Metal Gods and Court Jesters: Judas Priest with Steel Panther

by Deb Rao
– Senior Columnist —

November 14 at the Pearl Theater at the Palms in Las Vegas, NV. —

Rock and Roll is alive and well. As metal fans rushed into the sold out show at the Pearl Theater at the Palms in Las Vegas featuring Judas Priest and Steel Panther. Metal God Rob Halford is still at the top of his game. This is the bands 40th Anniversary tour. Judas Priest is touring in support of their latest release Redeemer Of Souls.

As the intro of “War Pigs” blasted from the speakers, Judas Priest were getting ready to unleash their metal onslaught to the masses. The band kicked off the set with “Drgaonaut.” The set list spanned their extensive career. Rob Halford was in full metal glory in his long leather coat and his massive vocals unleashed in full Priest power.

The stage setting was massive. There were three video screens. Lots of glitz and glamor for Sin City. The double guitar assault was mastered by Glen Tipton and Richie Faulkner. This was the first time seeing Richie perform and I was pretty impressed. Guitar lovers unite, as the two accomplished guitarists brought down the house with their powerful shredding.

Highlights of the set included the poppy “Love Bites.” The green lights reflected the eerie mood of the song. “Turbo Lover” was spectacular. The Priest slowed things down only for a moment of the beautiful guitar intro of “Beyond The Realms Of Death.”

The tail end of the set was metal crushing, as Judas Priest took no prisoners. It all began with Rob Halford riding onstage on his Harley on “Hellbent For Leather.” The three-song encore commenced with “You Got Another Thing Coming”, “Living After Midnight”, and “Defenders Of The Faith.”

It was a show metal fans dreamed of. This is why Judas Priest reigns as one of metal’s top bands. At the end of the show Rob commented that the band started 40 years ago in pubs in Birmingham. He had no idea he would still be performing 40 years later. He told the fans to hold on to their dreams. It was so inspiring seeing Judas Priest who are Rock Royalty still rocking hard today. They have inspired so many musicians.

Set List:
Dragonaut
Metal Gods
Devils Child
Victim Of Changes
Halls Of Valhalla
Love Bites
March Of The Damned
Turbo Lover
Redeemer Of Souls
Beyond The Realm Of Death
Jawbreaker
Breaking The Law
Hellbent For Leather
You Got Another Thing Coming
Living After Midnight
Defenders Of The Faith

Visit the Judas Priest online @ www.facebook.com/officialjudaspriest.

Steel Panther was the perfect act to open the show. The band has been garnering fans and getting their act together for the past ten years. Although, Steel Panther is kind of geared in the Glam Rock vibe, their show was a lot of fun. Actually, Steel Panther is all about bringing the fun back to metal. There is a method behind their brilliant stage persona.

Steel Panther got to showcase their talent in a 60-minute set. The set began with the song “Pussywhipped.” Highlight of the show was “Asian Hooker.” When the band brought up an Asian girl pretending to be a hooker to the band! It was hilarious. Michael Starr took full advantage of the evening shouting out comments to members of the audience. Michael has a stage persona and voice that reminds me of David Lee Roth! I actually remember Michael AKA Ralph Saenz when he fronted LA Guns at a show in Boston. He has some good vocal qualities.

Highlight of the set was the bands hit “Community Property.” Bass player Lexxi Fox looked great. The band can rock. Other highlights included their anthem “Death To All But Metal.” I encourage everyone to catch their act. It is pretty entertaining. You have to experience a Steel Panther show to really get into the thick of things! Steel Panther are really good musicians behind the glamour and glitz. Their skit is kind of like a stage show. It reminds me when Poison and the glam thing first came out. It is very Hollywood glitz.

Set List:
Pussywhipped
Party Like Tomorrow Is The End Of The World
Asian Hooker
Just Like Tiger Woods
Community Property
Eyes Of A Panther
17 Girls In A Row
Glory Hole
Party All Day
Death To All But Metal