Judas Priest Concert Review Arizona Financial Theater Phoenix AZ 1-18-24
Review and Photos By Roc Boyum
The Metal Gods, Judas Priest, took the stage at the Arizona Financial Theater on 10-18-24, promoting their latest LP, Invincible Shield, with support from the renowned “Swedish War Machine,” Sabaton.
Sabaton delivered an explosive performance to the Phoenix audience, presenting twelve songs that were culled from their extensive catalog across seven LPs. The last time I witnessed Sabaton, they were the headliners at this very venue; however, tonight was dedicated to the legendary metal gods, Judas Priest. Check out the Sabaton photo gallery below.
Once again British heavy metal pioneers, Judas Priest dominated the Arizona Financial Theater, dressed in their iconic black leather outfits embellished with more metal studs than a steel factory.
As they have on previous tours, Priest kicked off their performance with Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs” blasting through the PA system, prompting the audience to join in as a united choir. The song smoothly transitioned into the Invincible Shield tour anthem, with a single spotlight illuminating the floor-to-ceiling banner proclaiming the message of standing together to fight for our honor as “We Raise The Invincible Shield.”
Kicking off their set with “Panic Attack” from their latest album, Invincible Shield, conveyed a strong message of steadfast determination regarding today’s world. The song’s timely themes resonate powerfully, tackling the internet’s more sinister elements, rife with conspiracies and misinformation that confront us daily. With less than a month until the 2024 presidential election, its significance is more pronounced now…. more than ever before!
Diving into their catalog from the 80s, Priest delivered a powerful dose of their iconic classics such as “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’,” “Breaking The Law,” and “Love Bites,” before a brief dip into the 70’s with “Saints in Hell” off their British Steel LP.
The latter half of the show presented a brilliant blend of new songs and essential classics, with “Turbo Lover” igniting one of the most enthusiastic audience sing-alongs so far in the set.
At the conclusion of “Victim of Changes,” Halford unleashed a throat-ripping wail that demonstrated that, after more than 50 years of metal singing, he remains one of the most remarkable vocalists in the industry today.
Before diving into “Green Manalishi,” Halford engaged the audience with an interactive call and answer session that surpassed all previous interactions.
For the final song of their regular set, drummer Scott Travis engaged the audience with a straightforward question: “What do you want to hear next?” “It begins with a P.” In response, the crowd erupted with a unified shout of “Pain Killer.” Upon the song’s conclusion, the chants of…… Priest, Priest, Priest resonated throughout the venue.
The encore featuring “Electric Eye,” “Hell Bent for Leather,” and “Living After Midnight” was a spectacular finale to an unforgettable performance.
Halford took to the stage on his Harley for the iconic track, “Hell Bent for Leather.” For the closing number, “Living After Midnight,” he engaged the crowd in a powerful sing-along, accompanied only by the drums. As Halford screamed to the audience… “louder, louder, louder,” the audience responded with a resounding roar of appreciation as they sang the song’s chorus.
After a heartfelt bow to the fans, Priest bid a fond farewell to Phoenix until the next occasion, and as Halford proclaimed, “We always come back!”
As forerunners of the Heavy Metal genre and for fifty plus years this band has been known as the undisputed Metal Gods as well as leaders in leather fashion. Be sure to get out and catch these guys live any time and anywhere you can because as time marches on, legends like these are calling it quits and understandbly so – touring is brutal business.
Don’t miss your chance to catch the LEGENDAY JUDAS PRIEST LIVE NOW!!!
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