Halford IV - Made Of Metal

To be honest, I wasn't expecting this album at all. I felt after Angel of Retribution most of Halford's vocals was going down hill. I guess even he has realised that now and doesn't attempt any of his signature screaming that can be identified distinctly on this album... But what the hell... He is the Metal God and I love the Priest.

Back to the album... Several in-you-face tempo'd metal songs which is always good but on this album you can even find a bit of country rock kind of material which swells into an epic song (Till the day I die). Give it a few listen and I guarantee you will love this song.

Another good track is Thunder and Lightning (this has a very similar feel to the underrated 'Reckless' off Turbo meets 'Heart of a Lion'). I have listened to this song at least about 50 times in the last 2 days and it still sounds fresh.

I'm not going to write too much on this review... Would suggest you give this album a listen and you will be surprised.

Everyone of Halford's solo efforts is very different .... MiM fills a hole not currently occupied by any of his other releases

But when I say 'in a good way' i mean think Some Heads Are Gonna Roll, Out In The Cold, Fever, Temptation, Worth Fighting For, and to an extent Made In Hell .... and DEFINATELY NOT Parental Guidance ... but it is an immediate album ... so your gonna know if you are gonna like it or not pretty much straight away .... just dont be too discouraged by the first track ... because it gets much much better

I think its a very well written album, emphasise being on vocal melody ... the complete other end of the spectrum from the dark and shrill Small Deady Space

I can see why people see it as Rob having fun rather than a serious release .... but i totally disagree .... its true the production is very different ... a very simple, back to basics sound with an almost live feel .... for me it really works

It is occasionally cheesy in places but never to the extremes of Parental Guidance or say One Will ... or that one on Nostradamus that bangs on about his shiny shield or something like that .... its cheesy in a nice way .... good singalong tunes is the best way i can describe it ... some people might call it 'safe' ... i would probably call it brilliantly safe .... and how many times have we wished our favorite bands would just concentrate on doing the great stuff we're used to rather than experimenting ... Halford has done his fair share of experimenting already

Plenty of variety too .... fast and slow pace .... nice instrumental florishes

I really think Halford fans that are unsure should give it a try ... i was a little apprehensive having heard some of the single releases since Crucible ... which mostly sounded like old tracks that hadnt made it on to previous albums .... well its ten times better than those and for my money is right up there with Resurection

Its not gonna be for everyone, its not an all time classic, but in my view it is a very very solid 5 stars, and also better than either of priests last 2 albums .... even if you end up disagreeing with me, you owe it to yourself to at least check it out and experience Halford doing something completely different (from his other solo releases) yet again

Fans of his heavier work should at least check out The Mower

I for one am very pleased and it saddens me to say that, from the evidence of Halfords solo releases, it seems to me that recently, JP actually dilute Halfords natural ability to write great tunes

These are just my personal views so dont Crucify me!

more details (added after 5 listens)

8.5/10 Undisputed: A perfectly good riffathon, slightly spoiled by a chorus that doesnt quite feel right ... but redeemed by epic solos and riffage in the 2nd half of the song. Very aware my other review made it sound like it was an album of semi ballads .... have no idea what made me write that ... its full of beans ... I guess i was trying to describe the singing style

9.5/10 Fire and Ice: Slightly cheesy but in a brilliant way .... im guessing an instant marmite .... but i loved it ... another thumping riff ride

10/10 Made of Metal: A slightly slower chugg king that resonates with power and attempts to rip your face off.... a slightly unusual chorus that works brilliantly ... I would say if you like Locked and Loaded youll love this ... i could imagine Rammstein covering this

10/10 Speed of Sound: Yet another chugger with an amazingly infectious chorus (which would sound amazing with Ozzy guesting on at Ozzfest)

6/10 Like Theres No Tommorow: My least favorite on the album, but if you like One Shot At Glory youll love this

9/10 Til The Day I Die: Very strong song in a southern bluesy style but with the heaviness of and feel of Revolution/Love Zone ... amazing vocals

10/10 We Own The Night: My personal favorite ..kicks off a bit Touch of Evilish, but dont think Halford has done a chorus like this before ... almost a folk feel ... very heartfealt but no ballad ... building to a beautiful crescendo and an epic vocal performance

9.5/10 Heartless ... Pace and feel of Some Heads Are Gonna Roll ... another one of my favorites ... would sit quite comfortably on Pyromania

9/10 Hell Razor: Really reminds me of Malice's License to Kill album ... Rob even sings a bit like him .... some lovely twin guitar soloing

9/10 Thunder and Lightning: Like another reviewer ... this reminds me a bit of Reckless ... same pace and feel but with a little less drive and a bit more of a singalong chorus than that of the spine tingling one in Reckless .... great tune tho

7.5/10 Twenty Five Years: The slowest song on the album and a fairly successful ballad ... beautiful verses and more nice twin guitar and acoustic soloing... but i guess a marmite chorus which lets it down a bit for me

8/10 (Verse 6/ Chorus 10) Matador: A Breaking the Law style riff and probably the cheesiest vocals lead into a rocking good chorus ... i cant skip the song cos the chorus is so good ... the solo kicks ass too

8/10 I Know We Stand A Chance: A semi slow song which promises so much at the outset, great verses, but while the choruses are also nice, feel a little muddled, awkward and over-long ... bit of a missed opportunity

10/10 The Mower: OK ... the priest album is over for the final song ... this is Halford at his heaviest and the only song like it on the CD .... amazing riffs and screaming vocals ... and omg those drums .... slight Pantera overtones ... Reminds you of Halfords diversity and a brilliant way to finish the album

Yep theres the odd dip here and there, but this is an exceptionally consistent return to for for Rob ... I can imagine it staying in my CD player for a very long time ... theres few albums which are solid from start to finish and i consider this would have been an 80's classic to rival and possibly exceed anything Priest has ever done

Its Metal 'in the zone'

I was not expecting this to be anywhere near as good as it is. Resurection was excellent, Crucible was not. Winter Songs was a little of both. Halford 4 is superb.

So many catchy tunes/melodies - and incredible guitar solos (don't attempt playing air guitar along with these, as you'll knacker your fingers!)

Even The Mower sounds a gem - thankfully, though, not representative of the true spirit & sound of the whole album.