Former JUDAS PRIEST Guitarist K.K DOWNING has announced, via his Official Facebook page, the details on his new band KK’s PRIEST. Read below.
Los Angeles, CA – February 18, 2020 – K.K Downing, founding member of Judas Priest, today announces the name of his new band KK’s PRIEST. This all new band features some very familiar faces. With Downing on guitar, KK’s PRIEST features ex-Judas Priest members Tim “Ripper” Owens on vocals, who fronted the band for eight years and recorded two studio albums, Jugulator, featuring the GRAMMY® nominted track “Bullet Train,” and Demolition, plus two live albums, and Les Binks who was the drummer on the studio albums Stained Class and Killing Machine and the live album Unleashed in the East. They are joined by Tony Newton (Voodoo Six) on bass, and A.J. Mills (Hostile) on guitar. With the line-up complete, KK’s PRIEST is hard at work in the studio creating the band’s debut album which will be released globally by Explorer1 Music Group as a part of the partnership with K.K Downing signed early 2020. More details to come.
KK’s PRIEST is represented exclusively by Andy Gould for Explorer1, with Jim Morewood handling the band’s global bookings outside the U.S. for the K2 Agency. Extensive touring and festival dates are already being planned with KK’s PRIEST taking to stages around the world to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Judas Priest and K.K Downing’s career as a founding member. The band will deliver everything that fans would expect of Downing and his ability to deliver up everything that is Priest including newly written metal masterpieces.
“Forging ahead with KK’s PRIEST was not only inevitable, but was essential for me to perform and deliver everything that is expected from me and KK’s PRIEST” says K.K Downing. “Due to the massive demand and overwhelming support from fans around the world, I feel this is where I belong, and a set combining the true, classic songs and sound of Priest, together with great, newly forged metal tracks, is what fans can expect when KK’s PRIEST is taking to stages.”
Last summer K.K Downing made his first public appearance in almost 10 years, performing classic Judas Priest cuts at the Bloodstock Open Air Festival in the U.K. In November K.K Downing called on Tim “Ripper” Owens and Les Binks for a surprise, one-off performance, featuring Hostile’s A.J. Mills on guitar and David Ellefson from Megadeth on bass. The band performed a blistering set of classic Judas Priest songs as well as deep album cuts that have never been performed live. With an overwhelming response and the instant chemistry Downing, Owens and Binks shared on stage, KK’s PRIEST was born.
K.K Downing’s genre-defining guitar style helped establish Judas Priest‘s iconic sound and helped propelled them to one of the top Heavy Metal bands of all-time, earning numerous accolades including a GRAMMY® in 2010 for “Best Metal Performance,” a total of five GRAMMY® nominations and multi-platinum and gold releases.
Jimmy Kay from Canada’s The Metal Voicerecently spoke to JUDAS PRIEST singer Rob Halford. Halford spoke about his latest Christmas album Celestial, his opinions on Judas Priest’s nomination into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and his thoughts on the NEW Three Tremors featuring Ripper Owens, Sean Peck and Harry Conklin.
Watch the interview below.
When asked why he felt the need to do another Christmas album
“This is a special one for me, I’ve got my brother on drums and my nephew on bass and a couple of respective friends on guitars Jon Blakely and Robert Jones. So we kind of wrap this up as Halford family and friends because that’s exactly what it is and it just seems like a great opportunity to work with my immediate family that I wanted to do for years. I was with my family a couple of Christmas’ ago and we were listening to Winter Songs, so I said to them let’s see what we can make in terms of music in this holiday theme together. Write some new songs and add some traditional songs and I got the green light and what a great time we had. The way the record turned out was just phenomenal.”
When asked how you go about writing new Christmas songs
“You know how metal works, as far as the music you’re constantly inspired by what you’re listening to and for us I think the inspiration came from working on these wonderful traditional holiday Christmas classics. These traditional songs have been with us forever and are great songs and will always take a different interpretation. So when I was hearing the songs I said to the guys you know while they’re at this let’s see what we can come up with together in terms of originality. It was just a thrill to have an opportunity to have original tracks which are, Protected By The Light, Donner and Blitzen, Morning Star and Celestial. Those were bonus moments that came out of recording the traditional songs.”
When asked if Judas Priest wins the nomination into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame who will accept the award in terms of band members (ex members)
“I feel we’re going to have to wait until the day quite frankly but it’s Judas Priest in every aspect, in every respect and to be nominated for the second time is a another thrill and an honor for everything that we love about Judas Priest and the fifty years that we’ll have you know I’ve been around as a metal band next year. So whatever turns out will be great for Priests and will be great for metal.
When asked about his thoughts on the NEW Three Tremors, which was his idea years ago
“I know about them and they are wonderful singers and they’re doing something really cool and special. I wish them all the success in the world with it.”
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Grammy®-winning singer and songwriter OZZY OSBOURNE has just announced rescheduled shows in the UK and Europe on his “NO MORE TOURS 2” tour.
The six-week trek kicks originally scheduled for January now kicks off in OZZY’s native UK on October 23 before wrapping December 7 in Helsinki, Finland. The tour includes stops throughout the UK and sees the “Prince of Darkness” return to Birmingham for a hometown Halloween show. European dates include stops in Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden and Finland.
Says OZZY: “I can’t wait to get off my ass and get going again, but you’re just going to have to be a bit more patient. I want to be 100% ready to come out and knock your fucking socks off. I’m not retiring, I’ve still got gigs to do and also there’s a new album on the way. To the fans, I sincerely thank you for your patience, your loyalty, I love you.”
Judas Priest remain as special guests across all dates completing the heavyweight metal line up. Says Rob Halford “We are very grateful for the rock solid support from our wonderful UK & European fans as Ozzy gets well and strong. The UK/European tour will showcase the very best British Metal from the ones that started it all and we proudly look forward to celebrating our 50 Heavy Metal Years together with you!”
OZZY’s rescheduled 2020 European dates are below:
DATE CITY VENUE
Fri 23/10 Newcastle, UK Utilita Arena
Sun 25/10 Glasgow, UK SSE Hydro
Wed 28/10 London, UK The O2
Sat 31/10 Birmingham, UK Resorts World Arena
Mon 02/11 Manchester, UK Manchester Arena
Thu 05/11 Dublin, Ireland 3Arena
Sun 08/11 Nottingham, UK Motorpoint Arena
Wed 11/11 Dortmund, Germany Westfalenhalle
Fri 13/11 Prague, CZ O2 Arena
Mon 16/11 Vienna, Austria Stadthalle
Thu 19/11 Bologna, Italy Unipol Arena
Sun 22/11 Madrid, Spain WiZink Arena
Tue 24/11 Zurich, Switzerland Hallenstadion
Thu 26/11 Munich, Germany Olympiahalle
Sat 28/11 Mannheim, Germany SAP Arena
Mon 30/11 Berlin, Germany Mercedes-Benz Arena
Thu 03/12 Hamburg, Germany Barclaycard Arena
Sat 05/12 Stockholm, Sweden Friends Arena
Mon 07/12 Helsinki, Finland Hartwall Arena
Tickets remain valid for all rescheduled tour dates. Refunds can be sought at point of purchase.
The wait is finally over! Today, legendary long-time MOTÖRHEAD guitarist Phil Campbell, has released his first-ever solo record, »Old Lions Still Roar« via Nuclear Blast. To celebrate, the iconic guitarist has unveiled a brand new track, ‘Straight Up’, featuring the unmistakable vocal talents of JUDAS PRIEST‘s Rob Halford! Watch the lyric video here:
Phil comments, “‘The Metal God’ Rob Halford has always been an artist I admire. His distinctive vocals and stage presence have rocked millions of fans all over the world, so I count myself blessed to have written a rockin’ song together with him!”
JUDAS PRIEST have released their first limited edition spirit to the Swedish market. The ‘Judas Priest Spiced Rum’ packs a metal-like punch with spicy notes of arrack, vanilla, burnt sugar and raisins. Get yours HERE as a collector’s item or to share with fellow fans.
Brands For Fans stated:
British heavy metal pioneers Judas Priest gear up to release their first spirit. With absolutely no room for compromises or half-stepping, the Judas Priest Spiced Rum packs a flavourful punch with spicy notes of arrack, vanilla, burnt sugar and raisins. At 37,5% ABV, it’s a mouth-warming yet smooth rum with layers of flavours to discover, always remaining easily drinkable.
Having pioneered and been in the front-run of the world of heavy metal for upwards of five decades, Judas Priest have never lost their relevance on the metal scene. Quite an achievement considering that the band formed back in 1969.
And the band members are very excited about this new release, produced in collaboration with Brands For Fans.“We are thrilled to announce the release of a new rum produced together with Brands For Fans.
The complex nature of this new blend and the general versatility of rum goes hand in hand with the music produced by us over the last 50 years. It’s rum with a touch of evil…” Sari H Wilholm of Brands For Fans adds: “Judas Priest, a truly legendary band. Who’s not heard of them? Such an honor to be able to create this spiced rum with the band.”
Facts about Judas Priest Spiced Rum
Producent: Brands For Fans Sweden AB
Alcohol: 37,5 %
Volume: 500 ml
Jimmy Kay from Canada’s The Metal Voicerecently spoke to former Judas Priest, Iced Earth singer Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens. Owens spoke about the November 3 2019 K.K. Downing Steel Mill show in Wolverhampton U.K. along with former Judas Priest drummer Les Binks and Megadeth Bassist David Ellefson. He also spoke about his upcoming new solo album package and the new Three Tremors (Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens, Sean ‘The Hell Destroyer’ Peck, Harry ‘The Tyrant’ Conklin) ‘THE SOLO VERSIONS’ Release + US TOUR Nov. 15 2019 through Steel Cartel Records.
Watch the interview below.
When asked about the upcoming show with former Judas Priest member K.K. Downing and how that all got put together
“I had gotten a call from some mutual friends of all of us of K.K. and Dave Ellefson. He was like listen I think it’s a good idea to do a show David’s coming to the UK doing his book thing, he’s doing a tour and I’m trying to see if maybe K.K. wanted to join in because it’s his hometown and are you interested? I’m like yeah, I mean I really I had to squeeze it in though as I am booked with shows that month. Right After that gig I got to fly right home because I got a drive to Quebec City, Canada and start doing a short Canadian tour there with Glen and Shawn Drover. So when they ask me I was like absolutely, I definitely want to do it and it’ll be a fun time and I am looking forward to it . The plan is to make it a great set of music, it’s going to be a great night, you also got Blaze Bayley opening up the show.”
When asked of he would consider a tour with K.K. Downing, David Ellefson and Les Binks in the future
“Right now this is it, this is what we’re doing, we’re doing this one off. This is just a one-off special show. Right now that’s the only plan. I would love to do it. It would be great to do a tour but it’s just a matter of working it out with everybody schedules. As an example I’m booked up with an upcoming Three Tremors tour and my solo touring, I’m booked up pretty solid that’s not even throwing in a hologram tour if we end up doing another one.”
When asked about the new Three Tremors SOLO album re-release
“I recorded my version, I recorded all of of the songs complete. I didn’t attack the songs in parts, we sang the whole record which made it harder to mix because then they had to go how we gonna mix this thing we have to figure out who’s singing what and where. Sean Peck heard my version and goes his version is actually different than my version. I did that on purpose because when he sent me the template to sing the songs I sang it layered because I wanted to be different. For these solo albums we didn’t go back and rethink things or redo things. I think the solo versions are a brilliant idea. The solo albums are gonna be released as a three-disc set that won’t be much more of a cost to buy than a regular disc, so that’s pretty cool.”
When asked about the musical direction of the next Three tremors album
“Sean Peck is already working on the next Three Tremors record. I think the next record we’re gonna probably tame it down, at least that was my request. The first Three Tremors album was perfect it needed to come out and hit people in the face with power metal. We’re not getting three singers together to make that a mellow record or commercial record it’s gonna slam you in the face. The next one will as well but I think we’ll probably bring it back a little bit on all us just attacking it all three of us all the time. Sean is gonna start sending parts to us so we can add our two cents. In terms of a timeline Sean is thinking I’m going to get this album out.
Here’s the issue we got a ton of touring coming up, so I think Sean’s trying to get a lot of it written music-wise and any ideas now. ”
When asked about Ripper’s upcoming solo album
“I’m actually working on my own solo record now. I just kind of started. I’ve had Beyond Fear tunes and stuff lying around that we had written back in the day and I might use one or two songs from Beyond Fear. I want this album to be a little different. I really like how the ‘ A New Revenge’ record (Enemies & Lovers) came out. Maybe make my solo album in that vein but a little bit more heavier. Maybe use a little more of a different angle on my vocals, add some of my low real heavy stuff and a few more highs. Not aiming to have many guests on the album I don’t know who I am going to have play yet but I would love to get Simon Wright (ex AC.DC) on the drums. For writing my solo album I called guitarist Keri Kelli who we wrote together on the ‘A New Revenge’ album and told him, I know we’re both swamped but I’d like to start working on a new solo record. I mean could make it heavier because that’s the way my voice is or I could do it Beyond Fear heavier record but I want to save that if I do a Beyond Fear record. I also called John Capri from Beyond Fear and I said John I want you to write on my solo album too so we have that old-school hardcore influence. I just like all those influences into it to making a heavy metal hard rock record. I had one song title that I’d like I said that we had written for the second Beyond Fear record that I wrote with John Capri, called Judgment Day, (we were going to name the album Judgment Day) it was one song that I thought fit really well with my Sabbath like kind style. So I think it would fit really well with my solo record, I might even make that the title of the album ‘Judgment Day’, so you got an exclusive with that one. For my Solo record I’m actually gonna look for a label, I know it’s a hard thing to do in this day and age but I’m so busy that I am probably going to look for a label shop my solo record and put it out. ”
When asked about his mini Canadian tour called ‘A Night of Metal’ with Glen and Shawn Drover
“It’s a perfect name for us because we’re just jamming metal songs, we’re having fun, probably have a beer and get on stage. We always seem to do it through Canada and it’s usually just the three shows but this this time for some reason the last minute we added more dates like Windsor and Ottawa.”
A Night of Metal in Canada Dates
W/ Ripper Owens, Shawn Drover, Glen Drover, Adrian Robichaud
•Nov 6th L’anti Bar & spectacles, Quebec City
•Nov 7th Piranha Bar, Montreal
•Nov 8th The Brass Monkey, Ottawa
•Nov 9th The Rockpile, W. Toronto
•Nov 10th The Backstage, Windsor
TOUR DATES: The Three Tremors
Jan 27 Mon Austin, TX – Come and Take It Live
Jan 28 Tues Dallas, TX – Trees
Jan 29 Wed Houston, TX – Scout Bar
Jan 30 Thurs Ybor City, FL – Crowbar
Jan 31 Fri West Palm Beach, FL – Respectables
Feb 1 Sat Orlando, FL – Soundbar
Mar 28 Sat Denver, CO – Herman’s Hideaway
Mar 29 Sun Santa Ana, CA – Malones
Mar 30 Mon San Diego, CA – Brick by Brick
Apr 1 Wed Clifton, NJ – Dingbatz
Apr 2 Thurs Waterford, NY – Chrome
Apr 3 Fri New Bedford, MA – The Vault Music Hall
Apr 5 Sun Elmhurst, NY – Blackthorn 51
THE ROCK ALCHEMIST – Italian Rock Band from Turin with a strong sonic identity that blends modern rock with progressive, hard, alternative, and pop elements!
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
