New Music Reviews - Home of DJ Willis

“The English heavy-metal act’s second album since its reunion with iconic frontman Rob Halford is also its first concept set: a two-disc retelling of the life of Nostradamus, the 16th-century French prognosticator. If that sounds like a thrilling way to spend an hour and 40 minutes, you’ll probably love the music here, which reflects the album’s narrative ambition with a bigger, more flowery sound than on Halford’s comeback disc, Priest’s “Angel of Retribution” from 2005. (Expect acoustic guitars, strings and keyboards along with K.K. Downing and Glenn Tipton’s usual battery of biker-bar riffs.) If, however, that description causes your eyelids to droop, “Nostradamus” isn’t likely to surprise you—this is softcore for the hardcore.—Mikael Wood”