Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 0886973070826
Label: Sony
Manufacturer: Sony
Number Of Discs: 2
Publisher: Sony
Release Date: 2008-06-17
Studio: Sony
MPN: 730708

This CD contains an insert with an exclusive code for 1 free general admission ticket to Judas Priest on the Metal Masters Tour this summer. Offer good while supplies last.

Customer Rating:
Summary: Los Ultimos seran los primeros
Comment: Este ultima entrega del prodigioso grupo metalero de los 70s es una de las composiciones tan agradable al oido que te da mucha tristeza tener que quitar un disco para escuchar el otro, deseando que fueran seguidos los dos. Ya antes se habia escuchado los sonidos sinteticos en los discos anteriores, muy anteriores (Defenders of the faith, Turbo, Ram it down) pero ahora los sonidos son mas refinados y acoplados. La mezcla del sonido metal y el sintetico es tan bien adaptada, es como si te diera un respiro para poder continuar con las otras canciones(dawn of creation,shadows in the flame, calm before the storm). Las canciones mas adictivas son Exile, Alone, Visions, Prophecy y Pestilence and plaque.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Music = excellent. Concept = so-so.
Comment: I can understand why Judas Priest's Nostradamus is controversial. It's completely unlike anything they've ever done before and only occasionally sounds like Judas Priest. Nostradamus has more in common with progressive and symphonic metal than Priest's classic sound. I happen to be a huge of progressive/symphonic metal and Judas Priest, so that's perfect. The music here is excellent. These songs are among the most complex and beautiful compositions that Downing, Tipton and Halford have ever attempted. There's a lot of variety, with acoustic guitars, keyboards, strings (or simulated strings anyway) giving the record a very epic, very operatic sound. I dig this, but not everyone is going to. The concept is adequate, but really I'm mostly interested in the music. I have no idea what Halford is singing about half the time, but I don't really care. I would enjoy this record no less if it were completely instrumental, though I would certainly miss Halford's vocals. The lyrics are a bit on the cheesy side. They're mostly the same heavy metal cliches that Priest has been using for 25 years. Anyone who has seen "This is Spinal Tap" will certainly find much to giggle about. Somewhere in all the cliches is supposedly the story of the life of Nostradamus, but I can't find it. The lyrics are my biggest criticism, but the great music more than makes it worthwhile.

Naturally, this is really not Judas Priest's forte. The conceptual metal thing is probably best left to groups like Dream Theater, Blind Guardian, Epica and Symphony X. However, it's certainly an interesting, ambitious change of pace for the band and I'm happy that they attempted it. If you want Judas Priest to attempt to remake Painkiller or Screaming for Vengeance with every record, you will probably not like Nostradamus. But for those who are a bit more adventurous and can appreciate a bit of variety, Nostradamus should be a very rewarding listen.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: With all fairness to Spinal Tap......
Comment: A lot of the criticism for this snickeringly stupid Priest outing is that they are bordering on Spinal Tap territory. I think it's time to ease up on the Tap. They were trying to be funny. I don't think that is the intent here. Imagine how much funnier Spinal Tap could have been if this was around when that movie came out; they would have so much much more (utterly ridiculous) material to lampoon.

As for my review - there are 23 songs, 6 or 7 are good musically and would be strong if the lyrics were not so stupid. The others are filler, plenty of keyboards, acoustic guitars, and plain all out wastes of time.

Still, the concept is so dumb. I don't even think I could have taken it seriously if they released this 25 years ago when I was 16. The only age group that would appreciate this would not be allowed to buy it because their mommies don't think they are old enough.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: A masterpiece for the open minded
Comment: if you listen to this thinking of the story of Nostradamus and imagining having the "gift/curse" of premonition, it's a beautiful record. or if you happen to have a broad range of musical interests - i never tire of the "symphonic meets metal" fusion, or most other musical fusions, for that matter.

but you might not get it if you don't know the story, or come in with your own prejudices of what a JP record should be...or if you expect to instantly get everything you hear -- a rather unrealistic expectation, honestly.

then again, i'm a music teacher, so i'm interested in music of all genres and traditions. (and much of what i listen to doesn't make sense the first time...but that's how i know that i'm being challenged as a listener.)

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Customer Rating:
Summary: "I AM NOSTRADAMUS!!!"
Comment: I thought this was going to be cool, but I listened to a few tracks and found out that it was far from it. One tell-tale sign (pre-listening) was that Ayreon did the exact same thing with a fictional character and a massive backstory. (And he did it better)
JP's Nostradamus (character) is too self-aware, cognizant of his own power, and very boastful. They did not think his psychology through.

The opening track is excellent, a brooding instrumental piece, but after that, the album is a shopping cart full of bricks. The writing is extremely poor. "I am Nostradamus!" is the only phrase in the chorus of the second track.

After learning of who Judas Priest is, the second tell-tale sign that Nostradamus would be awful was how late they are in their career writing
a rock opera.

Just don't buy this CD. It was a poor effort. Listen to Ayreon instead.

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