Judas Priest Album: “Rising in the East”

I was actually at this show. I flew to Japan and saw this show and the Osaka show.

This is actually the 2nd show at Budokan. The band played the night before, and the sales were so strong, that they added a second date. This 2nd was how also nearly sold-out...only a few seats in the upper corners were available.

Knowing the band, and being there...I can fill in a few details. First of all, this was a last minute thing. The DVD shoot was thrown together very quickly. There was even some doubt in Osaka that it could be done. The Japanese pulled it off.

The show in Osaka was awesome. Huge arena and completely sold-out. Worth Fighting For was put in the set for the very first time. Rob's voice that night was very good, considering the previous shows in Japan.

Two days later, was the first Budokan show. I was supposed to go, but amazingly...couldn't find the arena nor could I explain to any taxi driver where I wanted to go. So I missed it. Apparently, the Japanese do not pronounce it BOO DOH CON, but pronounce it BEE OOH DOO CON. Pronounciation, is apparently critical in Japanese, or so I've learned.

The next night, (back to back nights) Priest played this show recorded on the DVD. First of all...I've seen Rob on this tour about 6 or 7 times. People are critical of his voice that it's not like it was 30 years ago. Come on! He's been signing straight through for over 30 years and certainly still has better pipes at 50+ than many of his peers (hello Robert Plant). That said, Rob does not hit all the high notes he hit back in the 70's and 80's, but I think his voice is more interesting. He uses more textures in varying pitches to sing the songs and then hits the critical high notes when needed. When needed...he does it better than MANY of the newer metal singers.

On this particular night, I was floored. From the previous reviews, you are correct..the first 3 songs, Rob clearly wasn't warmed up. But sitting in the crowd, I could easily tell by track 4 or 5...that he was not only warmed up, he was going to KILL the crowd. I was amazed that after back to back shows, he was better this night, than he was 3 or 4 days ago in Osaka. The difference was obvious. After the show, I asked him...did he let it out tonight, knowing it was the last day of the tour for 6 weeks? He said, that he could feel his voice kick in after getting warm. When he realized he was going to be "on", he knew he could push it, given the break coming up. It shows.

So anyone watching the DVD...listen carefully to his voice from song 2 or 3...to about song 6 or 7. Notice the changes as the show goes on. You're watching a singer get confident.

The crowd responded as well. The normal crowd in Japan is very well mannered. In Osaka, I was not prepared for them to cheer enthusiastically at the end of each song, only to dip into COMPLETE silence between songs. To hear NOTHING with 18,000 people is quite strange. But the Budokan crowd was, while well mannered, definitely more rowdy...downright Riot, by Japan standards. With many dressed in business suits from work (show started at 7PM Promptly, no opening acts) with their metal studs, they definitely responded and by the encores...they were cheering wildly.

It was a concert I will remember for ever, in a venue deep with tradition and great acoustics.

Buy the DVD...and just enjoy great metal music, done well and don't bother comparing them to their 20's....nobody is the same in their 50's as they were in their 20's. But these guys are close.

Interesting to read the reviews. I'm going to bring a different perspective. I'm in my late 30s, grew up pretty much hating Judas Priest. Thought everything they did was a bit silly.

A few months ago I'm flipping through the channels and see this concert on INHD. I thought, ok, this should be funny, some old rockers trying to relive their youth.

I watched the whole show. When it came on again, I watched it again. Saw it a third time. Went online and started reading about Glenn and K.K. Came back to Amazon and bought the DVD. I think this DVD is tremendous. I have no historical baggage so IMO Halford sounds and moves in a way that I appreciate. I like the plodding broodness as it fits the mood of the music better. Standouts for me are Revolution, Hellrider and Exciter. Outside of Breakin the Law and You Got Another Thing Comin, I had never heard any of these songs before.

I am a new fan of JP. Tipton is one of the best tonal guitarists I have ever seen. Nothing seems self-indulgent. It is there because the song needs it. Excellent.

With Rob Halford back in the fold, and last year's release of the comeback album of the year with "Angel of Retribution", Judas Priest is back, and this concert DVD is proof that they still have it. Rising in the East finds Priest performing in Tokyo's famed Budokan to a roaring crowd, and surprising enough the band still has energy to burn even all these years later. The track list is basically perfect for even novice Priest fans, including songs you'd expect ("Breaking the Law", "Living After Midnight", "You've Got Another Thing Coming"), fan favorite classics ("Beyond the Realms of Death", "Diamonds and Rust", "Victim of Changes"), and new songs from their recent album (the pounding "Judas Rising", "Revolution", "Deal With the Devil"), which is a nice mix. Halford still sounds great, and the guitar combo of K.K. Downing and Glenn Tipton still packs a punch. The sound quality is excellent, and the video quality is solid, but the only downside of the DVD is that there aren't any extras included, but the fact that this concert DVD is as great as it is should be more than enough to satisfy any Priest fan. All in all, Rising in the East is as essential as it gets.

I agree with some of the others that say Rob's voice is lacking, but just it seems to get better the further you get into the show. I was ready to turn the DVD off after the first few songs because he sounded pretty bad and drowned out by the band, but by the time "Judas Rising" rolls around it's as if the old Rob has returned. I actually think he does a good job with the high notes; it's some of the normal lyrics that sound rough. But by the time we get to "Victim Of Changes," all that is forgotten. And as usual, KK and Glen and the rhythm section don't miss a lick! Not as good as the Memphis show (23 years ago), but definitely a keeper.

I have been a big JP fan since 1979. Very well shot. Excellent performance and sound in this DVD. Glenn, KK, Ian and Scott can still rock as the best. I am actually satisfied with my purchase and enjoy watching it... a 5-STAR rating so far.

HOWEVER, I can only rate this DVD 3 stars because Rob Halford's voice is one of Judas Priest's main trademarks, and his voice did not respond that night. He is my all-time favorite singer (in a close tie with with Steve Walsh, Brian Connolly and Phil Mogg).

Unfortunately, Rob's voice was completely shut during this performance. A very disappointing fact since I have a Live in Rio DVD with his band Halford from some 3 years ago. His singing there was as spectacular as he's ever been. Conversely, listening to Halford trying to sing "Exciter" in this DVD was painful, maybe even embarrassing. Even during the acoustic version of "Diamonds and Rust" he struggled big time. I am sorry, of course I give Halford a break, but I am just trying to be honest and to warn you when considering buying this DVD.