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Yorkshire Times
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Graham Clark
Music Features Writer
@Maxximum23Clark
7:25 PM 28th November 2015
arts

Judas Priest Supported By Michael Schenker's Temple Of Rock

 
Michael Schenker
Michael Schenker
The last time Michael Schenker played St George's Hall he was probably still in UFO, it is a very long time since he appeared here. Opening up with one of UFOs biggest tracks, Doctor Doctor, it was like being back in 1978. A great way to start the evening. With his trademark Flying V guitars he and his band delivered a set of old and new tracks. Ending with Rock Bottom they had everyone warmed up for the main act.

Looking down from the balcony 30 years ago you would have probably seen a sea of fans with long hair, tonight though it is a case of more balding heads on show than long hair. Judas Priest are one of the true greats of British Heavy Metal and with a career going back to the mid 1970's they have a good body of work to showcase.

Rob Halford lead singer of Judas Priest
Rob Halford lead singer of Judas Priest
Lead singer Rob Halford seems to wear a different leather coat for each number, he looks the part all menacing and dark, just like the baddie from the pantomime. There is a new album to plug, Redeemer of Souls but it is their older tracks that seem to go down best. They visit all parts of their past but it was tracks such as Turbo Lover, Screaming For Vengeance and Breaking The Law that sounded the best.

There is something very camp about seeing a middle aged man dressed head to toe in leather with a whip between his teeth sat on top of a motorbike singing a track entitled Hell Bent For Leather, but this is heavy metal and Halford can still get away with it.

"We've been touring the world promoting British Heavy Metal" informs Halford to the fans. Their classic album British Steel is still one of the best metal albums that has influenced everyone from Metallica to Bullet For My Valentine.

Judas Priest
Judas Priest
It was the final 30 minutes of the gig that things got into a higher gear with Electric Eye, You've Got Another Thing Coming and Painkiller. As the band salute the fans for their dedication at the end of the night it looks like there is still plenty of steam left in this classic British metal band.