Halford hunched over and Rising in the East

[SoundMaster]

After having just finished viewing Priest's "Rising In the East", it's become clear that Judas Priest - particularly Rob Halford - is the living, breathing definition of all that is metal. He captivates as no other.

With that said, during the video, he's often hunched over, with his face directed towards the ground as he sings. And he appears totally strained as if it's a major burden to sing the songs anymore.

Has he always sung in this hunched over manner? I dont ever recall seeing any footage of him straining as such? Is this simply what comes with age? Or, is this nothing more than showmanship....a dynamic look while on stage?

 

[Hawk]

After having just finished viewing Priest's "Rising In the East", it's become clear that Judas Priest - particularly Rob Halford - is the living, breathing definition of all that is metal. He captivates as no other.

With that said, during the video, he's often hunched over, with his face directed towards the ground as he sings. And he appears totally strained as if it's a major burden to sing the songs anymore.

Has he always sung in this hunched over manner? I dont ever recall seeing any footage of him straining as such? Is this simply what comes with age? Or, is this nothing more than showmanship....a dynamic look while on stage?

Saw the DVD when visiting a friend and you are right. Actually I was quite disappointed by their performance. In the past Halford never sung hunched over. I have the feeling that he simply can't cut it anymore. Or just barely. Althought he manages some high screams during the gig, it sounds very strained.

I say this a complete Priest and Halford nut. Since 1976 I have been a rabid fan of Rob Halfords voice and always put him on number 1 in any singer poll. But lately I get the feeling he's an old man trying his best to relive day's gone past.

I believe that they may have still a few good albums in them but that they should quit touring. The performance of "Painkiller" on the DVD is embarrassing for a Judas Priest disciple like me.

 

[kittybeast]

I don't know when the DVD was made...so this may not be it...but the last few times I saw Halford (the band) He was hunched over reading his monitor for the lyrics. You are correct though he is the epitomy of all that is metal! I've missed the last couple Priest tours through CA but those Halford tours even though he couldn't remember the lyrics....he belted each song out like an air raid siren!

 

[Wyvern]

He was hunched over reading his monitor for the lyrics.

Senility already? He has sung those songs for longer time that I've been shaving, I can't believe he needs a monitor But maybe age it's already taking it's toll he's not 30 anymore and life's on the road (even without booze and/drugs) can be tough.

NP: Lacuna Coil - 'Distant Sun'

 

[Fangface]

Rob is about 55 years old, we can't expect him to sing like he did in 1978. Unfortunately

The problem is that his voice gets shot quickly nowadays, I'm sure he can still sing like a Metal God but definitely not on a daily basis.
That's the reason why I do agree with Hawk on this, I'd rather see Priest recording more new songs while they can still do it than touring extensively which is getting worse and worse for his voice. Because when he's 100% in the studio he still has a diamond of a voice, with or without high notes.

 

[Hawk]

I don't know when the DVD was made...so this may not be it...but the last few times I saw Halford (the band) He was hunched over reading his monitor for the lyrics. You are correct though he is the epitomy of all that is metal! I've missed the last couple Priest tours through CA but those Halford tours even though he couldn't remember the lyrics....he belted each song out like an air raid siren!

Thats true, with Halford he did it for the lyrics. But not on the new Priest DVD. He know those lyrics by heart and is walking bend over around on the stage. I guess this way he can control his voice better. But thats just a guess.

 

[Wyvern]

We all love more records. But remember that money (and promotion) for the bands is in touring. Just a small percent of the album selling revenues ends in the musician pockets

NP: Genesis - 'The Musical Box'

 

[SavaRon]

When we seen them earlier this year he was doing that hunched over thing as well. He wasn't reading lyrics, because he was moving around quite a bit. I guess it's just age and a real strain to belt out those songs anymore. He sounded great! It was early in the tour though.

 

[TheWhisper]

From the title, I thought this thread was gonna be about some Halford bootlegged homemade porn movie.

Halford: Hunched Over & Rising In The East

 

[SavaRon]

 

[Electronicoil]

I saw him in Dallas and he was killer, although starting to tire out during the last songs you could tell. He's always been a bit weird on stage, throwing out a few lines scattershot and kind of pacing himself. I think the hunching over has to do with hearing more than anything. Like I said, he's always been a bit weird. He's a very physical singer. And I disagree with Hawk. I think he still has it.

 

[Priest of Evil]

I dunno, wasnt he bending over in the Painkiller video? Its been a while since ive seen it...

 

[Evil?]

When I saw them a while back, Halford did a whole lot of hunching over. He was very into it and physical at parts but he was also moving pretty slow for a while. While walking up and down the stairs in particular, it took it very easy. Can't really expect the guy to run around like he's 20 though. Been touring for most of his life. that's gotta take a toll on your body.

 

[#1_Droogie]

I dunno, wasnt he bending over in the Painkiller video? Its been a while since ive seen it...

That got me thinking too, so I went and watched it. He does bend over during a couple of the screams, and twists himself a little during others. Maybe it's just physical singing? I hope so.

 

[Wyvern]

Maybe he's practicing for an upcoming Broadway show as Quasimodo

 

[Electronicoil]

When I saw them a while back, Halford did a whole lot of hunching over. He was very into it and physical at parts but he was also moving pretty slow for a while. While walking up and down the stairs in particular, it took it very easy. Can't really expect the guy to run around like he's 20 though. Been touring for most of his life. that's gotta take a toll on your body.

My friend and I speculated he may have some back pain. Plus I think it might be sort of a schtick too. I'm undecided really.

 

[#1_Droogie]

"The Hunchback Of Notre Dame: A Sonnet"

 

[sixxswine]

I believe that they may have still a few good albums in them but that they should quit touring. The performance of "Painkiller" on the DVD is embarrassing for a Judas Priest disciple like me.

I don't know. I do address the vocal thing in my review here....

Judas Priest-Rising in the East
By: Ruben Mosqueda

Judas Priest are currently on the road in support of their comeback record, Angel of Retribution.
If you’re like me and missed the tour’s first leg, <i>Rising in the East</i> is your chance to see what all those that caught Priest live are raving about. <i>Rising in the East</i> documents Priest’s triumphant return to the land of the rising sun. Clocking in at approximately 120 minutes, the dvd includes 23 tracks of classic and current hits, there’s also at 5.1 mix, the camera work is superb, the only thing lacking is that there are no extras on this dvd. You’ll soon forgive Priest for this once you view the concert. The set is nearly flawless, the musicianship is top notch, Glenn and K.K. still are tight, Ian still stands in place and lays down the heavy grooves and Scott Travis is still the animal behind the drums. I think the only sign of weakness shown from this metal unit is from The Metal God himself. Nothing lasts forever, not even Metal Gods. Rob tries his hardest to nail some of those notes, but half way through the set, he begins to show his age. None is more evident than when he tries to sing the 1990 classic “Painkiller.” While Rob has lost a step, he’s not to the point where his performance is an embarrassment, by no means is he in line with Ozzy Osbourne, who should have hung it up a decade ago. Perhaps, Priest should choose a shorter set list to allow Rob’s voice not to get to the point where he’s having to drop a couple registers? Regardless, this dvd is a must have for any metal maniac that hasn’t ever experienced a Judas Priest concert. It definitely blows away their last concert release with Halford.<br><br>

 

[Priest of Evil]

That got me thinking too, so I went and watched it. He does bend over during a couple of the screams, and twists himself a little during others. Maybe it's just physical singing? I hope so.

 

[Fangface]

That got me thinking too, so I went and watched it. He does bend over during a couple of the screams, and twists himself a little during others. Maybe it's just physical singing? I hope so.

Yeah he has been doing that for a while (at least on the Painkiller tour), even when he was in top form I think. Top form singing I mean