Alpharetta, GA — The spring chill in the air didn’t slow the crowd gathered on Friday at Ameris Bank Amphitheatre who were ready to catch fire by Judas Priest’s 50 Heavy Metal Years Tour. For tonight, metal maniacs packing the venue were most obviously geared up for full-throttle horsepower after tour postponement and the courageous recovery of guitarist Richie Faulker following his September 2021 acute cardiac aortic dissection. It was an evening of celebration that would highlight the band’s milestone anniversary.
In full metal glory, the mighty Judas Priest went into overdrive and delivered an electric,fury-filled evening. The stage production was industrial in nature and hosted barrels labeled “JP Metal Works – Founded: 1970 Birmingham, England.” The visual imagery was topped with front man Rob Halford donning his familiar and esteemed image of leather and studs, while the singer-songwriter seemingly effortlessly projected his influential and immediately recognizable vocal style. The current touring line-up also consists of guitarists Richie Faulkner and Andy Sneap, bassist Ian Hill, drummer Scott Travis, and special appearances by Glenn Tipton.
The wickedly awesome set highlighted a five decade-long legacy and range, including “Lighting Strike” from the more recent 2018 album Firepower, “Painkiller” from the band’s 12th studio album in 1990, and “Rocka Rolla” from the 1974 debut studio album. The encore featured heavyweights “Breaking the Law” and “Living After Midnight” from the 1980 album British Steel and the climactic moment when guitarist Glenn Tipton joined the band onstage. The collection of songs in the set emphasized how each album has held its own strength and reinforced how heavy metal music harvests a sense of freedom.
PHOTO GALLERY
Judas Priest Set List
War Pigs (song played from tape)
Battle Hymn (song played from tape)
One Shot at Glory
Lightning Strike
You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’
Freewheel Burning
Turbo Lover
Hell Patrol
The Sentinel
A Touch of Evil
Rocka Rolla
Victim of Changes
Desert Plains
Blood Red Skies
Diamonds & Rust (Joan Baez cover)
Painkiller
Encore:
The Hellion (song played from tape)
Electric Eye
Hell Bent for Leather
Metal God
Breaking the Law
Living After Midnight
We Are the Champions (Queen song) (song played from tape)
Show Date: March 25, 2022
The double bill also includes the explosive Queensrÿche, which will be covered in detail by our Philadelphia correspondent after the tour drops in at The Met tomorrow!
