Deep Purple (w/ Judas Priest) @ Hollywood Casino Ampitheatre (Tinley Park, IL) on August 22, 2018 [Photos & Show Review]

Last week, two classic metal bands hit the road for a combined tour de force of hard rocking concerts to the delight of their long-time fans. You may think a doubleheader of Judas Priest and Deep Purple doesn’t make sense but, if you do your homework into the history of these bands, it most certainly does.

These two bands are the cornerstones of our metal culture. Priest started in 1969, being hailed as one of the greatest metal bands of all times. Deep Purple began in 1968 and was once called “the globe’s loudest band” by The Guinness Book of World Records (1975). While Deep Purple began as a progressive rock group, they grew into a heavier rock style towards the 1970s. When this tour was announced my metal heart sang! Who wouldn’t want to see these titans come together for an unforgettable night of their classics? You want to know where our metal roots lie? Then get your ticket to one of the upcoming tour dates.

Plus both acts are supporting new albums! Priest recently put out what many consider one of their best albums to date; Firepower. As a fan, it is one of my favorites. Please check out Deep Purple’s new release Infinite. The longevity of both bands is amazing. Fifty years is no small feat to keep making killer music. Being the second stop of the tour one would expect the bands to not be on par yet, but these seasoned musicians show up ready to punch you in the gut!

If you’ve yet to check out the latest video from Priest for “No Surrender” then we suggest you get on that.

The opener, The Temperance Movement was an unexpected plus! I was unfamiliar with them but definitely would see again. These guys were the surprise of the night and I highly suggest catching them.

Judas Priest is one of my favorite metal bands of all times. I am of course a huge fan of “Turbo Lover.” As expected Priest came out with fire and heat shredding, our ears with their classic riffs and lead singer Rob Halford’s howling vocals. His voice has not lost any of its range over the years. We were treated to an old-school, high-octane metal performance never slowing down to the last song. And what metalhead doesn’t envy Halford’s wardrobe? Once again his outfits sport more studs than a Chippendale show.

Deep Purple is one of those bands where everyone has heard the songs but hasn’t seen them perform. Now is the time to do so. The energy created by Priest shifted slightly when Purple came out but from the first chord, the audience knew we were in the presence of classic metal. Don Avery is an amazing keyboardist. I know all you Blackmore devotees are crying “it’s not the same” but give this incarnation a chance (I think its been long enough). Lead singer Ian Gillian pours his heart into all the songs we love. “Space Truckin” was spectacular hearing performed live. The depth of the band’s talent knows no match. If you skipped out after Priest, I am waggling my metal mama finger at you for missing one of the foundations of our genre!

Have a look at this awesome live version of “Highway Star” from Come Hell or High Water.

There is nothing like an open air metal show. The sound of the drums and guitar filling the air and pulling your guts up through your throat is unlike any other type of concert; like a clarion call to the old Gods to rescue us from this mundane human existence. These two monsters of metal dominated the night and made me remember why I love classic metal. In the end Priest lit my night on fire while Deep Purple made me put down my phone!

Judas Priest’s Setlist:

01. Firepower
02. Grinder
03. Sinner
04. Lightning Strike
05. Bloodstone
06. Turbo Lover
07. Rising From Ruins
08. Freewheel Burning
09. You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’
10. Hell Bent for Leather
11. Painkiller
12. Metal Gods
13. Breaking the Law
14. Living After Midnight

Deep Purple’s Setlist:

01. Highway Star
02. Pictures of Home
03. Bloodsucker
04. Strange Kind of Woman
05. Sometimes I Feel Like Screaming
06. Uncommon Man
07. Lazy
08. Knocking at Your Back Door
09. Keyboard Solo (Don Airey)
10. Perfect Strangers
11. Space Truckin’
12. Smoke on the Water
13. Hush

Tour Dates:

09/01 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
09/02 – Bethel Woods, NY – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
09/05 – Darien Center, NY – Darien Lake Amphitheater
09/06 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
09/08 – Virginia Beach, VA – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach
09/09 – Camden, NJ – BB&T Pavilion
09/11 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
09/12 – Jacksonville, FL – Daily’s Place
09/14 – Atlanta, GA – Verizon Amphitheatre
09/16 – Biloxi, MS – Mississippi Coast Coliseum
09/18 – Kansas City, MO — Starlight Theatre
09/20 – Welch, MN – Treasure Island Casino
09/21 – Council Bluffs, IA – Harrah’s Council Bluffs
09/23 – Denver, CO – Pepsi Center
09/26 – San Diego, CA – Mattress Firm Amphitheatre
09/27 – Irvine, CA – FivePoint Amphitheatre
09/29 – Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre
09/30 – Wheatland, CA – Toyota Amphitheatre

Review by: Simone – The Metal Mistress