Queensryche takes the stage at 8:10pm. The last time I saw them was with Iron Maiden in the late 80's anyhow Geoff Tate's vocals were right on and the band sounded tight .Everyone at the Arts center seemed to be having a blast. I hung out on the lawn during their set talking with some old friends and sucking down some $7.00 cold ones. They put on a good show and the PNC was about 3/4's of the way full here is their complete set list:

1. The Whisper
2. En Force
3. Neue Regel
4. NM156
5. Screaming In Digital
6. Open
7. Desert Dance
8. Queen Of The Reich / Nightrider / Blinded
9. Walk In The Shadows
10. The Needle Lies
11. I'm American
12. Surgical Strike
13. Empire
14. Take Hold Of The Flame

It is 9:33 pm when Priest hits the stage they open with {Electric Eye} full fucking force and we are off. I have my 18 year old son with me and it is a honor to take him to see one of the best METAL BANDS EVER. Thanks for putting up with your crazy father Brand.

I start to make my way to my seats in the Orch. about the 20th row, Joe M. from State of Music took care of me.It took you long enough Joe but it was worth the Fucking wait,Thanks Bud. The seats were great and believe it or not half the row was empty. Joe what the fuck happened to you and your friends. Priest then break into {Rebel Gone} and then{The touch of Evil} Rob Halford is back with the boys and his voice is a powerful as ever he sounds better today then back in 1980 when I first saw Judas Priest. This was my 19th time seeing Judas Priest and it brought back memories that were buried deep in my head. I was blessed to see them with Iron Maiden on The Point Of Entry Tour in 1980 then again with Maiden on the Screaming For Vengeance Tour in 1981 and again on the Defenders of the Faith tour 1982.I saw most of my Priest shows back then although I haven't missed one tour when Priest was with Rob Halford. I know he is a pole smoker and don't agree with his life style but I also know he is the best singer in the METAL WORLD and nobody even comes close to his talent.When he left the band I had the chance to see Priest without him and passed. I was a huge fan of his first solo project Fight were I almost broke my neck in the pit.I saw his next project Halford when they opened for Iron Maiden a few years back and it sucked.While Im at it I did see Judas Priests reunion on OZZFEST last year and it was fucking awesome, anyhow Priest has its original line up back KK Downing ,Glen Tipton on guitars,Ian Hill on Bass and Scott Travis on drums. They sounded FUCKING GREAT . You can see the energy riding high on their shoulders as they tear up the fucking stage. They then go into a couple of songs off of Angle Of Retribution including {Retribution} this is there 21st album number 20 with Halford. The album is FUCKING HEAVY allot of people haven't herd it so they were not thrilled to hear the new material live. I thought it was solid.The sirens then go off and they start{Breaking The Law} it was 85 degrees out and humid as fuck and Rob Halford was in full leather long sleeve outfits all night he did change them often breaking out some old tour leathers but still it was fucking hot. During a couple of Halfords high notes he had a crazed look in his eye after a few songs he looked wildly into the crowd banging his fist full blast into his heart. I said this once already but his voice was as powerful and clear as ever.

At this point I lost count of the set list , I figured I was going to get fucking wrecked for this monster of a show I was witnessing. They do a few more and then do {Turbo Lover} at this point I make my way to the 8th row were I remain for the rest of the show. Priest then play{Victim Of Changes} this sent chills down my back remembering the Philly Spectrum show in 1980 where I did 3 hits of green window pane and official started to loose my mind. The next song is {Exciter} which they fucking nailed hands down.The boys just got back from a tour in Japan and Halford lets the crowd know. The next song is one of my favorites ever{Painkiller} the vocals in this song will peal the paint of the FUCKING WALLS and at the least clean out your eardrums for you. After this song I was on my drunken rampage and it felt great.After about 40 seconds off stage the boys came back out with Halford on his Harley and any Priest fan knew what was next{Hell Bent For Leather} they then go into {Living after Midnight} and close their set with {You got another thing Coming} a solid 2hr set.

From 1 to 10 this show was an 11. Fucking perfect loud, aggressive rock and roll the way it was meant to be played. It was great to see the whole band lined up next to each other HEAD BANGING. Rob Halford is now 54 and his voice is better than ever, the expressions on his face were priceless during this show. I am glad to see he final lost his mind and is starting to love life again with Priest. The only thing that could beat this show would be a stadium tour with IRON MAIDEN and special guests SLAYER. Some of the best shows ever where with JUDAS Priest and IRON MAIDEN back in the 80's. There hasn't even been anything close except Ozzfest and that takes 30 bands to come close to those old tours. By the way I am for hire and would set this tour up in a heart beat as one of my dying wishes.

By Brandon Dilks
Manager - Nuse

Browse All Spotlight Reviews >>

Interested in having your Review posted on SoM? Send and us an Email with your review and info and we will respond with details.