Celestial (Rob Halford album)

Celestial is a solo studio album by British heavy metal singer Rob Halford recorded with his family and friends.[5] His previous solo album Winter Songs was released in 2009.[4] The album is a collection of traditional Christmas carols interpreted by Halford and several originals written by bandmembers.

Celestial
Studio album by
ReleasedOctober 18, 2019
Studio
  • Bay Ten Studios, Walsall, West Midlands
  • Gospel Oak Studios, Rowington Green, Oxfordshire
  • The Cabin Studio, Streetly West Midlands
  • Woodworm Studios, Barford St Michael, Oxfordshire
GenreHeavy metal, christmas music
Length45:13
LabelLegacy
ProducerMike Exeter
Rob Halford chronology
Halford IV: Made of Metal
(2010)
Celestial
(2019)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
The Arts Desk[2]
Blabbermouth.net8/10[3]
KNAC4/5[4]

Reception

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Guy Oddy of The Arts Desk stated, "...on Celestial, Rob Halford has proved himself to be the one man who can out-camp The Darkness, even with a complete lack of fruity humour and innuendo, but by somehow throwing all self-consciousness aside. For this is an album that doesn’t so much straddle the line between genius and insanity but gamely embraces both, and could just be the greatest rock’n’roll Christmas album ever because of it."[2] Jay H. Gorania of Blabbermouth.net wrote, "There is an undeniable sense of self-awareness throughout "Celestial" as he performs family-friendly classics with heavy metal's fist-to-the-face approach, which highlights his banshee-like wailing, crooning, screeching and growling. The irony is not lost on our favorite hell-raiser at all."[3]

Track listing

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No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Celestial"Mike Exeter, Rob Halford1:32
2."Donner and Blitzen"Mike Exeter, Rob Halford, Alex Hill, Robert Jones3:31
3."God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen"Traditional2:45
4."Away in a Manger"Traditional4:03
5."Morning Star"Rob Halford, Robert Jones4:14
6."Deck the Halls"Traditional5:03
7."Joy to the World"Traditional2:48
8."O Little Town of Bethlehem"Traditional5:31
9."Hark! The Herald Angels Sing"Traditional2:06
10."The First Noel"Traditional4:24
11."Good King Wenceslas"Traditional7:28
12."Protected by the Light"Mike Exeter, Rob Halford1:48
Total length:45:13

Personnel

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  • Rob Halford – vocals, percussion
  • Alex Hill - bass guitar, vocals
  • Robert Jones - lead guitar, rhythm guitar, keyboards, vocals, programming
  • Nigel Halford – drums, percussion
  • Mike Exeter – keyboards
  • Jon Blakey – lead guitar, rhythm guitar
  • Phil Ridden – percussion
  • Sue Halford - percussion

Charts

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Chart (2019) Peak
position
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[6] 92
Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE)[7] 74
UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)[8] 15
US Top Album Sales (Billboard)[9] 26
US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)[10] 2
US Top Holiday Albums (Billboard)[11] 4

References

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  1. ^ "Rob Halford - Celestial Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  2. ^ a b Oddy, Guy (7 December 2019). "CD: Rob Halford - Celestial". The Arts Desk. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  3. ^ a b Gorania, Jay H. (25 October 2019). "Celestial". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  4. ^ a b Yarborough, Alex. "KNAC.COM - Reviews - ROB HALFORD 'Celestial'". KNAC. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  5. ^ Delgreco, Lisa (6 September 2019). "Rob Halford Gets In The Holiday Spirit With 'Celestial,' Announces Arizona Appearance". Legacy Recordings. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  6. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Rob Halford with Family & Friends – Celestial" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
  7. ^ "Spanishcharts.com – Rob Halford with Family & Friends – Celestial". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
  8. ^ "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
  9. ^ "Rob Halford Chart History (Top Album Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
  10. ^ "Rob Halford Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
  11. ^ "Rob Halford Chart History (Holiday Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 6, 2024.