Label: Zero Corporation (Japan), XRCN-2039-40
Style: Heavy Metal, Hard Rock
Country: Birmingham, England
Time: 61:45, 62:00
Format: Flac Tracks 16/44,1 kHz
Size: 452, 442 Mb
Meltdown is the first of two live records with new American singer Tim Owens who had joined British heavy metal legend Judas Priest in difficult times to give them a new face. The studio record Jugulator with its industrial metal style and sinister soundscapes had been received controversially and the same could be said about this release recorded during numerous concerts all around the world in the late nineties.
On the positive side, Meltdown sounds surprisingly fluid. The transitions between songs are smooth. Intercations between the new singer and the crowd are energetic and entertaining. The fans came in big numbers to cheer the band and the enthusiastic crowds can be heard throughout the double album. This release offers value for money with twenty-four songs and a generous running time above two hours. One gets to hear classic and recent songs and no fillers in form of vapid instrumentals or self-indulgent solos. The set list is quite balanced with the band's greatest hits, some obscure fan favourites and five new tunes. The band sounds great performing songs like the energetic "The Ripper" and the brutal "Painkiller" but also smoother songs like the rocking "The Green Manalishi (With the Two-Pronged Crown)" by Fleetwood Mac and the soulful ballad "Diamonds and Rust" by Joan Baez.
On the negative side, the band chemistry still sounds somewhat shaky in a few tracks as "Electric Eye" is a stuttering start and "Metal Gods" lacks enthusiasm. The first disc has its highs and lows while the second one sounds much more coherent and energetic. The new tunes from the Jugulator record don't sound as convincing on stage as on the courageous studio record as they are lacking their pitiless production and atmospheric vibes. The guitar play is overall solid but at times too much by the numbers and not adventurous enough for a live record in my book while the bass guitar is acceptable and the drum sound constantly great.
In the end, Judas Priest's Meltdown reflects the band's strengths and weaknesses throughout the nineties and is an authentic product of its time. It's certainly not among Judas Priest's best live albums but should appeal to anyone who would like to hear a talented new singer breathe new life into some timeless heavy metal classics. Faithful fans and collectors should purchase this release without any regrets but occasional listeners or newcomers should start with legendary Unleashed in the East.
(metal-archives.com/reviews/Judas_Priest/%2798_Live_Meltdown/2819/) Review by kluseba. October 1st, 2019
01. The Hellion (01:09)
02. Electric Eye (03:47)
03. Metal Gods (04:09)
04. Grinder (04:26)
05. Rapid Fire (04:24)
06. Blood Stained (05:08)
07. The Sentinel (05:46)
08. Touch Of Evil (05:51)
09. Burn In Hell (05:34)
10. The Ripper (03:51)
11. Bullet Train (05:58)
12. Beyind The Realms Of Death (07:13)
13. Death Row (04:23)
01. Metal Meltdown (05:03)
02. Night Crawler (06:11)
03. Abductors (05:54)
04. Victim Of Changes (08:31)
05. Diamonds And Rust (03:54)
06. Breaking The Law (02:36)
07. The Green Manalishi (04:53)
08. Painkiller (06:28)
09. You've Got Another Thing Coming (08:35)
10. Hell Bent For Leather (03:48)
11. Living After Midnight (06:02)
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