Customer Rating:  
Summary: Don't give up on it
Comment: I originally gave this a scathing 1 star review. It was a knee jerk reaction to a cd I was totally not expecting. I played it a dozen times before putting it away claiming this was not the Priest I know and love.
I didn't listen to it again for 2 weeks before I said to myself, "Self. This is the Priest you know and love. Don't give up on it." So back in the cd player it went with a different perspective on what I was going to hear. And what a difference that made. I was hearing songs I thought I'd never heard before, and they were good! Priest obviously took their time and put a lot of work into this, and it shows through the music. Often dark and heavy, sometimes fast, sometimes slow with preludes to many songs that connect and give life to the story they are telling.
So, to those that had preconceived expectations about this cd and were disappointed, I say throw those expectations out of the window and give it another go. You'll be pleasantly surprised. I know I was.
Customer Rating:
Summary: If You Love The Priest, Do NOT Buy This CD
Comment: Judas Priest not only introduced me to Heavy Metal, they taught me how to play guitar, and how to write my own songs and not sound like every other band from the NWOBHM and onward into Thrash/Speed metal. They were a Juggernaut that with every release pushed themselves and myself to greater abilities of writing/playing and live shows that I will NEVER forget. Black Sabbath introduced dark lyrical themes and both Blues leanings and off-kilter time signatures to a heavier style of music. But in my opinion, Judas Priest invented HEAVY METAL, without question, and for that I am eternally grateful.
However, the Priest that I've seen live (even on the unrecognizable "Turbo" tour) is no longer around it would seem. 'Nostradamus' is unfortunately the release from the Priest that exists today, and it shows that whatever magic Halford/Tipton/Downing had for writing some of the most killer metal songs of all time such as "Screaming For Vengeance", "The Sentinel" and "Painkiller", is now lost, probably forever. And I hang my head down and light a candle for the death of it. The mighty Priest has fallen.......
p.s. And to save time on some rebuttal questions, no I do not expect them to repeat themselves over and over. I've played guitar for long enough to know that is idiotic and talentless. In my opinion though, this release is nothing like Judas Priest as I've known them over the years, and they HAVE changed over those years. Just not into....whatever it is that "Nostradamus" is.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Solid Gold
Comment: Not much to say that hasn't already been said. Love this album front to back, played in order... no weak tracks.
My previous favorite JP albums (I am 50 yrs old and got into them with 'The Ripper' from Sad Wings of Destiny)
1) Sad Wings of Destiny (one of my 10 all time fav albums)
2) Stained Glass
3) Sin After Sin
4) Hell Bent for Leather
... all the rest pretty much don't interest me
Now make room for my new #1 JP album, Nostradamus. Awesome music. Grats to the band for going for it and doing it so well.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Not bad... if you liked Ram It Down
Comment: I would never use this album to introduce Judas Priest to a new listener, unless I would want to embarrass myself.
Why could they have done something as horrible as this when they did such amazing albums 30 years ago?... Sad Wings, Sin After Sin, Stained Class, British Steel, Painkiller, etc are all masterpieces, but this is preposterous. This is not evolution, this is lame and disgraceful, to put it mildly.
I'm a huge JP fan since 1980, and I am obviously very disappointed. The music and the compositions are not what JP is capable of doing. Rob Halford is the best rock vocalist ever, but he sounds bad, anguished and annoying here. The lyrics are childish and predictable, but here comes the worse...
AND THE WORSE IS...the drums and the guitars sound almost identical as in Ram It Down (up until now, JP's worst album ever!). Never in my wildest nightmares I would ever think they would return to that godawful sound. You have been warned.
It's the end of the world as we know it...
It's over.
Customer Rating:
Summary: 'Nostradamus' is a Judas Priest tour de force... a masterpiece!
Comment: Having been a Judas Priest fan for a long time, I can say that this album is not the usual Priest. However, I can also say that it's the best I've ever heard! It is truly a masterpiece on so many levels. Unlike the usual Priest, best listened to on a fast drive or a hard run, 'Nostradamus' is best appreciated at high volume in a dark, candlelit room. Intelligent, dark, and thoughtful, this work combines great instrumental performances, Halford's amazing vocal ability, and a well-researched interpretation of the life of a compelling historical figure. Well done!
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