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"Breaking The Bank", "Free Roulette Wheel Burning", "Some Dice Are Gonna Roll", "Shot Machine Man", "Cheater": the list of plagiarized Judas Priest song titles, with gambling connotations, is almost as endless as the veteran Brits' career. Friday night in Harrah's casino, once again, the metalhead faithful gather to bear witness to Misters Halford, Tipton and Hill, the in-concert triarchy of all things studded and leather. Sure, there's some (relatively) new blood coursing through the aged, metallic beast, but with a repertoire matched by only a precious few, the communal live experience is both life affirming, yet transports all (both sides of the barricade) back in time, to an simpler age. At this point, the Priest can trot out a 30th Anniversary, for a particular album, every tour. Case in point, revisiting Defenders Of The Faith, a far superior METAL album than the MTV approved pair that bookended its '84 release. No less than a trio of deeper cuts (no "Freewheel Burning" nor "Sentinel" in the bunch) were aired, just one less than off the new Redeemer Of Souls CD!

A small venue by Priest standards (less than 2000!), it sold out without problem, many walk-up fans turned away disappointed, consoled only slightly by the uniqueness of hearing Slayer pumped through the casino floor's sound system. Without a barricade, the front row literally touches the stage. As I shot photos, never has such close proximity to band before, this outfit that regularly plays to tens of thousands at European festivals. Throughout the night, Rob Halford shook/slapped hands and fist bumped those down front.

Following the now requisite "War Pigs" call to arms, the show began with the drop of a Judas Priest emblazoned curtain. Opener "Dragonaut" was greeted like an old friend, despite its newness, rocking right into "Metal Gods" an old staple. While sporting sunglasses for the first two tunes, Halford was much more mobile (pacing side-to-side and eventually moving to the front of the stage), no longer "stuck" hunched over the monitors/reading a telepropter, as had been the accusations the last couple of tours. Resplendent in silver embellished black dress shirt, opened to show the slew of medallions hanging from his neck (not too dissimilar from the beachgoer/ casino gambler attire found outside the venue) and black floor length top coat, the bald/bearded frontman made numerous costume changes throughout. Eat your heart out,m Cher! Mainstay guitarist Glen Tipton was a little under dressed, in designer Priest t-shirt. while six-string partner Richie Faulkner looks like the blonde bastard child of departed mainstay KK Downing and former Ozzy stringbender Randy Rhoads. Animated and expressive, his wet, stringy mane unable to hide the perpetual grin chiseled on his face. He's clearly having fun and most of the action takes place on his side of the stage, especially the interactions with Halford, while the workman-like Tipton and longtime bassist Ian Hill are content to stay out of their way, on the side opposite.

"Devil's Child" is started by the two guitarists and an explosion of flames on the video wall that adds visual enhancements. Pirouetting across the stage, it's the night's first time Halford has crossed the imaginary boundary beyond the monitors, greeting his public firsthand, even singing directly into a bootlegging fan's recording telephone. During "Victim Of Changes" (vocal screams spot on, by the way), under white lights, Faulkner goes whammy bar crazy during his solo, the whole time holding his Flying V vertically and having many in the audience ask, "KK who?". Halford's closing scream is punctuated by a backdrop of video flames and then the superimposed artwork for Sad Wings Of Destiny, the album from which it originally came. The almost Asterix/comic book depiction of the Vikings' final resting place, fiery torches and shields aligned in a row, pops onscreen, heralding the arrival of another newbie, "Halls Of Valhalla", as images of longboats and helmets join the visual parade. It's amazing that in 2014 Faulkner opts for a guitar chord, rather than a wireless unit, like the rest of the band. This song includes a purposefully gruff vocal, from Halford, on the titular phrase.

Alone onstage, the frontman (his black duster having returned, temporarily) introduced "Love Bites", saying, "As Halloween is approaching, here's something for all you vampires out there." Behind the musicians, footage from the classic silent-era film Nosterafu is shown, complete with updated cue-cards, making it something of a modern lyric video. As the black & white image changes to blood red, the guitar duo takes center stage. Afterwards, Halford leaves the stage, as Tipton and Faulkner are bathed in yellow lights to begin "March Of The Damned", zombie images overhead. Drummer Scott Travis flips his sticks while playing, as the trio of Hill and the guitarists display the patented Judas Priest synchronized stage movements, swaying back & forth & lifting guitars in unison.

Upon completion the stage is emptied and goes black, only to be illuminated by video of gears meshing and pistons pumping. You guessed it, "Turbo Lover', the once vilified 80s (sellout) track given new life as a bona fide sing-along audience favorite. For this number, Rob dons a silver duster, prodding the crowd to lift their voices and giving them a thumbs up for their effort. At one point, Faulkner is playing from his knees, the entire son he carries on a pantomime "conversation" with members of the crowd. Purple lights and clouds onscreen overhead welcome "Redeemer Of Souls", as the album artwork pulsates in a fiery red hue.

Back to the classics, winding their way towards the end of the night. Disco ball action sends white flecks of light spinning across the room, to kick off "Beyond The Realms Of Death". More in-sync stage motion as Faulkner retreats to the drum riser, as Tipton takes the lead. Rob wears a black coverall that glistens in the light, appearing multi-colored: Halford and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, if you will. Defenders Of The Faith artwork and a video snippet of a snake, fangs glaring, are our hint that "Jawbreaker" is next, the lyrics about a unfurling viper come to life. Halford stashed his snazzy kaleidoscope, in favor of a simple black motorcycle jacket, He briefly recollects about recording British Steel, the razor blade between the fingers photo now onscreen, prior to "Breaking The Law", which sees a rare solo center stage foray by Mr. Tipton. Later, he's joined by Halford and Faulkner, as the trio sways in time.               

They're all quickly offstage, the rev of a motorcycle engine announcing the closing the proper set. In a hail of strobes and the hallmark rumble of Harley Davidson engine, "Hellbent For Leather" sees a Union Jack inspired Judas Priest MC logo appear behind the band, as a video of two wheeling down the highway is shown onscreen, intercut with various biker (gang?) patches. Riding cap atop his head and crop in his teeth as he rides onstage, Halford spend nearly the entire track straddling the bike. A shimmery silver shirt, open to the waist, reveals his heavily tattooed torso. Chants of "Priest" greet the band, as they temporarily leave the stage.

They return for an exaggerated "You've Got Another Thing Comin", first prodding the crowd for some call and response, but ultimately stretching the tune to about twice its studio length, The three song/two-part encore lasts almost a half hour by itself. The singer is clearly enjoying himself as he plays off the new guitarist, who enjoys a brief solo spot, even playing a bit with his mouth. "Living After Midnight" has Drummer Scott Travis setting the beat,as the audience claps along. Ending with partially a cappella  "Defenders Of The Faith', the screen behind is a red steel/ flickering flame motif. With denim vest over black button down (good to see he ditched the aforementioned shimmering JIffy Pop outfit, seeming left over from his Two days), Rob Halford moseys from side to side, microphone directed towards the crowd, who sing the repetitive, titular phrase. The love-fest has come to a close, but at least on this night, everyone left Atlantic City a winner!