Judas Priest
Black Label Society
Thin Lizzy
Paul E. Tsongas Arena
Lowell, Massachusetts
November 20, 2011
Tony Pijar

So, here it is – the last hurrah of the mighty Judas Priest. More so than the Scorpions, I am still lamenting that mournful day when the Priest announced that the Epitaph Tour would be their last. And the package that Priest put together for their last North American tour is one of sheer class with Thin Lizzy opening and Black Label Society in the middle slot.
Thin Lizzy remains an utterly brilliant band. With Darren Wharton, Brian Downey and Scott Gorham in place, this is as authentic as it’s gonna get; and what a great group it is! Ricky Warwick is an absolute gem of a front man and has proved to be an excellent replacement for the inimitable Phil Lynott. Bassist Marco Mendoza and new guitarist (filling in for Vivian Campbell) Damon Johnson from the excellent southern roots-rock band Brother Cane complement the others perfectly. From the onset, Lizzy rocked, opening with the intense “Are you Ready”, “Waiting for an Alibi” and “Jailbreak”. Two of the best-penned Lizzy songs, “Massacre” and “Emerald” were aired next and simply slayed. “Killer on the Loose” was a welcome addition with Mendoza driving the song along with those patented sledgehammer bass riffs. From that point on, the hits were in tow with “Rosalie”, “Cowboy Song”, “Black Rose” and “The Boys are back in Town”. Simply staggering musicianship and stage presence – can’t wait for some new stuff!
By comparison, Black Label Society was lackluster. Sandwiched in-between two legends, it quickly became painfully obvious that BLS was way out of their league. Zakk Wylde’s guitar playing was average at best, and as the focal point, he was a bit boring. His 20-minute guitar solo was a complete rip-off of Frank Marino’s solo from his 1977 live album, not to mention Hendrix’s dive-bomber solos. Nonetheless, the band went over well with the blue collar/biker town audience.
The metal gods delivered with a career-spanning two and a half hour show. Of course, KK Downing is gone and his replacement is the brilliant Richie Faulkner from Dirty Deeds, Voodoo Six and most recently Lauren Harris’ band. Not only did he play the part well, he even looks like KK! However, with Priest, it’s all about Tipton and Halford. Tipton is still one of the most under-rated metal guitarists out there, and will quite likely never get his just due. Contrasting that sentiment is Halford, the metal god, who is positioned in a staggeringly elevated spot as arguably the best and most celebrated metal vocalist ever. As a preface to the arena lights fading, “War Pigs” blasted through the PA. It was cool hearing thousands of fans singing along with Ozzy! Lights out! Cue curtain! Cue pyros! Cue Priest! “Rapid Fire” raged out of the gates with Faulkner and Tipton riffing in unison. Cool as ever, Halford strolled to center stage screaming, ‘Pounding the world like a battering ram…” “Metal Gods”, “Heading out to the Highway”, “Starbreaker”, “Victim of Changes”, etc – all classics delivered with razor-like precision. “Never Satisfied” from “Rocka Rolla” was a surprise with Faulkner handling the leads with aplomb. “Beyond the Realms of Death” is still the best metal ballad ever. Surely, as Priest fans, you know we got pummeled with the live standards: “Painkiller”, “”Electric Eye”, “Breaking the Law”, You got Another Thing Comin”, “Hell Bent for Leather” (with the Harley making a welcome return), and “Livin’ after Midnight”. There were some glitches in the set list too. “Judas Rising”, “Blood Red Skies”, “The Sentinel”, “Prophesy” (with Halford donning that silly robe), and Night Crawler” didn’t really hit the spot. We could have had more from “Stained Class” or “Killing Machine”.
The Epitaph Tour rolls on and all metal fans should bask in the glory that is the Priest! Catch them while you can because a few months from now they will have become just a metal memory.