Concert review: Judas Priest w/ Sabaton | 05.05.24, Saint Louis Music Park (with photo gallery)

Photo of Judas Priest’s Rob Halford by Laura Jerele

Legendary is not a word to throw around lightly when talking about bands. But when you’re talking about one of the originators of heavy metal, Judas Priest, legendary is absolutely apropos. They are LEGENDS!

I’ve been listening to this band for decades and seeing their level of commitment to their genre and their fans is quite something to witness. Rob Halford is still at the top of his game with trademark and damn near ear-piercing vocal range (and studded black leather!) that has not given way despite his age. There is definitely a brothers-in-arms feel between him and long-standing bandmate, bassist Ian Hill, who still takes his very important place on the stage right next to his other half of the rhythm section, the legendary drummer, Scott Travis. 

The Invincible Shield tour was a great way to open up the concert season at St. Louis Music Park. The show was nearly sold out, narrowly missing by less than 100 tickets. I was thrilled with the setlist because it was a great mix of songs from their latest album, Invincible Shield, and some of their most favorite songs like “Sinner,” “Love Bites,” and “Breaking the Law.” Honestly, you can’t have a Judas Priest concert without that one! But they even threw in their amazing cover of the Fleetwood Mac classic “The Green Manalishi (With the Two Pronged Crown)”!

Swedish heavy metal act Sabaton opened the show with one of the loudest opening sets I’ve EVER heard! Very anthemic and the stage was pretty impressive with a TANK for a drumriser. Yeah…a tank! The crowd was on their feet from moment one, fists in the air and singing along to every word (ok, so maybe not for the one sung in Swedish!), which meant a hell of a lot of people were there for one hell of a heavy metal double bill of bands they love! | Laura Jerele