Judas Priest's "Nostradamus" and an Epic Brewing Company Wit Beer (Release #8) Belgian-Style Ale make for strange, but very good bed-fellows! This is tonight's pairing, thus sayeth the Meista...
Released in 2008, "Nostradamus" is the sweet 16th studio album by THE METAL GODS themselves, Judas Priest. The album is a bold and commercially risky concept album focusing on the life and times, and dark predications of 16th-century writer/"seer" Nostradamus. Far more progressive and ambitious than anything the band had done previously, "Nostradamus" profoundly redefines not only the sound of Judas Priest, but they're standing in the metal pantheon. It is complex, provocative, richly textured, and rocking! I don't even know where to start with the songs... all 23 of them! Highlights for me would have to include: "Prophecy," "Revelations," "War," "Pestilence And Plague," "Conquest," "Persecution," "Exiled," "Visions," the title track "Nostradamus," and "Future Of Mankind", just to name a few! The album features the amazing talents of the following (which I won't even attempt to describe):
- Rob Halford – vocals
- K. K. Downing – guitar, synthesized guitars ( Sadly, this would be the final Priest album to feature guitarist and founding member K.K. Downing, before his (far too early) retirement.)
- Glenn Tipton – guitar, synthesized guitar
- Ian Hill – bass
- Scott Travis – drums
- Don Airey – keyboards
- Pete Whitfield – strings
As the name of the company denotes, this is an Epic beer; exactly what an epic Priest album needs, don't cha think?! Slightly higher in alcohol content than traditional Wits, Epic's #8 is brewed using Muntons wheat malt, Briess flaked oats, authentic Belgian yeast, premium malts (including Weyermann Pilsner), and a "smidge" of fresh hops. Spices include: whole and unscented coriander, sweet and bitter orange peel, ground ginger, cardamom pods, and grains of paradise. The Wit #8 pours a cloudy, pale straw-gold with a frothy, bright white head. The nose, unlike the flavor is citrusy, tart, and sharp (almost metallic) from that Belgian yeast, like a Lambic. The flavor is initially a burst of soft banana and then those multiple spices kick in... peppery, organic, and rich. There are notes of nutmeg, ginger, marmalade, lemon zest, and freshly baked bread. And you get a hint of that pink bubble-gum flavor so familiar with good Belgian-style ales. Oh, man this is good!! Complex and refreshing, this is the perfect ale to compliment the intensity, beauty, and profundity of "Nostradamus"!!
Check out the Epic Wit at http://epicbrewing.com/the-beers/exponential-series/item/626-wit-beer! And pick up a copy of Judas Priest's "Nostradamus" from my buddy Kevin at the Heavy Metal Shop: www.heavymetalshop.com!!
Raise your horns!! Cheers!!
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