"Angel of Retribution" ends a 15-year hiatus since Judas Priest [ tickets ]'s definitive lineup--vocalist Rob Halford, guitarists Glenn Tipton and K.K. Downing, bassist Ian Hill and drummer Scott Travis--last produced new music. Hopefully, it also signals the start of another equally long break.

Halford's signature, high-pitched yowl kicks off track one, "Judas Rising," but it will be the listeners who are screaming by disc's end. Almost all the right ingredients are there--Halford's crazed vocal delivery, the machinegun-like rhythm section and the dueling guitars--except, unfortunately, for the songwriting. There's not a single song on this album that deserves to be mentioned in the same league as "Hell Bent for Leather" and "You've Got Another Thing Comin'." Unmemorable new tunes such as "Deal with the Devil" and "Revolution" simply sound like the band is trying, and failing, to replicate "Breaking the Law."

However, there is one track that is ultimately unforgettable. People will try, possibly pray, to forget it. But it's impossible to ever be the same again after one hears "Lochness." Clocking in at 13-plus minutes--which constitutes nearly one quarter of the album--"Lochness" is possibly the most overblown and pretentious piece of rock ever recorded.