According to Billboard, JUDAS PRIEST's "Firepower" has entered the Billboard 200 chart at position No. 5, making it the band's highest-charting album ever. 2014's "Redeemer Of Souls" debuted and peaked at No. 6, while 2008's "Nostradamus" landed at No. 11 and 2005's "Angel Of Retribution" came in at No. 13.
"Firepower" moved 49,000 equivalent album units in first week of release. Of that sum, 48,000 were in traditional album sales, just shy of the 54,000 copies sold by "Angel Of Retribution" in that album's first week. The "Firepower" chart position was bolstered by sales generated from a concert ticket/album sale redemption offer in association with the band's current North American tour.
The Billboard 200 chart ranks the most popular albums of the week based on multi- metric consumption, which includes traditional album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) and streaming equivalent albums (SEA).
As previously reported, "Firepower" landed at position No. 5 on the U.K. album chart. It marks the band's highest ranking, and first time in the Top 10, since "British Steel" reached No. 4 in 1980. Elsewhere, "Firepower" has also become PRIEST's first-ever No. 1 in Sweden.
"Firepower" was released on March 9 via Epic. The disc was recorded by British producer Andy Sneap, the band's longtime collaborator Tom Allom and engineer Mike Exeter (BLACK SABBATH). The cover artwork for "Firepower" was created by the Chilean/Italian artist Claudio Bergamin.
JUDAS PRIEST "Firepower" world tour marks the band's first run of dates since guitarist Glenn Tipton announced that he was retiring from the road due to his battle with Parkinson's disease. He is being replaced on tour by Sneap, also known for his work as the guitar player in NWOBHM revivalists HELL and cult thrash outfit SABBAT.
Tipton was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease four years ago — after being stricken by the degenerative condition at least half a decade earlier — but only recently announced he was going to sit out touring activities in support of "Firepower". The guitarist, who is now 70 and has performed on every PRIEST album since the band's 1974 debut set, "Rocka Rolla", is not quitting the band, but simply cannot handle the rigorous challenges of performing live.
The North American leg of the "Firepower" tour will wrap on May 1 in San Antonio, Texas.
Fine, but just let your communitah know that the release of this satanic music led by a homosexual R&R pioneer isn't really "news" but a source of your personal ear-candy.
(Here's someone's who's obviously a former Judas Priest fan, seeing the band in the light and exposing it.
I watched and listened to Alford in your youtube. He wasn't very credible when describing the song's meaning. At best he's as usual calling for a mere rebellion. This time he calls the enemy "The Administration." Which one? The US Gummint? God's Kingdom? You tell me.
All of I can take from this band is about 10 seconds.
To each his own, but I consider Death Metal the equivalent of White Rap. There is no real melody. It's not "singing," it's one long chant.
You seem to still be deluded about who and what the band is truly about; Alford is STILL a flaming Satanic homo and Judas Priest OPENLY proselytized for rebellion and Satan, in tone, lyrically, symbolically, through its very vibe.
Look -- I've had to refrain from some music I used to like....before I realized what it was really about.
Regarding the "Firepower" title: Gee, what do you you think Halford is referring to??
About destroying bad guys. It is what we need to do to the evil radical muslims that is the way I see it. Would be a killer song to listen to if you were in war and had the artillary going shooting the enemy up.
"Firepower"
With weapons drawn we claim the future Invincible through every storm Bring in the foe to be defeated To pulverize from dusk till dawn
Firepower Petrifies Firepower
The die is cast, make no exceptions We're forged by evil to compel Come rally round this flag of freedom Our unions thrives so go to hell
Firepower Taking lives Firepower Neutralize
Empty the chamber Lock and reload This world thrives on danger It's bound to explode
Aim for the target With laser and light Releasing the trigger Puts victory in sight
No time to pray or ask forgiveness Those blessed souls are now deceased There is no sense in this contrition With open arms we fight for peace
We fight with firepower Petrifies Firepower Between the eyes Firepower Mortifies Firepower Man's demise
"The die is cast, make no exceptions We're forged by evil..." "Come rally round this flag of freedom [to do evil] Our [demonic] unions thrives so go to hell [with us]..." No time to pray or ask forgiveness [from God]..." "This world [of Satan] thrives on danger It's bound to explode..."
Their tone and vibe were still not "Godly." No such thing as "Messiah Metal." The lyrics don't change it. I understand that's what the genre of Death Metal is, but naah.
"Good Music" is said to be defined by 5 characteristics:
1) Beautiful melody 2) Rich Harmony 3) Rhythm or Flow 4) Resolution -- Blend of components then a nice and closing 5) Meaningful Communication, aka Lyrics
Do I necessarily always listen to music like this? Not all the time. But the formula does work.
Interestingly, it's also been said that religion and music are inseparable. That music is a spiritual barometer of man and his spirit. We know music can affect or alter a man's emotion or heart -- in all ways. It's that powerful. Remember when the US Army used to blare Death Metal to the enemy in the Middle East? It can be intimidating, a weapon of sorts. Besides the mind and emotions, it even affect the physiology of humans. Ever notice that concerts have a "religious" feel to it? The stage is like an altar, the band its "Priests'.
Music isn't neutral. That why a group like Stryper -- despite its God-centered lyrics still drives disturbing beat, bass line and guitar work that's as chaotic and disturbing as other "Heavy Metal" music in its genre.
