Redeemer of Souls Vs. The Book of Souls

Which is the better album

  • Redeemer of Souls

    Votes: 3 8.6%

  • The Book of Souls

    Votes: 32 91.4%
  • Total voters
    35
Well I for one think Redeemer is one of the best albums of their careers. When they released the title track as a single I immediately thought of Painkiller. Now it's clear it's really not, and the albums nothing like Painkiller. But it's undoubtedly Priest.

But thinking of Painkiller, maybe they do need to release another album like it. RoS has built up some momentum for them. I think if they released another straight-up speed metal album like Painkiller, it could REALLY build on that momentum. Even though it's not my favourite, I know people LOVE it and would love another one.
 
NotePad said:
But thinking of Painkiller, maybe they do need to release another album like it.
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They can't. They don't have it in them. Painkiller was a true lightning in the bottle moment.

I think if they just cut down on the number of songs they were working with and really focused on strong tunes with decent production, they'd probably have better reception. Instead of 18 songs haphazardly put together, do 11 with more attention to detail and such. They can still write great classic metal songs and I still stand by Redeemer as a solid album, but there's definitely a bit of lost potential there.
 
I think Priest feels competition with Maiden but also inspiration. Just a theory. I have a theory Nostradamus was kind of a response to the more progressive sound Maiden developed. I like Nostradamus but its unfortunate it didn't get received so well.

Like I said, Redeemer was awesome and has created some great momentum for the band. Maybe with the release of one of Maiden's strongest albums yet they'll be even more inspired to do something epic. RoS had songs that are on another level of epicness then most of what they've done in the past, but I know they can go farther and I think they just might. I look at Redeemer of Souls as their BNW. Now what i want to see is their equivalent of AMoLAD or Book of Souls.

It's always been Priest Vs Maiden and I think they're really feeling the pressure.
 
I know that it's the classic argument between fans...Priest or Maiden but between the bands I've never really felt that there was much competition. Priest was already a well established and popular metal band (with 8 albums under their belt) when Maiden broke through with NOTB so in that regard Maiden was never really competition for Priest. It's not like they were both two up and coming bands fighting for the same spot on the metal scene or the same record deal.

And in the 80s both bands seemed to settle into their own quite well with their own distinguished style and image.
 
Also, Priest were far more popular in the US than Maiden during the 80s, while Maiden's crowd were more European. So in a way they never really "stole" from each other's markets either.
 
The newest Judas Priest album is alright, there's some really good songs on it, but I don't think it's truly great all the way through, no offense to them.

The newest Iron Maiden album on the other hand has pretty much become one of my favorites of theirs. Empire of the Clouds, Red and the Black, and Book of Souls are amazing 10 minute plus epics, and every other song has something cool to offer as well. I love that Maiden is still not afraid to take risks with their music, especially this late into their career when most older bands prefer to play it safe. Amazing album.
 
I thoroughly enjoy Redeemer and still find Book a painful experience.
I give it Book a spin occasionally. The first 3 tracks are mediocre but ok, TRATB is fun but that's all, and the rest is just dull, apart from MOS, whilst interesting Isn't going to set the world on fire.
Redeemer has its quieter moments but is really strong.

I'd been thinking about Maiden and Priest recently.
Priest always maintain a very professional and uniform sound and presentation.
Maiden have a ramshackle approach with sound and have a 'local lads done good' feel.
I feel more of a supporter than a fan. Professionally constructed no doubt.

I digress, Redeemer blows Book away.
 
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I wouldn't go as far as to say this:
eddie666 said:
Maiden have a ramshackle approach with sound and have a 'local lads done good' feel.
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although I'm impressed by the amount of polish Priest have live these days. I didn't expect much on last year's tour, but they were spot on, particularly Halford's vocals. Probably more polished than the Maiden performances I've seen.

As for consistency in recordings, I think that works against Priest, too. They sound like they've never really left the late 70s/early 80s behind, even if they make a good job of it. Maiden have changed a lot over the years and gone new places. That said, Redeemer of Souls has gone from 'ew, sub-par Priest' to one of the albums I listen to the most these days.
 
Yes, agreed that Priest can seem time locked. I loved KK's presence in the band, and I'm not keen on Richie's, but Redeemer is excellent.
 
Sometimes listening to newer Iron Maiden I wish I could see some of the other big, classic (IMHO) metal bands evolve into something more like Maiden have. Priest attempted to with Nostradamus but people just didn't respond well. I often wish to see guys like Queensryche, stratovarious, or Helloween evolve in depth like Maiden instead of the same old thing. Helloween does try new stuff I guess. Accept has also far exceeded expectations but for the most part nobody is making metal on the level Maiden is.
 
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