Despite the relatively small venue, the stage - set up with an electric eye as a backdrop, plenty of metallic steps and platforms, and pagan signs and flags displayed everywhere - was used to good affect.

A recorded version of The Hellion and the live intro of Electric Eye roared as Halford was raised in on a black stand from inside the eye, all dolled up in leather, silver studs, black shades and a very big leather coat. The sold-out crowd went absolutely nuts for the self-proclaimed Metal God.

A breathtaking line-up of songs included Metal Gods, The Ripper and Painkiller. Despite being a man in his fifties, Halford's screams and huge shifts in tones and harmony are still very much (and remarkably) present.

Soaring epics such as Behind The Realms Of Death, Touch Of Evil and Victim Of Changes are as powerful and immense as at the time they were conceived. As for the new stuff the brutality of Judas Rising, Revolution, Deal With The Devil and Hellrider melted seamlessly into their classic repertoire.

Halford changed coats during the two-hour show more times than most of us change our socks in a week. It did get annoying when he kept walking off stage - sometimes he even began a song before he returned.

The sound was so monstrously loud that for much of the evening the audience were totally drowned out, but their enthusiasm was in abundance. The brilliantly infectious campness of Hell Bent For Leather and the mighty anthem that is Living After Midnight had a near-universal appeal.

Sadly there was no room for The Sentinel or Heading Out To The Highway but Hot Rockin' from the underrated Point Of Entry album and the Ram It Down offspring I'm A Rocker were dusted off and were more than welcome.

As the backdrop curtain changed, finishing with simply "Judas Priest United," it's odd that the band didn't play United from the British Steel masterpiece - as they did on last year's reunion tour. For some, perhaps it's a good thing but I always enjoyed its kitsch quality and catchy chorus.

Scott Travis beat the hell out his drum kit while Ian Hill played the thunderous bass. And as always it's a glorious sound to your ears when KK Downing and Glenn Tipton plug in their guitars and let rip with some of metal's most distinctive and original riffs.

While Halford's voice was in fine shape, sometimes it was painful to hear the excruciatingly loud sounds that emitted from his mouth. He was drenched in sweat under all that clobber and his shiny bald head could hardly go unnoticed as he conjured up some amazingly high notes.

They're back, they're British and they're legends. And this was without doubt a classic Priest show. Bow down, if you please, for the only true metal gods.

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Mercury Prize 2009 nominees