Al Atkins was a founder member and original vocalist of metal legends Judas Priest. Here he has teamed up with Budgie guitarist Simon Lees as well as Pete Emms (bass) and Mick Hales (drums) to put out what I believe is his fifth solo effort. 

As well as eight all-new tracks, there are also two new versions of Priest classics “Victims Of Changes” and “Dreamer Deceiver”, both of which Atkins co-wrote whilst with the band. 

The album kicks off quite strangely with “Demon Deceiver”, a mostly instrumental track (albeit featuring some extremely impressive guitar work from Lees) with a spoken word poem recital over the top. The album proper then kicks in with “Money Talks” and we get our first taste of Atkins’ growling, raspy vocals.

This is old-school British metal in the style of early Priest, Diamond Head and many others in the NWOBHM genre. It’s all very well played (Lees in particular shines throughout) but 25-30 years out of date for me. I’m not entirely convinced how much of a market there is nowadays for this type of metal, however I am sure it will appeal to all those of you who crave some straightforward, no frills metal. 

Diamond Head’s Brian Tatler appears on “Blood, Demons And Whiskey” and after a couple of fairly standard rockers in “Drown” and “Sentenced”, we get to the first of the revamped Priest tracks, “Victim Of Changes”. Atkins’ vocals go up several notches in terms of pitch to sound more like Rob Halford, whilst Lees puts in a blistering guitar performance. 

After three more pretty average rockers “Bleeding”, “God Help Me” and “Cradle To The Grave”, we arrive at the final Priest classic, “Dreamer Deceiver”, which is played with some reverence and again showcases Lees’ exemplary guitar skills. 

Overall, strictly for old-school NWOBHM connoisseurs and Judas Priest fans in particular. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this album if that particular genre is your thing, but for me, despite the excellent modern production job and some of the best guitar work I’ve heard in ages, it has a dated sound and style that just doesn’t appeal.

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Track Listing

Demon Deceiver
Money Talks
Blood Demons And Whiskey
Drown
Sentenced
Victim Of Changes
Bleeding
God Help Me
Cradle To The Grave
Dreamer Deceiver