Judas Priest Brought the Firepower to Hard Rock Hollywood
In support of their latest explosive new album of the same name, legendary hard rockers Judas Priest returned to North America and brought their Firepower tour to the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Events Center in Hollywood, Florida, May 3.
These hard-hitting rockers have more than four decades of creating and performing, proof that when you create long-lasting music along with lifelong fans it equals a longstanding relationship that earns their well-deserved respect in the music business. Playing before a sold-out Hard Rock Live crowd, Judas Priest kicked off the first date of the U.S. leg of the Firepower tour.
This was a night that delivered some rare Judas Priest songs along with several live debuts from the band’s most current album. The anticipation from the black-wearing strident crowd was building and finally exploded when supporting and fellow British rockers Uriah Heep took the stage. It was exactly what the fans of Judas Priest needed, as long-standing hard rockers Uriah Heep delivered a set of some of the hardest rock emanating from the UK. The table was set, and those who chose not to see the opener filled the venue, settled in and generated a level of energy that erupted when Judas Priest took the stage. The rock legends got things started with “Necromancer,” a song off their 2018 album Firepower. Until now, this song had never been played live since its release.
Now in full rock attack mode, lead vocalist Rob Halford led the charge while guitarists Richie Faulkner and Andy Sneap shredded every lick and Scott Travis pounded on the drums. Collectively they came prepared to deliver the fire and power that Judas Priest has been unfailingly known for its heavy metal rock since it first took the stage in 1969.
Throughout the nearly non-stop spectacular show, Judas Priest delivered an electric light show that accompanied some of their hits, including “The Sentinel,” “Heading Out to the Highway,” “Spectre,” “(Take These) Chains,” “Judas Rising,” “Out in the Cold,” “Traitors Gate,” “Starbreaker,” “Steeler,” “Halls Of Valhalla,” “Killing Machine” and “No Surrender.”
After nearly an hour and a half of non-stop hammering of the band’s very best, Judas Priest closed out their set with “Hell Bent for Leather.” Then the lights went black, and the chants of “Priest” commenced. There was no doubt that there was some unfinished business, and nobody was leaving until it was resolved. Within minutes the roar of a Harley Davidson pierced our ear drums, raising the energy range once again. The crowd showed their approval by raising their arms with devil horns proudly displayed on each hand. As the crowd got louder, the melodramatic sounds of the cycle revved higher. Rob Halford, in full leathers, rode his custom Harley on stage and parked it mid-stage and set out to belt out perhaps their biggest hit, “Breaking the Law,” a song that the crowd sang word for word from start to last guitar riff. Halford sang the entire song while sitting on the bike, staff in hand directing traffic and looking like a four-star general directing his troops to battle.
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the night was a rare appearance by long-tenured bandmate Glenn Tipton, who is no longer touring with the band due to a recent battle with Parkinson’s disease that limits his guitar playing. Tipton, who along with Ian Hill has played on every one of the 18 Judas Priest albums, has made it known that he refuses to play with a backing guitarist or tracks. Tipton along with the rest of his bandmates transitioned into the final song of the night with “Living After Midnight.” This was to be the final song of the night, and what was delivered was nothing short of epic.
As expected, Judas Priest played a flawless set. They were tight and loud and delivered exactly what everyone in the packed venue came for: a night of ear-piercing heavy metal hits by the legendary British rockers. If you have never experienced seeing Judas Priest live, this is a band clearly focused not only on the music but also on the production of the live music experience.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChZ3iHZgUIQ
Judas Priest FIREPOWER Tour 2019 Setlist
Necromancer
The Sentinel
Heading Out to the Highway
Spectre
(Take These) Chains
Judas Rising
Out in the Cold
Traitors Gate
Starbreaker
Steeler
Halls Of Valhalla
Killing Machine
No Surrender
Victim Of Changes
All Guns Blazing
Hell Bent For Leather
Encores
Breaking The Law
Living After Midnight