Nostradamus

DISC 1

Concept albums can be tricky. Two of my favorite albums of all time are concept albums (Operation Mindcrime and The Crimson Idol), but it takes a very delicate balance. You need good songs and a good story. And then each song has to advance the story and not only flow with the songs around it, but be a good song on it's own too. If you have good songs telling a lame story that's no good. If you have lame songs telling a good story, that's no good either. Unfortunately Judas Priest didn't really succeed on either front. This is pretty much two cds of weak songs telling an okay story in a clumsy and awkward fashion. If you are a metal band and you can't get enough mood or emotion out of your music, bringing in an orchestra isn't going to help. The problem isn't the instruments, it's the songs. These songs are unnecessarily long and drawn out and just not very memorable. --Scott

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