Made Of Metal

My 1st impression on seeing the album cover & pictures on this CD was that Rob Halford released "Made of Metal" simply to promote his business (MetalGod Apparel, MetalGod Record etc...). Not really a bad release but not really a good one either. The good songs on this CD are really good & the not so good ones are, well... Not so good. Songs like "The Speed of Sound", "Til the Day I Die" & "Thunder & Lightning" demonstrate the talent of he band & what they can do when they're on the right track. Other songs like "Undisputed" (Not sure who is that undisputed champion of the world), the title track (NASCAR, aliens & Metal is just too much of a weird mix for me) & Matador (What's Metal about a bull?) Kinda' leaves you wondering what was Rob Halford was thinking. While the band sounds solid all through "Made of Metal", the lyrics are suffering from a severe lack of imagination. My personal belief is that this album was rushed & the band simply didn't put enough time in the song writing process. All Judas Priest, Fight & Halford fans we'll more than likely only buy this CD to complete their collection & let it collect dust on the shelf only after a few listen. So, if you're a young new Metal fan who wants to discover what Rob Halford is all about then don't start with this album.

Don't get me wrong, I love all the man's work; Priest, Fight, Halford, ... I even love the Two CD. I was really looking forward to this after the odd "Winter Songs" release last year. Unfortunately Halford 4 is quite the let down. Its full of awkward lyrical passages (just listen to the lead off track "Undisputed". And things that just sound... well, kind of lame (Fire And Ice for example). And hello, lyrics about NASCAR??!! Is there anything lamer on the entire planet?? .... well. Maybe professional wrestling.... This is the worst (and cheesiest) CD Rob has ever released, solo wise, or with a band.

When Bruce Dickenson paired with Roy Z they put out some great albums including "Accident of Birth" which far exceeds any of the Iron Maiden Albums of recent years! Now Rob Halford and Roy Z have created another instant classic. This album is great from start to finish. Made of Metal contains the Judas Priest Style Anthems that have been missing in recent years. Every song is great and 10 of the 14 could be singles. If this album was released 20 years ago we would be going to a Halford 20th Anniversary show where they play every song from start to finish. Only this does have a 2010 feel to it and the production value is excellent!

By far the best album of the year! By the way this is the first review of any album I have ever written. However, this album is that good and deserves at least a few words and most definetly a listen!