Was Invincible Shield worth all the hype? Judas Priest new album Reaction & Review

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Published 2024-03-07

Judas Priest are back with their new studio album Invincible Shield! So let’s take a look at what is inside the band’s 19th studio record, discuss how Judas Priest tricked their fans on it, and then answer the popular question of whether it still sounds like real Judas Priest… and whether the band is even still relevant today.

We will take a look only at the songs at the Standard Edition (not Deluxe Edition) for one reason... I wanted to keep some mystery for myself for the release date ;)

00:00 - Intro
00:22 - Track by track
09:59 - First conclusions
12:00 - Let it flow
15:39 - Trick or treat
17:46 - The dark side
21:59 - Verdict

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Background music: "Uberpunch" Alexander Nakarada (serpentsoundstudios.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

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All Comments (21)

@MetalPilgrim 5 months ago

All early song snippets are posted today with the permission by Judas Priest!
@vince300100 5 months ago

Richie has given the band a second life. What an amazing guitar player and composer.
@omniken66 5 months ago

I've been a Priest fan since 1979 that's 45 years and I can tell you right now that this is the best album that they've made in the last 35 years...not that the others are bad because they're not....they all are great. Even Nostradamus has good stand alone songs.....but this album is better than Firepower and will once again be one of the best Metal albums of 2024 God Bless Metal.....and God Bless Judas Priest!
@aaronfulwider779 5 months ago

We should all be grateful that Priest is still putting out great hymns to metal.
@LeatherRebel75 5 months ago

The hype is real, folks. This is an elite-tier album. They didn't have to go this hard at their age, but damn if I ain't thrilled they did. I'll be jamming this one all weekend!
@StephenHennessy-Stone-ee5fy 5 months ago

Judas Priest have resurrected heavy metal for 2024 brilliant album
@ryeguy7471 5 months ago

The newer members have definitely pulled their weight. Scott Travis made his mark with Painkiller and Ritchie Faulkner made his with Firepower. It’s still quality “Priest Music”.👍
@muftconcerts9235 5 months ago

This Album is outstanding.. ❤ No Band on Earth will ever release such an amazing Album after 55 years, even not after 40, 20 or 10 years. Amazing, awesome, wonderful. The Priest is back! ❤
@treeduck3705 5 months ago

My copy arrived today, it's a monumental album and the bonus tracks are excellent and sound like they belong on the main album, so I'm glad all the songs are all on one disc. I'm listening to Firepower now!
@tammeybrown72 5 months ago

I can’t wait to listen to it tomorrow!! I plan to buy a physical copy very soon as well!!
@user-pz4su9fi9r 5 months ago

When I was listening to this album, it sounded so different and yet so familiar, and ultimately I think that is what makes it quintessential Judas Priest. From its composition to its production, it reaches into the past and future to create an album that outdoes any competitor. At points it honours Painkiller, at others Redeemer of Souls, at others even Halford's Crucible. To me, the fact that the best songs are probably not even the singles is why this album is a massive win. "Gates of Hell", 'As God Is My Witness", "Escape from Reality", and the bonus "Gight of Your Life" are crazy, and they are just the tip of the iceberg. Pushing through cancer, aneurysms, and Parkinson's to produce something this good? Only the Metal Gods ever could.
@rodneybrimer5171 5 months ago

No band has continued to amaze as much as Judas Priest! The majority of 80’s bands can’t deliver with new music worth listening to. Judas Priest is a different band. They are as powerful as ever. Great album. I love the new music! Maiden can’t capture its past but Priest shows us all why they are the metal gods. Crank it up!
@Neilface 5 months ago

Got my album in the post today. I feel like I've not heard many of the reviews talking about Giants In The Sky, but that song rocks. Also the bonus tracks are super good, possibly even main album worthy.
@griefforest1870 5 months ago

I started my metal journey with Metallica and delving deeper when I discovered Iron Maiden. A couple of months after that I heard the name Judas Priest and bought one of those cheap boxsets with 5 albums, I listened to Sin after Sin first. I might have watched the YT video of Breaking the law prior but I'm not sure. All I remember is being impressed by the front and backcover and pressing play and "Sinner" came on... What a great way to start my journey. For 10 years I've preferred Maiden just a tad but in recent months things changed and I've been listening to Priest nonstop. In a few days I'll see them live after their 2018 concert was cancelled due to Ozzys health. I've waited 6 years but I'm sure it will be great.
@guyfawkes8873 5 months ago

I felled tears throughout my entire first playthrough. When the acoustic solo on Giants in the Sky came through I almost broke down. To me it felt like the final puzzle piece on the album, a throwback to Baptizm of Fire, and just, such a powerful vindication of our love and support for the band for however long we’ve been fans of them. Your conclusion, to me, is perfect. A present from the band, to us, the fans. Crafted with love and dedication.
@jimmyraydavis5579 5 months ago

Outstanding overview of a future priest classic. Your love for the band shines and is infectious. Thank you for this gift!
@Shadefecator 5 months ago

I’m a huge fan of Priest’s early 80’s/late 70’s work, and there are a BUNCH of great moments on the album… but man, the chorus to Fight for your life is the best thing on the album for me! It’s not the fastest or heaviest part of the album and I can’t put my finger on it, but I haven’t felt that kind of “Judas Priest magic” since Defenders of the faith.
@wobblynoggin 5 months ago

To hear you say what I was thinking while I first listened is perfect! Great review. A perfect album!
@johanhegg2084 5 months ago

Best heavy metal album of the last 25 years. And I am not joking.
@madman1366 5 months ago

I was so pumped for this album and it did not let me down in the slightest. Even better is the deluxe version with 3 bonus songs…also all incredible. This one will be going loud and proud with me on all my long ass walking excursions for the near future. 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥