Al Atkins

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Singer AL ATKINS – “I Wished That (JUDAS PRIEST) Would Have Put My Name As A Past Member On Their Official Website”

Posted by tarjavirmakari on January 5, 2013
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Source: Bravewords.com

Former JUDAS PRIEST singer AL ATKINS (ATKINS MAY PROJECT) spoke to Greece’s Rock Overdose recently about a number of topics. A few excerpts from the chat follow:

What are your feelings on the new Atkins May Project album, Valley Of Shadows?

Atkins: “It has to be one of the very best recordings I have ever been involved with. Our first offering ‘Serpents Kiss’ took us by surprise how well it was received and they were just a bunch of really good random songs that Paul had written but this time Paul wrote all the material with me and my vocal style in mind so I was more comfortable singing ‘Valley of Shadows’. From the heavy opener ‘Welcome to the Nightmare’ the album weaves its way through classic British metal, heavy blues rock and even progressive metal songs so there’s something for everyone on this album.”

AL_ATKINS

Rockoverdose.gr: What was your reaction when KK Downing left Judas Priest?

Atkins: “I was shocked like everyone else but he is 60 years old and if he feels it’s time for him to retire that’s up to him. I thought he may return to record another album and play the odd festival in a six-piece line up like Iron Maiden did but that’s not to be, so I have been told.”

Rockoverdose.gr: Do you find the appropriate credit was given to you, having written songs on the first two albums, but also having offered that legendary band-name nowadays?

Atkins: “Yes and no would be my answer… I think credit was given to me but I wished that they would have put my name as a past member on their official website.. It wouldn’t have done them any harm but I bear no grudge against them after all it could be their management who stops a lot of things happening. I’m still in touch with some of the band and went to Ian’s (Hill; Priest bassist) house for a New Year Party last week.”

Read more at Rock Overdose.

Original JUDAS PRIEST Singer’s ATKINS MAY PROJECT; Album Sampler Available

Posted by aliblackdiamond on September 27, 2012
Posted in: Int. News. Tagged: , , , , . Leave a Comment

Source: Bravewords.com

Valley Of Shadows is the second album from the ATKINS MAY PROJECT, featuring original JUDAS PRIEST singer Al Atkins and Christian guitarist Paul May (TEMPLE DOGS), which will be released in November.

About the Atkins/May Project, Atkins told BraveWords.com recently:
“”It’s completely different. Because I am not that much involved with the writing side. A lot of credit of this album goes to Paul May. It’s been an absolute revelation for me lately because in the last year I’ve been a bit idle I must admit and the phone has been ringing, ‘Can you guest on my album?’ And I needed a kick up my ass to get me writing again myself. But it’s been absolutely brilliant because of Paul May; I met up with him when I split up with Holy Rage just over a year ago. He said, ‘Can you help me do some vocals on the album?’ And I said, ‘Yeah sure, Paul.’ He’s been a great friend of mine for over twenty years. I went in singing a couple of tracks and I ended up doing the whole album. It was absolutley fantastic. There’s a lot people who really don’t make it big time who should have and Paul is one of those guys. He should have made it along time ago. I must give a lot of credit to Paul on the album.”

Read more at BraveWords.com.

A Valley Of Shadows album sampler can be heard on YouTube below:

 


Original JUDAS PRIEST Singer Says Band Would Have Sounded ‘More Like AC/DC’ Had He Not Left

Posted by Mohsen Fayyazi on February 11, 2012
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In a recent interview with the Bradenton Classic Rock Music Examiner, original JUDAS PRIEST singer Al Atkins was asked if he ever regretted leaving the band, which he fronted from its inception in 1969 until 1973. “I was the only one in the band that was married with a kid to feed and without a record deal and the backing we needed I just couldn’t survive anymore, so I decided to get a haircut and a 9-to-5 job,” he replied. “Yes, I did regret it, but was happy for them to eventually get that deal and climb the ladder to succeed and they much deserved it.”

Regarding what would have been different with JUDAS PRIEST had he stayed in the band, Atkins said, “Well, when Rob [Halford] came in, he took them to another level with his style of high-range vocals and then stepped in Glenn [Tipton, guitar] to add that harmony impact on guitars. Both were writers, too, so they made their own mark and a great job, too… If I would have stayed with them, we may have taken a different road. Maybe more like AC/DC, but that’s not a bad thing, is it?”

Atkins and Christian guitarist Paul May recently joined forces to create a powerful new CD called “Serpent’s Kiss”, now available on Gonzo Multimedia. The 10-track album is the product of two of the Midlands’ finest architects of rock and metal coming together to create something that is unique and totally exhilarating.

Atkins is the co-writer of several PRIEST songs which are included on the band’s first two albums, “Rocka Rolla” and “Sad Wings of Destiny”, both of which eventually went gold. Atkins co-penned the heavy metal classic “Victim of Changes”, which was a combination of Rob Halford‘s song “Red Light Lady” and Atkins‘ own “Whiskey Woman”. He also co-wrote “Winter”, “Never Satisfied”, “Dreamer Deceiver” and “Caviar and Meths”.

In 1989 Atkins released his debut solo album, “Judgement Day”, to great acclaim. But it was “Heavy Thoughts” and “Victim of Changes” (the latter being his collaborative album with ex-JUDAS PRIEST drummer Dave Holland) that brought him strong sales and critical acclaim around the world.

JUDAS PRIEST bassist Ian Hill penned the foreword to Al Atkins‘s autobiography, titled “Dawn of the Metal Gods: My Life in Judas Priest and Heavy Metal”. The book, which was written with Neil Daniels — a freelance rock writer and heavy metal fan who befriended Atkins during the writing of Neil‘s book “The Story Of Judas Priest: Defenders Of The Faith” (Omnibus Press) — was released in 2009 via Iron Pages.

ATKINS/MAY PROJECT‘s “Fight” video:

 

 

Source: Blabbermouth

 

Original JUDAS PRIEST Singer AL ATKINS Talks About Band’s Early Days In ‘Untold Stories’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on December 8, 2011
Posted in: Int. News. Tagged: , . Leave a Comment

Birmingham Music Heritage‘s heritage film called “Untold Stories” looks at the Birmingham, England music scene between 1965 and 1985, the heyday of Brummie pop and rock.

Lots of interviews and clips make this film a unique story told by the people who were there and made the music.

In part 3 of “Untold Stories”, which can be seen below, original JUDAS PRIEST vocalist Al Atkins, the band’s former manager Dave Corke and others discuss PRIEST‘s early days.

Atkins is the co-writer of several PRIEST songs which are included on the band’s first two albums, “Rocka Rolla” and “Sad Wings of Destiny”, both of which eventually went gold. Atkins co-penned the heavy metal classic “Victim of Changes”, which was a combination of Rob Halford‘s song “Red Light Lady” and Atkins‘ own “Whiskey Woman”. He also co-wrote “Winter”, “Never Satisfied”, “Dreamer Deceiver” and “Caviar and Meths”.

In 1989 Atkins released his debut solo album, “Judgement Day”, to great acclaim. But it was “Heavy Thoughts” and “Victim of Changes” (the latter being his collaborative album with ex-JUDAS PRIEST drummer Dave Holland) that brought him strong sales and critical acclaim around the world.

JUDAS PRIEST bassist Ian Hill penned the foreword to Al Atkins‘s autobiography, titled “Dawn of the Metal Gods: My Life in Judas Priest and Heavy Metal”. The book, which was written with Neil Daniels — a freelance rock writer and heavy metal fan who befriended Atkins during the writing of Neil‘s book “The Story Of Judas Priest: Defenders Of The Faith” (Omnibus Press) — was released in 2009 via Iron Pages.

Commenting on PRIEST‘s decision to embark on one final “farewell” world tour, Atkins said, “It was forty years ago when I first formed [JUDAS PRIEST] alongside [then-]18-year-old K.K. Downing [guitar] and Ian Hill [bass] — doesn’t time fly past you when you’re not looking? — and after four years fronting them, I left, to be replaced by Rob [Halford]. I have watched them grow into the metal gods that they are and can honestly say they deserve everything they have achieved over this time and they will leave us a legacy of great memories and brilliant metal anthems. I wish them all the luck with their ‘Epitaph’ farewell tour.”

Source: Blabbermouth.net