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| | Judas Priest : Painkiller - Listen, Review and Buy at ARTISTdirect |
 | | But it isn't just the rediscovered power that makes Painkiller the band's strongest musical effort in ages: the elegant "A Touch of Evil," for example, is reminiscent of the progressive, intricately arranged pieces of their '70s work. |
 | | Painkiller is a qualified success -- the album's Achilles' heel is its lyrics, which rarely depart from standard-issue odes to heavy metal rebellion and comic book/fantasy themes that sometimes cross the line into cringe-inducing silliness; it almost seems like a deliberate avoidance of any substantive content. |
 | | Still, if you can ignore the lyrics, the terrific, raging performances make Painkiller Judas Priest's first truly satisfying album since 1982's Screaming for Vengeance; unfortunately, it would also be their last with Halford, taking some of the triumph away from their comeback. |
| www.artistdirect.com /store/artist/album/0,,112446,00.html (315 words) |
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