To fully understand what Angel of Retribution represents to the Priest diehard, one need only look at the band’s history. Lead singer Rob Halford, who can sing higher than a man losing both testis, is as much a legend in music as Ozzy Osbourne, and when he deserted the band in 1993 he left band mates K.K. Downing and Glenn Tipton standing stupefied in their ass-clenching pants. Although Halford’s replacement, Tim “Ripper” Owens, became the inspiration for the film “Rock Star,” his reception by Priest fans was lukewarm and the band’s music sounded uninspired. So, when Halford and Co. made an announcement in 2002 that they were reuniting after 12 years of separation, one can only imagine the surprised and euphoric expressions emblazoned on the faces of their fans.

Fans of Judas Priest are a fickle bunch, and that might help to explain the nature of Angel of Retribution. Older fans prefer the original, kick-your-teeth-in Priest and their newest fans, accumulated on the last Ozzfest tour, will demand a more modern sound, while those in between will want a few ballads thrown in for good measure. With so many different expectations, how is Priest to produce an album that will appeal to all its fans? How is Priest to avoid spreading its talent thin while bending over backwards to please both those looking for moments of nostalgia and those looking for a modern Priest hybrid? The answer, a bit unfortunate, is that a band cannot avoid spreading its talent thin while attempting to please such a diverse group of fans.

Halford begins the album with a metal wail that will have older fans banging their heads in excitement. “Judas Rising” sounds like it could fit into a cheesy, early ‘80s flick about a rebel motorcycle gang, which is to say that it sounds like classic Priest. One can easily imagine Halford, bound in leather and chains, riding a Harley on stage to open Priest’s next tour with this song. The second track does nothing to hinder the head-banging metal-fest, but things get a bit dicey when Priest whips out a track that has been touched by so many hands it should be checked for STDs. “Revolution,” the band’s first single, was made for the masses and sounds like it. Down-tuned, laden with simple riffs, and sprinkled with a few catch phrases, the song should appeal to those who think Korn and Limp Bizkit are metal. The skip button was invented for songs such as this.

Good metal ballads are hard to come by, because they either come off as corny or pretentious, but Priest defies tradition and produces an acoustic-driven ballad, “Angel,” that becomes more epic in scope as the song develops. By the time the first solo and drum pattern are introduced, guitarists Downing and Tipton have already created a suitably melancholic atmosphere. “Angel” should appease both old fans, who recall Priest staples like “Epitaph” and “Dreamer Deceiver,” and new fans who might be influenced by Evanescence and other goth-rock, ballad-driven groups.

No matter which way you slice it, “Angel of Retribution” is a solid album. Older fans will find solace in “Judas Rising,” “Demonizer,” and “Hellrider.” Soul-searching fans have “Angel” and “Eulogy” to keep them busy, while radio-minded folks can always turn their dial and catch “Revolution.” “Angel of Retribution” is by no means a fully-realized classic, and the band does find itself spreading its talents thin, but there are enough songs here to keep every Priest demographic snapping its neck.

written by Chris Chellis

Playing time: 52.46