Search - Glenn Tipton :: Baptizm of Fire

The missing 90's Priest album -- good songs with sub-par voc

- Durrkk | Ohio/PA border USA | 11/30/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The reason there was such a gap between Judas Priest's PAINKILLER (1990) and JUGULATOR (1997), other than the fact that they had to find someone worthy of replacing Halford, was perhaps because guitarist and main songwriter Glenn Tipton wrote and recorded TWO ALBUMS worth of material under his own name -- EDGE OF THE WORLD and BAPTIZM OF FIRE.



Label executives rejected Glenn's first attempt, EDGE OF THE WORLD, on the grounds that it wasn't metal enough and was too "old school," i.e. they wanted younger musicians to accompany him. So Glenn went back to the drawing board and came up with BAPTIZM OF FIRE (while EDGE OF THE WORLD was eventually releaed in 2006).



Although I heard a couple of tracks off of BAPTIZM when it came out in 1997 I never got around to buying it until a year ago. The cd features numerous guest musicians in the bass and drum departments, including Metallica's present bassist Robert Trujillo. The songwriting is stellar & diverse, while the production is crystal clear and punchy -- energetic and heavy, but not crushingly heavy.



As for Glenn's lead vocals, they really prevented me from appreciating this disk at first. In fact, it took me an ENTIRE YEAR to get used to them enough to enjoy the songs and musicianship! Glenn's vocals resemble Dave Mustaine at bit, but way more course and strained, not to mention grungey at times. They're not necessarily bad; they're just not good. In fact they remind me of a dummy vocal track that a guitarist would put on a demo tape to help the singer get a grip on the guitarist's vision of the song.



The problem with Glenn trying to sing is that his vocals will automatically be compared to the singer of his primary band -- Rob Halford. Halford isn't called the 'metal god' for nothing, and Glenn just can't compete in the vocal department, which is why he's the guitarist of Judas Priest not the singer.



That said, after a year I was able to finally warm up to Glenn's highly unique vocals and appreciate this work. BAPTIZM is similar in style and diversity to DEMOLITION, while at the same time not sounding like that disk at all. Here's a rundown of the songs:



1.) "Hardcore." This would be a great opener but it's held back by Glenn's vocals. The vocals on the chorus are particularly irritating. But I got used to it and appreciate it now. Intriguing and surprisingly candid lyrics about porn/masturbation addiction (Huh?!) I think. RATING: 4/5 Stars.

2.) "Paint it Black." The original by the Stones is a masterpiece. This hard rock version is barely passable. It fails to move and the emotion is missing. RATING: 2.5/5 Stars.

3.) "Enter the Storm." This is one of the album's highlights. It starts out fairly unimpressive but then takes an unexpected doom metal turn. Intriguing lyrics on spiritual rebirth. RATING: 4.5/5 Stars.

4.) "Fuel Me Up." Solid driving number about substance addictions and the numerous talented people who inevitably fall prey. RATING: 4/5 Stars.

5.) "Extinct." Another solid driving number. This time Glenn addresses the fear of becoming a has-been. RATING: 4/5 Stars.

6.) "Baptizm of Fire." This is a fiery instrumental (except for one brief stanza) full of great licks, chords and bass playing. Seriously, the bass playing by Billy Sheehan will blow your mind and Glenn's leads are smokin' and unrestrained -- his best ever. In the sole lyrical passage Glenn states that if you want to meet God, He's right next to him -- huh? RATING: 5/5 Stars.

7.) "The Healer." This song is killer from beginning to end. Glenn's vocals actually work pretty well, but if he had a real singer this would've been a huge metal hit. No kidding. The lyrics deal with charlatan healers who are more interested in bringing attention to themselves and putting on a show rather than introducing people to the true Healer. The secondary chorus that starts with "Look at me" is exceptional and potent as it builds to climax; unfortunately it's only heard once. It should have been repeated. RATING: 5/5 Stars.

8.) "Cruise Control." This one features a unique percussion-oriented start/stop riff and great lyrics about breaking free from the rut of monotony. I can certainly relate to that! RATING: 4.5/5 Stars.

9.) "Kill or be Killed." Good speedy/thrashy piece. Glenn's vocals work well on the bridge. RATING: 4/5 Stars.

10.) "Voodoo Brother." This is another song where Glenn's vocals work pretty well, especially on the catchy chorus. This should have been a radio hit. RATING: 4.5/5 Stars.

11.) "Left for Dead." This is an off-the-beaten-track folk piece that starts with a banjo. Catchy and poppy. RATING: 3/5 Stars.



This '06 reissue has 2 BONUS TRACKS not featured on the original '97 release:



1.) "Himalaya." An epic rock piece about Glenn's visit to Tibet that is so moving it's a downright religious experience (for him, that is). RATING: 3.5/5 Stars.

2.) "New Breed." A fun pop rock track about how Glenn feels different from everyone else. RATING: 3/5 Stars.



While these bonus songs are okay they're not worth going out of your way to obtain, unless you're a completist.



BAPTIZM OF FIRE is a real grower. You have to adapt to Glenn's unique vocals to appreciate it, but it's worth it if you can. In addition to the stellar musicianship and songcraft, the mature and intriguing lyrical themes are a highlight; don't worry, no fantastical and juvenile Halfordisms here (e.g. "Painkiller" and "Hell Rider").



Many feel that Glenn should have enlisted a real vocalist for this project, and I agree, but then it wouldn't truly be "Glenn Tipton" would it? In any event, the vocals hold it back from being an A-level recording.



PERSONAL RATING: B+"

The Legendary Glenn Tipton!!!!!!

Cody Harbour | Little Rock, AR USA | 01/12/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This record really shows a lot a diversity, if you buy and are expecting to hear a priest style record you will not get one. Glenn did an excellent job with this, it is very metal as far as the instruments go, as far a vocals go it sounds a little like bob dylan. Usually that would be a bad thing to someone like me but glenn takes dylan's style of singing and really pulls it off. very raspy, at times not very clear, but it really suits the music. The high points are Fuel Me Up, Hard Core, The Healer, And the title track Baptizm of Fire it has very catchy Riffs, Melodies, And Smoking Leads but that is what you should always expect from Glenn.



Overall it has high and low moments and at times is a little slow, but I think it grows on you over time, took a while for me to get used to it.....but give this a lot of listens, and give it a fair shot and I hope you enjoy because I sure have."