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Judas Priest, Heaven & Hell, Motorhead, & Testament Destroy San Bernardino, Sat Aug 30th
Topics: music, concert, review, heavy metal, rock, judas priest, San Bernardino
Posted by saguarowestphotography Wed Sep 3, 2008 13:05:44 PDT
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Ok, I am about recovered from Saturday night's 'Metal Masters' show at the Glen Helen Pavilion in San Bernardino, at least enough to write a review at least. I almost did not go because of my truck situation, but I finally said 'screw it' and went anyways, even though I had to borrow somebody else's car.

I had a killer seat - Orch 2, Row w, seat 30 - dead center! Just a bit further back than when I saw Priest at Irvine Meadows in 2005, but still good enough. The bands included Testament, Motorhead, Heaven and Hell (in actuality 80s era Black Sabbath with Ronnie James Dio out in front), and the mighty Metal Gods themselves, Judas Priest.

Testament took the stage while people were still entering the venue and getting their drinks & finding their seats, but they put on a good show. I've seen em once before but am not totally familiar with their stuff. Sound was good. Pretty basic stage setup. Large artwork behind em, slightly elevated drum riser, no true props.

Motorhead came on and blew out everyone's ears of course - what else would you expect?  LOL. "We're Motorhead and we play Rock n Roll" was their motto for the night. Another simple stage setup, except their drummer was a lot more elevated than was Testament's. Excellent drum solo! Set list included Ace of Spades, Metropolis, Killed by Death, and Overkill. Not sure I knew the rest of the songs.

Heaven and Hell was next, and their stage set was a lot more elaborate. Winged gargolyes to each side, with gates on each side of another elevated drum riser. Light show was fantastic, mostly to simulate the fires of hell, etc. Dio can still sing with the best of em. Setlist included Die Young, Sign of the Southern Cross, Falling off the Edge of the World, "I", Time Machine, Mob Rules, Heaven and Hell (ext version!) and Neon Knights. Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler did an amazing job, and we got the night's 2nd drum solo from Vinnie Appice. This was my main reason for coming - how many times will you get to see the two bands considered to be the Godfathers of Heavy Metal, on stage in the same night??

Judas Priest took the stage about 9:35, beginning with Dawn of Creation and Prophecy, from the new 'Nostradamus' cd - which is a masterpiece - if you haven't picked it up yet - go grab it! Rob Halford began the night dressed up as kind of a Heavy Metal Pope, with his long silver hooded trenchcoat. He remained hooded throughout 'Prophecy' and removed it in time for 'Metal Gods', which just kicked!! One of the greatest metal anthems of all time, and even better when performed live, and at the right speed, which they are definitely doing this tour. The last couple of tours I've seen them, they've played it just a bit too slow.

"Eat Me Alive" and "Dissident Aggressor", two of of the handful of songs that have never been played live before, were big highlights of the evening. Rob did appear to be using the teleprompter a lot, which is kind of a bummer to see, but still, he has The Voice. Just amazing. He struggled only on "Painkiller". KK and Glenn were in top form, Ian was at his usual post, and Scott seemed to be getting into the show more than usual. He's known for looking a little bored at times during shows, but not Sat night.

Other songs included Between the Hammer/Anvil, Hell Patrol, Rock Hard Ride Free, Angel, Devil's Child, Electric Eye, Breakin the Law, Hell Bent, Green Manalishi, and Rob bantered back and forth with the crowd just before going into Another Thing Comin as the usual show ender.

Priest is planning to come back around and play Nostradamus in its entirety in 2009. Don't miss it!

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