Heading off what was one of the biggest Metal tours in recent years and onward through a number of major festivals, the live music is indeed a true testament to this band's power and acclaim -- even the listening purist could not find much to complain about in spite of the high degree of post-production nuances thrown in for effect. But for anyone that didn't catch the resurging front man, still at the peak of performance amazingly after all these years and directional flux, "Live Insurrection" embodies all the power and precision of an elite band with a definite future.

Covering several eventual classics from his stellar "Resurrection" studio disc from last year, the set opens naturally with the album's opening duo, "Resurrection," a booming and highly flammable number that sets the crowd into an immediate roar before "Made In Hell," slows the pace slightly, though no less boldly.

Digging into the not so deep vault for two Fight classics "Into The Pit," and "Nailed To The Gun," from Halford's first successful post-Priest Hard-Core attempt, "War of Words." Not surprising however that nothing from the follow up Fight studio record "A Small Deadly Space" which had an equal amount of excellent work, though less direct than the latter which might explain its apparently perceived shortcomings related to the first. But anyway, Halford digs a little deeper for his first solo cut "Light Comes Out Of Black" which obviously none in the audience have forgotten though would've had enough of a right to do so -- not a bad song, but after all, not of the most memorable variety -- but once you hear it right away it comes back.

One of the records shining moments besides the wealth of old Priest classics they perform, is the incredible duet first featured on the "Resurrection" release with Bruce Dickinson and "The One You Love To Hate!" Brought about from an earlier sound check and tied together from an engaging London performance, how's this for a highlight, here or at any point in the future pairing two of Metal's greatest vocalists on one vindictively aggressive song for the masses.

It's understood by anyone in the know the type of raw talent involved in producing the Halford sound, but for anyone as yet unfamiliar, there's not even the hint of shortcoming -- within their own material, Rob's or Priest themselves -- expect no void where such classics as "Stained Class," "Running Wild," or even "Sad Wings of Destiny" are concerned, the translations are immaculate.

The tandem of the gifted Mike Chlasciak, a respected guitarist in his own right and Patrick Lachman lead the double ax attack as powerfully and precise as Tipton and Downing in their prime. And still there's another disc to go.

Highlights here include the expected "The Hellion-Electric Eye," where the crowd, assumed to be in the hundreds of thousands here lend their own voice to the intro, "Riding On The Wind," and believe it or not, "Genocide..." basically all early Priest tracks after beginning with "Cyberworld" from the last disc.

The three additional studio songs feature one brand new, "Screaming In The Dark," which features a riveting percussive effect and typically blazing guitar work while Halford screams, naturally, his guts out -- probably not the monumental finale we'd have hoped for but definitely in line with the rest of their studio work last year. Also, re-worked versions of earlier songs that never arrived before, "Heart Of A Lion," which many of you may remember as originally written by Priest but originally recorded by Racer-X for their "Second Heat" release and finally performed by the man himself -- what took so long -- and a slower, gentler closing in "Prisoner Of Your Eyes" which, if I didn't know better, I'd have sworn first appeared on that very same Racer-X album! This one's not bad, different guitar sound, very much in the classic Priest tradition, simple chord progressions and dark, dreary "Beyond the Realms." type verse.

What else can be said -- Priest fans aren't missing anything with the new Halford material and basically "Live Insurrection" is the right record at the right moment for this inspired return for the Metal God!