Last Friday night, the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, New Jersey, turned into a temple of hard rock theatrics and heavy metal firepower as Alice Cooper and Judas Priest joined forces for a co-headlining show that was as nostalgic as it was electric. The amphitheater was packed with fans spanning multiple generations, all eager to witness two Rock and Roll Hall of Fame acts that have been shaping the genre for decades.
The evening began with Corrosion of Conformity, who warmed up the crowd with their brand of Southern-tinged sludge metal. Known for their fusion of stoner riffs, hardcore grit, and groove-heavy rhythms, COC wasted no time setting the tone. Songs like Albatross and Clean My Wounds drew loud cheers, their thick riffs rolling through the amphitheater like thunder. It was a fitting appetizer—heavy, dirty, and straight to the point.
Judas Priest then took the stage, kicking things off with Black Sabbath’s War Pigs as their taped intro before launching into All Guns Blazing. Rob Halford, clad in his iconic leather, prowled the stage with commanding presence, his voice carrying a mixture of grit and soaring intensity. The setlist was a satisfying blend of classics and newer cuts, with Hell Patrol, You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’, and Painkiller igniting the crowd into a frenzy.
One of the highlights came with Hell Bent for Leather, as Halford roared onto the stage on his Harley, a tradition that still feels thrilling even after decades. The band closed with Living After Midnight, and as Queen’s We Are the Champions played over the PA, the audience couldn’t help but smile at the celebratory sendoff. While some fans may have wished for deeper cuts, Priest kept their set tight, making sure every song hit with maximum impact. The twin guitar assault of Richie Faulkner and Andy Sneap gave the performance sharpness and bite, ensuring Priest lived up to their reputation as one of heavy metal’s most enduring forces.
If Judas Priest brought the muscle, Alice Cooper brought the theater. Taking the stage after a dramatic prerecorded intro, Alice emerged to the strains of Hello, Hooray, immediately pulling the audience into his twisted rock opera. The setlist spanned multiple eras, mixing in deep cuts like Who Do You Think We Are with staples such as I’m Eighteen, No More Mr. Nice Guy, and the ever-popular Poison. Cooper’s performance was elevated by his theatrical flair—guillotines, bloodied props, and his infamous staged execution during Going Home. Even in his seventies, Alice leaned fully into his role as rock’s master of horror theater, balancing menace with sly humor.
Together, the three performances offered a dynamic arc: Corrosion of Conformity laying down the heavy groundwork, Judas Priest providing metallic intensity, and Alice Cooper delivering the grand theatrical payoff. The contrasts worked in the show’s favor, giving fans a full spectrum of what hard rock and metal can be.
Alice Cooper
Judas Priest
Corrosion of Conformity
