CALIFORNIA ROCK NEWS

by Alex Kluft

In the history of Metal, few bands have had the impact Judas Priest has had on the genre, as well as having one of the greatest guitar duos of all time and one of the most iconic frontmen. Along with Judas Priest on their Invincible Shield tour is one of the best metal groups of the last 25 years, Sabaton. Judas Priest stopped at the YouTube Theater last night in Inglewood, CA. This would be the group’s first show at the venue and their first L.A. performance since 2021 as they played Ontario, Ca in 2022 and their only show of 2023 took place at Power Trip in Indio, CA almost  a year to the date of this show. In 2022 the band was finally inducted into the Rock and Roll of Hall of Fame after being eligible over 20 years. Since March of this year, Judas Priest has been on a world tour supporting their 19th studio album and first release in 6 years, Invincible Shield. In 2022 the band celebrated their 50th anniversary and this year is the 50th anniversary of their debut album Rocka Rolla. 

In the last decade Judas Priest has had a few major lineup changes with the departure of guitarist K.K. Downing in 2011 and guitarist Glenn Tipton retired from touring after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. For the last 35 years, Scott Travis has held the drum throne. Downing’s replacement has been Richie Raulkner since his departure and Andy Sneap took over Tipton’s guitar duties. 

Judas Priest played a high energy set of 18 songs. Before the legendary metal group took the stage Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs” served as their intro song along with “Invincible Shield Tour Anthem.” The curtain dropped and Judas Priest were all together on the drum riser opening with “Panic Attack,” followed by one of their biggest hits, “You’ve Got Another Thing Coming.” Song four was one of the greatest songs for air guitar “Breaking the Law.” Later in the set would come “Turbo Lover” followed by the title track of their latest album. The last song before the encore would be another hit “Painkiller.”

Judas Priest saved a few of their biggest hits for a three song encore of “Electric Eye,”“Hell Bent For Leather,” and “Living After Midnight.” When it comes to metal bands Judas Priest is a must see and always plays to generations of metal fans.