The first time I saw the Priest was in 1978 in a small 3000 seat auditorium in Vancouver. I only owned Stained Class at the time, but after that show, I knew that this was a band that I would follow for as long as they let me. I only say this to give you some background to my relationship with Judas Priest. From Hell Bent For Leather on, I have owned each album on or around the day it was released. Some albums, SFV, DOTF, P have moved me more than others RID, POE, but I have always enjoyed the work and appreciated the band's desire to diversify and to stretch their artistic abilities.
All of that is a peramble to my belief that Nostradamus is Judas Priest's finest hour (and a bit). It embodies a little bit of every thing Judas Priest has ever recorded and it gave them license to try something that has never been attempted in the history of rock - heavy metal or otherwise. I love that every song captures an element of their past. The interludes are clever and, at times, brilliant in their ability to tie all of the music together. For some it may seem overly long, but I believe it flows beautifully and, at time, captures a mood and spirit that is rarely felt from a Judas Priest album. At the end of it all, I feel that I have learned something about Nostradamus the man and this must have been part of the band's goal, but more importantly the album feels like I am listening to the band at the top of their artistic game.
If the band ever stop by to read these notes, I would just say to them congratulations it is an amazing effort. My only regret is that the album wasn't taken on the road and toured as a concept album like this should be. I can only assume the time for that gargantuan tour has past, but wonder if the band has ever considered playing it live once with orchestras, choirs, backing instrumentalists and recording it for posterity. I think many fans would have loved to have seen this show live. If the Priest never record another album, I will feel like Nostradamus is a great crowning achievement to a legendary, hall of fame worthy, career.
