Priest - Altered State Police

October 23rd, 2026

(Album Review)

*****

An altered state you will want to enter into

The album opens with a Euro-thic Dance intro called 'Jaded' which has news features mixed in with an epic soundscape of sounds while a slight alarms hits in the background. This sounds very late-night club or out and about, but could be used in a film maybe like the 'Beach' - it announces 'Welcome to your Altered State" and the album starts. Straight into EBM - Darkwave, very like the bands on Out of Line Music... but Priest have that distinctive keyboard sound that can only belong to Priest.

Hard hitting with Electronic beats and the note "You know someone is watching you". I like the way that 'Python' has different layers and textures to it that bring something new. But at the same time, it keeps to the old Priest formula , which made you like the band in the first place. 'Jeopardize' continues this with a 90s sound that continues what I was saying before. But has a very 90s House music or Pop sound to it, mixing up a Dance version of Depeche Mode with 2wo Thirds, The Orb and Orbital. 90s sounding keyboards with break beats that show the band love for vintage Dance music. Yes, it's repetitive in places, but that is what a lot of music remixes of that period had.

The title track of the record, 'Altered State Police ', is breathtaking, a ballad that mixes up Dance-era Tokio Hotel with Nik Kershaw and Depeche Mode, this is truly epic and shows a new side of Priest. It is very commercial and will move the band to the next level. While keeping to their roots, and maybe moving Priest to a slightly different place in your record collection. Love the synthesisers, and that hit in with one place. And the haunting background vocals, which are truly something special. In places you would think a cleaner Mesh, and this leads nicely on to 'Karmageddon'. A really lively track, that is perfect for a single. And has the bands crazy electronics to it we have heard on previous albums.

You can hear a little bit of Aesthetic Perfection in their, so touring with them must have given some influence to the record. Which I like, its kind of paying tribute to an act that has helped you out. I hope more bands will do this in the future, its something I really like. I like the whole feel of the album, its like late night street meets 90s Gay House club. Its just such an amazing beautiful sound, that in places can be compared to The Twin (Boy George) or We are Brando. I really love Erasure / Thompson Twins sounding song 'Sentimental' which is so Synth-Pop and takes me back to a time when I was happy and the World was very different. Before the World was turning into an Altered State, when bands like Aha were in the charts. Simply love this track, can't stop playing it.

'When we're Gone' is a club dancefloor EBM / Darkwave / Electronic / Solar Fake type of track, with the added great vocals by Priest singer Linton Rubino (Aka Mercury) on the top. 'Dehumanized' think gives a darker feel to the album, and explores the topic of the record even more. Bring you the naughty with the nice, and some classic keyboards in to boot. This is a standout track, that is easy to get into. And the chorus is so epic, you feel you have heard it before in a good way while it keeps its new fresh excitement. Of when you first hear a track, and love it from the start. 'Minions' has a great cool intro of sounds before it gets a little darker, and the vocals come in. This song has so many layers to it , and is more in your face.

In contrast, 'The Savior's Blade' is a very different type of track, far slower and even a love type Power Ballad in places. This leads on nicely to the Pop masterpiece that is 'Here comes the Light', And closer 'Stargate', which are both worth the wait for. Maybe put the album on random sometimes, to make sure you listen to every track the same amount of times. Because each are equally as brilliant, off an album that is a future classic. 'Stargate' is a track that takes inspiration from Erasure and I really love that. I will be getting this on vinyl and cassette, and advise you do to. Because this has to be listened to on a format that was avaliable in the 80s and early 90s.

Review by Dan Devour

'Altered State Police' was released on October 23rd, 2026 via Blue Nine.