Angel of Retribution
Judas Priest · 2005
52 min · 10 tracks · heavy metal
Heavy riffs and soaring vocals blend with a renewed energy, recalling the band's classic sound while forging ahead into the future.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Judas Rising Start here — Opening the album with powerful guitar riffs and anthemic lyrics, this track sets a triumphant tone for the record, symbolizing the band's resurgence.
-
→
Deal With the Devil — This track features catchy hooks and showcases Halford's vocal prowess, encapsulating the thematic struggle between good and evil that permeates the album.
-
→
Hellrider — With its relentless pace and aggressive instrumentation, this song exemplifies classic Judas Priest heaviness while reflecting on themes of perseverance and defiance.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong songwriting and performance but lacks some cohesion in pacing and flow.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a high-energy track, 'Judas Rising', that sets a fast tempo and features intricate guitar work.
- Each song typically follows a verse-chorus structure, with Halford's vocals soaring over heavy riffs and driving rhythms.
- Several tracks incorporate extended instrumental sections, particularly 'Lochness', which features a slow build-up before an explosive climax.
- The final track, 'Lochness', is notably longer than the others, clocking in at over 13 minutes, creating a distinct shift in pacing.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic progression with climactic peaks
- wave-like pacing for engagement
- epic narratives that inspire triumph
- powerful anthems for energetic moments
- reflective interludes amid intensity
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- dislike lengthy, sprawling compositions
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Marked a significant return of Rob Halford, establishing renewed recognition for the band.
- Themes
- mythical vengeance· defiance against oppression· metallic resurrection
- Career context
- Released in 2005, Angel of Retribution marked Judas Priest's first studio album since reuniting with lead singer Rob Halford after a decade-long split. This return to form followed their previous album, Demolition, which was met with mixed reactions and showcased a different lineup. The album served as a pivotal moment in the band's career, reaffirming their status in the heavy metal genre.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Iron Maiden· Black Sabbath· Accept
Tracklist
- 1 Judas Rising Start here 4:13
- 2 Deal With the Devil 3:54
- 3 Revolution 4:42
- 4 Worth Fighting For 4:18
- 5 Demonizer 4:37
- 6 Wheels of Fire 3:46
- 7 Angel 4:24
- 8 Hellrider 6:23
- 9 Eulogy 2:52
- 10 Lochness 13:29
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.