Judas Priest: Ripper Owens (vocals); Glen Tipton, K.K. Downing (guitar); Ian Hill (bass); Scott Travis (drums).

Personnel: Glenn Tipton, K.K. Downing (guitar); Scott Travis (drums).

Recording information: Riverside Studios; Silvermere Sound.

Arranger: Glenn Tipton.

After longtime vocalist Rob Halford left the band in 1992, Judas Priest recruited Tim Owens, who (ironically enough) sang in a Priest cover band. The band then released its most brutally heavy album to date. These events inspired the Mark Wahlberg film ROCK STAR, but the band distanced itself from the movie, concentrating on DEMOLITION and taking the material on the road. The album is a return to form as the band digs back to its traditional metal roots.

With most of the album written by guitarists Glenn Tipton and K.K. Downing, the group's identity is as solid as ever. The relentless fury that is drummer Scott Travis kicks off "Machine Man," the band's own "Highway Star." Distorted guitar, reminiscent of the band's TURBO era, highlights "One on One." The passing of Tipton's father and the emptiness he felt is reflected in the ballad "Close To You." Tunes like "Hell is Home" and "Lost And Found" offer familiar metal themes; alienation, individuality, and the difficulty in overcoming adversity. "Metal Messiah" preaches the metal gospel, assuring us that THIS band won't be bringing any DJ's on tour any time soon. DEMOLITION kicks, and will satisfy the hunger of all longtime Priest fans.

The second studio release with "Ripper" Owens, Demolition is an intriguing album. Listening to this one sometimes makes you wish that they had decided to go with a moniker other than Judas Priest. The reason is that, although this album is very strong, it really does not fit in with the historical sound of the band. It seems like a completely new group might have released it. Such a distinction almost seems to deserve a different band name. There are moments that do feel like older Priest, but the overall texture is harder and more modern. At times Owens comes across like Rob Halford (listen to the first verse of "Blood Suckers"), but he is really working to carve out his own identity. If you are a fan of classic Priest, maybe you should hear this one first, but if you are into more modern dark metal, by all means, pick it up. [Demolition was also released in a "clean" edition, containing no profanities or vulgarities.] ~ Gary Hill

Rolling Stone (8/30/01, pp.126-7) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...DEMOLTION has a clean and direct sound, all red meat and bare arms, sinister choruses, chugging pace and those hysterical lake-of-fire vocal harmonies emblematic of vintage metal....If there's such a thing as unpretentious titanic, blood-for-the-goat-style metal, JP are still making it."

Q (Summer/01, p.104) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...As raucous as ever...Tim 'Ripper' Owens does a passable Rob Halford facsimile....'Metal Messiah' lives up to its title..."