Judas Priest never actually went away. They simply floundered after lead vocalist Rob Halford quit to spend the next decade jumping from one failed experimental musical project to the next. The problem, with all due respect to guitarists K.K. Downing & Glenn Tipton, is that Halford IS Judas Priest, the long-reigning poster-boy for metal's image & attitude, embodying everything good, bad & cliched about the genre (of course, since he invented many of those cliches, we must afford him a considerable amount of respect). Then again, it can be argued Halford's surprising departure would ultimately save this band from 80's obscurity. If he had remained in the band, t's likely Priest would have died the same slow agonizing death as countless other metal bands in the wake of Nirvana. Though the remaining members did their best to carry on (becoming somewhat of a joke by hiring a singer from a Priest tribute band), I think most die-hard metal fans knew they were Judas Priest in-name-only, but held onto the hope that Halford would get whatever bug was up his ass out of his system and return the band to its former glory. As they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder, and when Halford did indeed return to the band after 12 years (and releasing a new album, "Angel of Retribution"), it was one of the most welcome comebacks in recent years. Priest's brand of classic brand of heavy metal wasn't suddenly in vogue again, but it was wonderful to see these guys act as though the 90s never happened, and go back to doing what they do better than just about everybody. That, more than anything, guaranteed a successful album & tour, the latter of which is wonderfully captured in this terrific two-hour concert performance at the Budokan in Tokyo.

Priest may not have invented heavy metal, but they are the perfect embodiment of the genre, and it's all lovingly on display during this 23 song set, in which the band churns out many of its bonafide classics, interspersed with several new songs from their most recent album, "Angel of Retribution." Casual fans won't be able to differentiate the new songs from the old, but then again, that's exactly the point. Priest was never about experimentation or musical growth; they are about giving their fans exactly what they expect. Hence, this disc is not likely to generate any new fans, but metal maniacs everywhere can find comfort in the fact that some things never change. Yeah, they are noticeably older, and may not prowl the stage with the same glowering menace they did in the 80s, but their musical chops are as sharp as ever. In between songs, Halford uses the same well-rehearsed banter he used 20 years ago to get the audience going, but we're never less-than-convinced of his sincerity. Guitarists Downing & Tipton are still outstanding musical & visual foils, and remain as enthusiastic as ever, even when performing "Living After Midnight" for the umpteenth time. The band's obsessive (and obviously well-planned & choreographed) on-stage professionalism may not leave much room for spontaneity, but it's a testament to them that we're convinced the most important audience in the world is the one before them right now. Aside from a truly moving cover of Joan Baez' "Diamonds and Rust" (much different than their once-goofy rendition on record), there are no musical surprises. Priest pump out all their classic tunes like they will save the world. Halford may be in his fifties, and unable to hit all the high notes he once could (especially glaring during "Painkiller"), but he's still in fine voice, and is as visually dramatic with his delivery as he was back in the day...maybe more so, since even in his advanced age (by metal standards anyway), he seems as dedicated to his craft as ever.

Though this disc isn't likely to gain Judas Priest a new audience, it's marvelously entertaining, featuring a band that is surprisingly at the near-peak of its powers...30 years after its formation. There are no extras, and long-time fans probably already have practically the same play-list on another DVD, but if heavy metal is about consistency, then Priest may very well be the pinnacle example of the genre. Highly recommended.