The Jugulator is somewhat of a gruesome album. It is Tim Owens first album with Judas Priest, and he did a decent job on singing for this album.
Not many people like this album because Rob Halford is not the singer, but Tim Owens does just as good, if not better, of a job then Rob Halford. Either way, this album contains some really good, and some not so good songs. The entire album is 58:13 minutes long. This album is loved, acknowledged as an ok album, or hated because Rob Halford does not sing in it. You are best to take a test run with this heavy/death metal album (I would use the term death metal loosely; you would have to listen to the songs to see what I mean).
Anyways, here’s the rating for each song.
Jugulator - 4.5/5
As Tim Owens tries to create an epic intro, it just doesn’t really happen. Though, the song is very heavy. It seems to start out with what I think is the Jugulator emerging. The entire song is about what the “Jugulator” is and what it does. This is more of a storyline song then anything. The riffs are heavy and Scott Travis still has a decent drum beat. The ending is very cheesy, and sounds like Tim Owens is trying to get something out, but it doesn’t really come forth. Overall, I like the feel, though some would disagree, a lot…
Blood Stained - 3/5
The song is full of heavy riffs, but very badly developed vocals. If you listen to the song, you will think a 6 year old made it up, since it sounds like basic sentences (The dog is dead, you are happy…etc). Shouldn’t be too hard to play on the guitar or drums…
Dead Meat - 2.5/5
The first time I listened to this song I thought I was choking and losing air, because of the gruesome intro. I think it’s the Jugulator, but we do not really know for sure. It is heavy but lacks the lyrics, and this is the kind of song where I use the term “Death Metal” (Ex: Cut us… watch us bleed…).
Death Row - 4.5/5
I love this song (Hope I am not being biased). The riff at the beginning after the “intro” to this song is awesome, and the lyrics are actually developed. If you have to get one song of this album, get this one. Its heavy, has a good storyline, and everything falls together well. I find the intro humorous and annoying at the same time though…
Decapitate - 1.5/5
This song is very annoying. Use it to annoy someone next door or something. Yeah, I’d listen to this over rap any day… but it just sucks in general. A poor attempt at a song.
Burn In Hell - 3/5
Not a bad song, some interesting lyrics and rhythm, but I think this song is a cover for the Slayer song “South Of Heaven”. This is where Tim Owens reaches some Halford lyrics, though he struggles at times. It just doesn’t sound like Halford…
Brain Dead - 1/5
This song is annoying, but the solo saves it from a 0. This song is like another Decapitate. No lyrics worth recognizing, cacophonic music put together, the drums do not go with the guitar. Not a great song. This song usually meets with a skip ahead button.
Abductors - 2.5/5
Well Tim Owens reaches some Halford/King Diamond lyrics finally, though the lyrics still suck. Hey, At least its better then Brain Dead and Decapitate. This song is very dark, if you like black/death metal, you might like this song…
Bullet Train - 3/5
Well it does have an interesting intro of a train on train-tracks going fast, and then a heavy intro. Still, the lyrics suck, but the solos in this song are better then the others. I give it 3 out of 5, but it isn’t really that great. I'm being nice with the rating.
Cathedral Spires – 4.5/5
People do not like this song, but it is an epic, amazing, and quite long song. It rivals Metallica’s Load album (The Outlaw Torn). The song starts off slow for 2 minutes, and then slowly starts to build up to its climax. The song has some decent riffs and solos throughout it. It ends with a one minute explosion, which is annoying when I’m going from song to song, but overall, is one of the better songs on the album.
Overall, all the songs seem to start between the letters A-D (Excluding the Jugulator), and the songs are either good, or are REALLY bad. If you are going to buy this album, you will enjoy this wave of heavy metal, but your skip button will enjoy a nice workout on some songs.
Only get this album if you are a hardcore Judas Priest fan.
OVERALL RATING: 3.5/5.
