Judas Priest “Invincible,” Alice Cooper unlocks the “Attic” throughout CU1 Amp co-headline

Photos by Andy Argyrakis

As two of the most formidable forces to ever saturate the heavier side of the dial, Judas Priest and Alice Cooper made for a mighty match when it came to co-headlining the Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre in Tinley Park.

The masters of British heavy metal took the closing slot as part of their “Shield Of Pain” Tour, which simultaneously places emphasis on their latest long-player, “Invincible Shield,” and the 35th anniversary re-issue of the comeback collection, “Painkiller.”

Front man Rob Halford, bassist Ian Hill, drummer Scott Travis, plus guitarists Richie Faulkner and Andy Sneap, came out “All Guns Blazing,” then took faithful on a “Hell Patrol” through fist-pumpers “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’,” “Breaking The Law” and “Night Crawler.”

The Rock and Roll Hall of Famers continued to open the “Gates Of Hell” to reveal an “Electric Eye” and “Giants In the Sky,” dedicated to Ozzy Osbourne and all those passed from this life, possessing the same ferocious spirit they started with well over a half-century ago.

No matter how often each were performed in the past, “Painkiller,” “Hell Bent For Leather” and “Living After Midnight” were still a thrill, as was Halford revving up his Harley-Davidson motorcycle before riding off into the sunset.

A little earlier, fellow Rock Hall inductee and “The Godfather Of Shock Rock” unlocked “Alice’s Attic” to fully attack “Who Do You Think We Are,” “Spark In The Dark” and “No More Mr. Nice Guy.”

Though he’s fresh off “The Revenge Of Alice Cooper” album, which reunited former band members Michael Bruce (guitar), Dennis Dunaway (bass) and Neal Smith (drums) for the first time since 1973, this particular stop featured guitar goddess Nita Strauss and the entire current cast cranking out primarily the classics.

They included “I’m Eighteen,” “Muscle Of Love, “Feed My Frankenstein” and “Hey Stoopid,” alongside signature stunts ranging from getting locked in a straitjacket to taking a trip to the guillotine.

Halloween kept coming early courtesy of “Poison,” “Cold Ethyl” and “Only Woman Bleed,” followed by Cooper and company “Going Home” to the eternally adolescent bliss of “School’s Out” as the 77-year-old theatrical teacher totally defied his age and showed the masses why he’s lasted this long.

For additional information on Judas Priest and Alice Cooper, visit JudasPriest.com and AliceCooper.com.

For upcoming Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre announcements visit LiveNation.com.