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Halford III – ‘Winter Songs’ CD review
by Jacqueline Moffette
Do you need a kickstart into the Christmas holiday this year? Are you a rocker who wants to “get into the spirit”? Do you have a little more attitude than the traditional merry soundtrack allows? Well, then, zip up your leather jacket ‘cause we’re going for an intense ride through Halford’s ‘Winter Songs’CD.
Oh, and in case you may not know who Rob Halford is, think warm cozy thoughts like ‘Hell Bent for Leather’ and ‘Green Manalichi’. Do those ring a bell? Need I mention he happens to also be the lead singer in the band Judas Priest? Yes, believe it or not, the Metal God himself has recorded a Christmas album with his solo band ‘Halford’. So before you question this controversial move, open your ears and enjoy this heavy metal take on some of the old traditional Christmas songs as well as some cool new originals.
Track 1 ‘Get Into the Spirit’ will immediately have you riding alongside Halford at 100 miles an hour with energetic drumbeats that aren’t going to stop just because the ride is faster than you expected. The electric guitars will give you the feeling that you’re soaring with complete freedom as Halford’s voice drives you forward commanding you to “get into the spirit”. At the scenic peak of the song, flowing piano music accompanies Rob’s now heavenly voice as he sings about “the miracle of life” and you can’t help, but feel that this exciting original is the perfect jumpstart to your holiday soundtrack. This song absolutely rocks!
Track 2 keeps the high energy ride going as the guitars are featured with some amazingly fast and very creative fingerwork while Halford sings “We Three Kings” with almost an evil voice that would be just right for the next rock opera. This is one of five new heavy metal twists on traditional Christmas songs that are all dramatic and exciting enough to get you in the mood to celebrate with a new enthusiastic perspective!
Track 4, Halford’s passionate rendition of Sarah Barreilles’ ‘Winter Song’ completely changes the pace and detours us from the high energy heavy metal to a very peaceful piano based melody that shows us the softer melancholy side of Halford as he asks “Is love alive?” As the song crescendos and the band kicks in you can’t help but feel moved knowing that even our favorite metal god has a heart and soul.
Now, I know what some of you Judas Priest fans (or foes) may be wondering…”Are there any subliminal satanic messages in this album?” Well… I don’t know about that since I don’t know how to play my CD backwards to find out (in fact, I highly doubt it), but if you listen closely, you may hear some subliminal santanic messages! In fact it’s almost blatant in another band original track 6, ‘Christmas For Everyone’, as Rob sings “When the sleigh bells ring saying Santa’s calling…”! I am not kidding! Check it out for yourself!! Don’t waste any time! Get your hands on the throttle of this album, rev it up loud and experience the joy that only a rockin’ album like Halford III Winter Songs can bring during the Christmas season!
Produced by Metal God Entertainment/ Rob Halford Music Ltd.
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