Judas Priest

St George's Hall, Bradford

One of Britain's most enduring bands stormed through decades of hits to kick off their UK tour at Bradford's St George's Hall on Monday evening.

Judas Priest, who have been one of the country's premier metal acts since forming in the 70s, played heavy hit after heavy hit to a packed crowd of "metal maniacs" in arguably one of the biggest rock gigs the venue has hosted for several years.

Despite some members now being in their 60s, the band proved they were still faster than a lazer bullet and louder than an atom bomb with a set that showed they have done anything but mellow over the years.

The crowd, made up of several generations of metal fans, lapped up every minute of the gig, the only Yorkshire stop on the tour.

The set featured hits such as Breakin' The Law, You've Got Another Thing Coming and Screaming for Vengance as well as tracks from their latest album, Redeemer of Souls, which the tour has been named after.

The beauty of the band's back catalogue meant that they had the crowds singing along to tales of Valhalla one moment and rock n' roll hedonism the next.

Starting the Evening were Temple of Rock, formed by UFO guitarist Michael Schenker. The band kicked off with UFO classic Doctor, Doctor, and played a warmly recieved set that also included an extended version of Rock Bottom and their take on Scorpions' hit single Rock You Like a Hurricane.

By the time Priest arrived on stage the crowd were well and truly warmed up, and they delivered everything fans would want from a Judas Priest gig - multiple costume changes by frontman Rob Halford, each more outlandish than the last, a dazzling backdrop featuring images from the band's back catalogue and, of course, songs that metal bands half, or even a third of the age of Judas Priest would struggle to perform with as much swagger and confidence.

Highlights included Halford arriving on stage for Hell Bent For Leather on a motorbike, dressed in full biker gear and a mass singalong for set closer Livin' After Midnight.

Plans are underway to refurbish St George's Hall, Britain's oldest purpose built concert hall, and after the band played a jaw dropping version of Painkiller, one of their heaviest songs, a refurbishment will probably be needed - it is amazing the hall is still standing.

The strength of bands like Judas Priest is that they know exactly what they are best at, and after all this time still can do it so well. After helping define heavy metal in the 70s and 80s, gigs like the one they just performed in St George's Hall show they are still a long way away from running out of steam.