The Legend of Darth Halford

Jun 29- Englewood, Colorado- During my mispent adolescent days, Judas Priest was always the band I forgot to mention. Whenever someone asked me the "what kinda' music you listen to" question, I always forgot about Priest. My adolescent days started around 1986, when Priest was past their popularity peak. I had a bunch of their albums, but never managed to see them live. Like other 80's metal bands, the 90's weren't kind to the band. Lead singer Rob Halford's sexual orientation became a punchline for radio DJ's and VH1 hosts. Waitasec..you mean Halford is GAY?! Golly, next thing you'll probably tell me is that alot of metal bands used DRUGS! But the nostalgia-metal movement of the past five years has worked to the band's advantage as they've been able to receive top-billing, along with some long overdue credit.

I was tempted to see them on Ozzfest last year. But I had a real problem with having to sit through 6 hours of crap like Dimmu Borgir, just to see a 45 minute set by Judas Priest. I had a free night, and the Pirates broadcast was rained out, so I hopped over to the Dump Formerly Known as Fiddler's Green (now Coors Ampitheatre) to see the show. I deliberately arrived late and picked up a general admission lawn ticket for exactly 10 bucks. The crowd wasn't too bad and I was able to find a great view of the stage. It still cracks me up how some people bring a fricking PICNIC BLANKET to a show. I didn't see any mullets in the crowd. I guess all the mullet humor from 4 or 5 years ago finally got through to some people. There was no "guy Who Looks Like Jesus", either. But there were a lot of Guys Who Look Like Les Nessman from WKRP or the Drummer From Cheap Trick.

One guy in front of me brought his 12-yr old son along. That's acceptable, but I wanted to grab the little shit and inform of the proper way to do the "horns". He kept raising his hands, but stuck his thumb out of the side. That's the Jimmy Snuka "I Love You" sign language gesture, NOT the devil horns! Although maybe he did, in fact, LOVE the band (--gay joke withheld--). The kid meant well though, and kept doing stupid air-guitar gestures all night.

My late arrival meant I was only subjected to three songs of the opening band- Queenswretch. They dedicated one of their songs to "all our American armed forces overseas". Screw those British, I guess. If I was in the infantry over in Iraq, I'd be offended that such a craptacular song was just dedicated to me. They introduced another song by saying "you ever have a situation where the shit's coming down to your left, and the shit's coming down to the right? Then the shit's coming down on top of you?! Yeah...all you can do is run, mutherfucker. That's what this next song is about!" So..the next song is about shit?! Terrible, and proof to all third graders-- just because you drop a few S-bombs and F-bombs, you're not "cool". Like testicular hair removal, thir set was painful but mercifully quick.

Set List (I think) Hellion/Electric Eye Metal Gods Riding on the Wind Touch of Evil Judas is Rising Retribution Beyond the Realms of Death Breakin' the Law Victim of Changes I'm a Rocker Deal with the Devil Diamonds and Rust Turbo Lover Exciter Hellrider Painkiller --Encore-- Hell Bent for Leather Livin' After Midnight You've Got Another Thing Comin'

As Priest's set began, a probing laserlight shot out from a big eyeball backdrop. If you're familiair with Priest, you could see where this was going-- they opened with "Hellion/Electric Eye". The eyeball's pupil opened, with Rob inside it, about 15 feet above the drum kit. "Up here in space..." that was cool. For the first three or four songs, Rob was lowered and raised on trapdoor elevators on each side of the drums. If you recall ANY Priest performance video, then you know exactly what Glen Tipton, KK Downing and Ian Hill did. Halford creeped around the stage in a black leather trenchcoat, but just like in 2000, he hit all all of his trademark shrieks. It sounded like he blew the first verse of "Touch of Evil", but all was forgiven when he fired off the "you're posessing me" line in full siren mode!

The obligatory "songs from our new album" were played. They were so-so, but the tune "Judas is Rising" was decent. If only because I don't think the band has a "band name tune", like Maiden and Black Sabbath do (or hell, even Hurricane! Heh). During the song, Halford was raised above the drum kit again, in a semi-crucifixion pose. It appeared as if he had a small bonfire in front of him, but it was one of those nifty light/tissue paper dealies they sell at novelty stores.

"Breakin' the Law" got the crowd fired up...or as I call it: "Unofficial Theme from Beavis & Butt-head"! Rob, KK and Glen all bunched up in the center of the stage and bounced in unison. Rob leaned over and played the opening right-hand riff on KK's guitar. Later, they went into an acoustic version of "Diamonds & Rust", similiar to the original Joan Baez version! Check out the set list and you'll see that a few songs from the Stained Class album were played, including "Beyong the Realms of Death". As far as I know, NOBODY in the crowd of roughly 7,000 decided to shoot themselves afterwards!

A few songs seemed to slow things down. Notably the insipid "I'm a Rocker". Holy crap... I couldn't believe anything from the Ram it Down album made it past 1988! Plus, if you follow my stupid "Rasslin" articles, you'll know that I think the phrase "Rocker" is goofy. I thought that "Turbo Lover" would sound terrible live, but they pulled it off well.

The set ended with "Painkiller". Not a favorite of mine. I mean, "faster than a laser bullet"?! Eh. For the encore, Rob rode out on his Harley for "Hell Bent for Leather" and "Livin' After Midnight". He did his annoying "woo-oh-oh-YEAH" junk before "You've Got Another Thing". The "yeahs" went on for about four minutes and I was PISSED when he didn't sing the entire first verse of the song. He did the Lazy Singer/"Sing it for me" junk. Dammit! I've wanted to hear that song live for over 20 years now, ever since I first heard on Channel 12's Teletunes in 1982! Sing the song YOU made famous..that's YOUR job!

I was a bit bummed that there was no "Green Manalishi". But I had never seen Priest before so it was good experience overall. Ended about 10:30 and I was home by 11! Picked up a program, too. I only have those for the Pantheon of Nifty Bands: Maiden, Rush, Kiss and Priest (Tool didn't have one. I'll look for one from Anthrax). I'd rate it a B-.

Also, I think Rob might have written himself into my Episode 7 screenplay as "Darth Halford" (with Samuel L. Jackson, Ice Cube, Walrus Man and now Rob Halford...how can my movie NOT destroy?!).

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