"Nostradamus" CD by Judas Priest

by Matthias Mader (13.06.2008) Even before the release of this ambitous concept album it was obvious that "Nostradamus" shouldn't be compared with other outputs of the musically diversified discography of Judas Priest - different standards had to be applied. And indeed it is hardly imaginable to lump these 23 new songs and "Breaking the law" and/or"Painkiller" together in one pot. "Nostradamus" with its interlaced structure just works out as a whole, as a complete piece of art, as a soundtrack without the movie! As with "Angel of retribution", Priest yet again have surprised their fans and have done an album exactly contrary to their anticipations and expectations. The only song up to that challenge may be the fast title track which also is the toughest one of altogether 100 minutes of music. My personal faves: "Death" (a languid, 7-minute spine-chilling dark piece) and "Visions" with its shuffle rhythm and catchy chorus (sounding almost like an answer to the "Turbo"-stuff...).