Judas Priest w/ Sabaton at Cable Dahmer Arena, Independence, MO (01 October 2024)

It may have been on the same night as candidates from the Republican party and the Democratic party engaged in the Vice-Presidential Debate, but in an arena outside of Kansas City, there was only one kind of party… \m/ Metal! \m/

Two giants of the genre, the legendary Judas Priest and Swedish metallers Sabaton have joined forces to continue on this Invincible Shield Tour, stopping east of Kansas City on one of its 23 dates for a roof-quaking evening at the Cable Dahmer Arena in Independence.

Birmingham, UK band Judas Priest have been metal pioneers since their beginnings in 1969 and for over the next five decades, releasing crucial albums like ‘Sad Wings of Destiny’, ‘Hell Bent for Leather’, ‘British Steel’, ‘Screaming for Vengeance’, and more., selling over 50 million combined.

Lead singer Rob Halford’s (aka the Metal God) soaring vibrato reached heights most couldn’t come close to, and his biker image with leather-and-studs have become synonymous with metal culture. They’ve endured over the decades despite a few personnel changes, having to testify as to the meaning of their songs before a judge, health issues, a lifestyle revealed, and other issues which would vanquish many other acts.

Halford, Glenn Tipton, Richie Faulkner, Ian Hill and Scott Travis seemed reborn as 2018’s ‘Firepower’ became one of their most successful albums, and their 19th studio album ‘Invincible Shield’ proves they still have plenty more metal muscle, to flex.

Although it was harder to hear the vocal from the front pit monitor speakers, Halford’s voice soared as we made our way back near the soundboard. From classic hits, “You've Got Another Thing Comin'” and “Breaking the Law” to songs off the new record like the opening “Panic Attack”, “Crown of Horns” and the title track, Halford proved time and again, that still could still hit the high octaves, despite often ducking backstage during elongated instrumental parts.

While we slightly miss the synchronized theatrics of previous guitarists K.K. Downing and Glenn Tipton; musically, the newer tandem of Faulkner and ex-Sabbat / Hell guitarist Andy Sneap more than make statement with their expert playing, while never really showboating or trying to overreach their roles.

Halford stopped and sat for a minute, reflecting on the more than five decades of landmark albums and songs the group has created and thanked the fans for their longtime loyalty, and a bit later, emulated one of his heroes, Freddie Mercury, with an interactive call and response vocal workout that the audience had fun in keeping up with Halford’s tones.

Of course, the encore was highlighted by Halford emerging on a motorcycle during “Hell Bent for Leather” and a closing remark from him and shown on the screens behind the band, were a promise that The Priest Will Be Back, showing after more than five decades, they have no intentions of slowing down or retiring that motorcycle, anytime soon.

Celebrating twenty-five years themselves, openers and Swedish power metal rockers Sabaton have a lot to celebrate, notably their full-length concert film, “The Tour to End All Tours”, which hits US theaters for selected showings on October 30 and 31.

The band, led by vocalist Joakim Brodén boasts ten studio albums under their belt (including two platinum-sellers), the most recent being 2022’s “The War to End All Wars” and even have their own annual festival and cruise.

The band was all in a visibly happy mood, smiling most of the time playing their anthemic rock that details historical battles, with Broden even donning a Swedish flag from a fan, as a cape and calling himself “Captain Sweden”.

Broden sang in Swedish on “Carolus Rex” (about a Swedish battle, of course) and proving they don’t take themselves so seriously, strapped on a pink Hello Kitty guitar on “Resist and Bite” before getting more serious again as “The Attack of the Dead Men” was performed with Broden in WWI-like jumpsuit, gas mask and goggles, with a tank strapped on his back as he precariously moved about the smoky stage.

Politics may have been the subject of the day to most of America, but it was refreshing, releasing and just plain joyful, to gather as one at the rock altar of legends Judas Priest and the power metal sounds of Sabaton.