(Rated this album with 6 out of 10) Reviewed by
Ken Kupstis
from Kissimmee, FL
After a 3-year wait for a Priest album, I've got mixed emotions about DEMOLITION. First of all, Ripper Owens is GREAT, with one of the richest, versatile voices in Metal. Also the song BLOOD SUCKERS is AWESOME, and JEKYLL & HYDE and METAL MESSIAH are very good as well. But the TEN OTHER SONGS fell below my expectations of Judas Priest. First of all, many Priest fans (myself included) enjoy JP for their SPEED, which is tragically lacking on DEMOLITION. None of the songs even approaches the speed of PAINKILLER, SCREAMING FOR VENGEANCE or FREEWHEEL BURNING to name a few. Also KK and Glenn seem to have thrown away their previous style of ripping scales and lead breaks, maybe they're tired of it but I know their fans aren't...the guitar style on Demolition is experimental, strange and sloppy. Loud, to be sure, but a lot cruder. It sounds almost like Fight or an industrial band. Demolition may win Priest some new-school metal fans but it'll probably alienate a lot of old school fans. Beyond that, the CD is still growing on me little by little, and it's still better than anything by Korn. (KK)
