Judas Priest

Metal was never the same in terms of fashion or music once Rob Halford and his Priest hit the scene in their iconic leather fetish gear. Almost 30 years later, the question of whether Judas Priest are making relevant music is almost irrelevant. You can listen to their newest release, a concept album called Nostradamus, and judge for yourself, but let's just say that the days of British Steel have passed. However, in a concert climate inundated with the has-beens, it's perfectly fine to let nostalgia lead you into hearing some of the best early metal tracks when you might have to sift through decades worth of off-and-on mediocre output. But when it's all said and done, what retains Priest's reputation in the annals of rock music history is the magic of those double Glenn Tipton and K.K. Downing guitars, and Halford's menacingly proper howl. With Metal Church. All ages.
Sat., Aug. 2, 6:30 p.m., 2008