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JUDAS PRIEST, SABATON In Idaho Falls, ID With Photos!

By Breezy Bird, Idaho Contributor
Monday, October 7, 2024 @ 12:40 AM


The Invincible Shield Tour Levels Mountain America Center On October 5th

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All Photos By Breezy Bird Photography

It's been said, "If you build it, they will come". After what seemed like an endless wait for a venue of our own, the Mountain America Center in Idaho Falls knocked another one out of the park. This past Saturday night, October 5, 2024, the up-and-coming venue hosted heavy metal icons, JUDAS PRIEST, with special guests SABATON, supporting the latest leg of the Invincible Shield North America Tour. Fans were definitely rewarded for their patience with a show that will undoubtedly live on in their souls for years to come.

As soon as I entered the venue, the first thing that caught my eye was the massive crowd of fans eagerly waiting in line to grab some of the coolest concert tees I'd seen in quite some time. At exactly 7 p.m., Swedish power metal giants SABATON hit the stage, performing to an almost fully packed house-except for those still stuck at the merch table.

Formed in 1999, SABATON's music is like a battle cry, delivering hard-hitting, war-themed power metal anthems that turn their live performances into something akin to a rally before a great battle. Hannes Van Dahl hammered away at his drums from atop a massive green tank, aptly named Audie, while guitarists Thobbe Englund, Chris Rorland, and bassist Par Sundstrom roamed the stage, engaging with fans between moments of perfectly timed hair flips. Frontman Joakim Broden, donning his signature mirrored aviator sunglasses and infectious smile, commanded the crowd with unwavering energy. For an opening act, their sound quality was exceptional-each note crisp, every chord perfectly in tune. Despite not being familiar with their music before this show, I found myself completely captivated by their performance. SABATON's energy and stage presence pulled the audience in from the start, undoubtedly gaining a legion of new fans by the end of the night. Make sure to arrive early to catch SABATON in action!

Setlist:

  • "The March to War"
  • "Ghost Division"
  • "The Last Stand"
  • "Swedish Pagans"
  • "The Red Baron"
  • "Bismarck"
  • "Stormtroopers"
  • "Carolus Rex"
  • "Resist and Bite"
  • "The Attack of the Dead Men"
  • "Primo Victoria"
  • "Soldier of Heaven"
  • "To Hell and Back"
  • "Dead Soldier's Waltz"
As the stage was transformed for the headlining act, JUDAS PRIEST, I found myself feeling a bit nervous about photographing the founding fathers of heavy metal. Since their formation in England in 1969, they've not only sold over 50 million albums but also paved the way for every rock band that followed. In a way, they made me who I am today as well! Before me would stand true Metal Gods, and I was about to capture them on camera-cue the "I'm not worthy" from Wayne's World.

At 73 years old, I didn't know what to expect from the legendary Rob Halford. Would his star still burn bright or would he be a flicker of his former self? I've seen too many artists who wait too long to retire, delivering performances that are a shadow of their former selves, almost heartbreaking to witness. Indeed, it's true: "it's better to burn out than to fade away". But as soon as the music hit me like a freight train, I knew I had nothing to worry about. Rob Halford still had every ounce of his ability to melt every face in the crowd. All of my concerns instantly vanished.

For the opening song, the band assembled together on a small riser in the center of the stage. Scott Travis was the center of attention, surrounded by his massive drum kit, while guitarists Richie Faulkner and Andy Sneap, along with bassist Ian Hill, stood on either side of him. Behind them, brightly colored video panels lit up the stage, with ornate JUDAS PRIEST-themed tapestries hanging from the ceiling, adding to the spectacle. But despite all the visual elements vying for attention, every eye in the venue was locked on frontman Rob Halford.

Clad entirely in black, Halford's pale skin and white beard formed a striking contrast that momentarily highlighted his age. Yet, as he began to belt out the opening lines of "Panic Attack" with perfect precision, any doubts I had were immediately erased. His voice, powerful and unwavering, was a reminder that I was in the presence of metal royalty. It became clear that heavy metal was like a life-sustaining force for Halford, almost a fountain of youth. What unfolded before me was the result of 50 years of musical mastery-an awe-inspiring display that cemented their legacy as the pioneers who forever altered the landscape of rock culture for generations to come.

Ian Hill spent much of the show anchored on stage left, often blending into the shadows, yet his bass lines formed the foundation for everything else happening on stage. His steady rhythm was the footing for the intricate guitar work of Andy Sneap and Richie Faulkner, whose electrifying solos and riffs brought an added intensity to the performance. Faulkner, in particular, was a live wire, delivering not just killer guitar work but also an energetic stage presence that was impossible to ignore.

The setlist covered the vast landscape of JUDAS PRIEST's extensive discography, giving the audience a perfect blend of both their foundational classics and more recent songs. Each track was a nod to the band's monumental influence on heavy metal, a genre they've helped shape for decades. Through it all, Rob Halford's voice was nothing short of flawless, hitting every note with precision and undeniable power. As the show progressed, one thing became abundantly clear: greatness doesn't fade-it matures. Much like a fine wine, JUDAS PRIEST only seems to improve with age, and this performance was living proof of that enduring legacy.

Fan favorites like "Breaking the Law" and "Turbo Lover" brought the crowd to their feet, igniting the entire venue. The intro to "The Green Manalishi" invited full audience participation, with fans shouting out-of-tune notes at the top of their lungs-an offbeat but heartfelt choir of metalheads. The setlist had something for everyone, whether you were a diehard JUDAS PRIEST devotee or a more casual listener. Unfortunately, my personal favorite, "Some Heads Are Gonna Roll" didn't make the cut this time around. Looks like I'll have to catch another show to hear it live.

The last song before the encore was "Painkiller", and what a performance it was. Scott Travis kicked things off with a furious assault on his drums, perfectly synced with strobing white lights. As the guitars screamed in, the energy reached a fever pitch. When Halford's vocals finally hit, it felt like the entire arena was ready to burst. Every note, every scream was pure, electrifying perfection. They could have easily ended the show there and I would have gone home feeling like I had seen an incredible show. But there was still more to come with an encore that was nothing short of legendary.

The 3-song encore kicked off with "The Hellion"/"Electric Eye". Then, out of the shadows from the back of the stage, Rob Halford arrived on a Harley Davidson, a whip clenched between his teeth, as the band launched into the classic "Hell Bent for Leather". Dressed in a black jacket draped with chains and his iconic black leather officer cap, Halford embodied the rebellious spirit of heavy metal that has allowed them to stand the test of time. It was the perfect culmination of what can only be described as a quintessential metal show delivered by the Metal Gods themselves. In a word, the entire night was epic.

Setlist:

  • "Invincible Shield Tour Anthem"
  • "Panic Attack"
  • "You've Got Another Thing Comin'"
  • "Rapid Fire"
  • "Breaking the Law"
  • "Riding on the Wind"
  • "Love Bites"
  • "Devil's Child"
  • "Saints in Hell"
  • "Crown of Horns"
  • "Sinner"
  • "Turbo Lover"
  • "Invincible Shield"
  • "Victim of Changes"
  • "The Green Manalishi (With the Two Prong Crown) "
  • "Painkiller"
Encore:
  • "The Hellion"/"Electric Eye"
  • "Hell Bent for Leather"
  • "Living After Midnight"
Check out some more incredible photos from the show!
All Photos By Breezy Bird Photography


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