 8. I’m A Rocker 9. The Sentinel 10. The Ripper 11. Beyond The Realms Of Death Disc 4 (54:12) 1, Some Heads Are Gonna Roll 2. Ram It Down 3. Heavy Metal 4. Victim Of Changes 5. The Green Manalishi 6. Living After Midnight 7. You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’ 8. Hell Bent For Leather