|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
SHIELD OF PAIN TOUR
Live at North Island Credit Union Amp
October 27th 2025 Review by Greg Vitalich
The co-headline tour featuring hard rock heavy metal titans Alice Cooper and Judas Priest rolled into Chula Vista’s North Island Credit Union Amphitheater and delivered everything you’d hope for from two of rock’s legendary acts: theatrics, raw power, a blitz of rock anthems, polished showmanship, and a celebration of musical careers spanning over 50 years.
On a dimly lit stage with fog and pulsating strobes and sounds of thunder crackling, Alice Cooper made his grand entrance waving a sword to “Who Do You Think You Are.”
Cooper always has an incredible touring band, and this lineup is no exception. Bassist Chuck Garric, guitarists Ryan Roxie, Tommy Henriksen, and Nita Strauss, and drummer Glen Sobel laid down the blistering rock riffs while Cooper commanded the stage in his signature villainous top hat and make-up persona.
At 77 years old, Cooper continues to conjure up seemingly endless energy to deliver a thoroughly entertaining show using theatrics he pioneered.
All the favorite hits were delivered: “No More Mr. Nice Guy,” “I’m Eighteen,” “Feed My Frankenstein,” “Poison,” “Cold Ethyl” (performed, as always, holding a life-size doll to highlight the song’s macabre theme), and of course “School’s Out” as the perfect grand finale.
Aside from the major hits, the setlist took on a “new older” theme; two older songs had never been performed before this tour – “Dangerous Tonight” (1991) and “Going Home” (1975). Additionally, several deeper cuts were included to give the set a splash of freshness.
I’ve seen Alice Cooper several times in the last five years, and his shock-rock horror spectacle never gets old. Cooper is the ultimate charismatic showman, and his incredible all-star band puts on one hell of an entertaining show.
The night shifted from gothic horror-cabaret to pure, unrelenting heavy metal. Judas Priest stormed onto the stage with the perfect blistering opener, “All Guns Blazing.” Frontman Rob Halford, donned as always in black leather, continues to amaze audiences with his strong vocal abilities.
The band lineup of bassist Ian Hill, guitarists Richie Faulkner and Andy Sneap, and drummer Scott Travis brought precision, aggression, power, and riff-heavy metal thunder to complement Halford’s vocal power.
Guitarist Richie Faulkner has fast become one of my favorite metal musicians. Faulkner helped re-energize Judas Priest when he joined in 2011, and he’s a force of nature onstage. He is always engaging with the audience, often encouraging everyone to sing along, and is an incredible metal guitar player.
Priest’s set leaned heavily on their 1990 album “Painkiller,” with five songs to celebrate its 35th anniversary. Two fresh tracks from their 2024 album “Invincible Shield” were also included, and of course a long list of fan favorites: “Breaking the Law,” “Living After Midnight,” “You’ve Got Another Thing Coming,” “Freewheel Burning,” “A Touch of Evil,” “Electric Eye,” “Painkiller,” and “Hell Bent for Leather.”
I couldn’t help watching and reflecting on the 74-year-old Halford, the true Metal God, still singing with such power and in complete command of the stage and the crowd.
The most touching moment of the night came when Halford paused, stage all to himself, and sat down in a chair gazing at the huge crowd as they roared and chanted “Halford, Halford, Halford!”
With touching humbleness and appreciation, the legendary metal frontman put his hand on his heart and addressed his audience: “Wow, we’ve been together a long time huh, a long long time! Judas Priest has been making heavy metal for 56 years, damn it! Tonight, it’s all about music, right? Music is such an important part of our lives, music is eternal, music is with us here and when we go.”
An emotional Halford graciously thanked the audience for supporting the band over five decades.
As the loud sustained power chords of “Living After Midnight” signaled the end to the evening,
I realized I had just witnessed a masterclass night of rock performance; from Alice’s choreographed horror theatrics to Priest’s unrelenting metal assault, it was a showcase of rock n roll greatness from two legendary acts who have stood the test of time.
SHOW PHOTO GALLERY
by Greg Vitalich Photography
TO FOLLOW
SID 251028 | TRACI TURNER | EDITOR
