Album Details

• Artist: Judas Priest
• Album: Demolition
• Label: Steamhammer
• Year of Release: 2001
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: gwhill on 2012-11-06

Demolition was the second, and final, Judas Priest studio album to feature singer Tim “Ripper” Owens. I think this disc is both the stronger of the two and the least Judas Priest-like. In a lot of ways, it seemed like the previous one, Jugulator, suffered a bit from the group trying to maintain a “Judas Priest” sound. Owens had been the singer in a Judas Priest tribute band and on that first studio disc he seemed to be trying (with varying degrees of effectiveness) to channel Rob Halford.

With Demolition, the group seemed content to move forward. The sound was heavier and more modern, seeming to play in the same musical territory as things like Rob Zombie, Korn and even Rammstein. Owens was showcasing more of his own sound. The result was an album that seemed more natural and really rocked. It was definitely not the Judas Priest sound of old, but it was also a vital and powerful album. Perhaps they should have considered giving the group a different name to make the difference clearer, but it’s a strong set.

In some ways, it’s one of the most consistent Judas Priest albums. While there are a few tracks that stand particularly high, it really doesn’t have a lot of contrast in terms of quality. Just sampling some of the later cuts show that there are contrasts in terms of volume level and intensity. “Devil Digger” comes in modern and resembles something from Alice Cooper’s super heavy Brutal Planet album.  “Bloodsuckers” is the one song that’s more like classic Judas Priest. It’s frantic and hard-edged. “In Between” (appropriately given the title) is the most dynamic cut on the set and varies between mellower sections and harder rocking ones. It’s also one of the best pieces on the disc. “Subterfuge” is another highlight of the set, at times feeling like Rob Zombie or Korn, but even stretching towards Yes-like progressive rock at points.

Given Rob Halford’s eventual return, the Owens era of Judas Priest was short lived. This strong disc, while not really feeling like Priest, shows that there was some real potential for vital music had they continued. Of course, that direction might have been better served by a different band name because in so many ways, this album stands apart from the rest of the group’s catalog.

User Reviews and Comments