Interview by Robert Cavuoto
K.K.’s Priest established them as a metal juggernaut when they released their debut album, Sermons of the Sinner, in 2021, debuting on the Top 20 charts in the United States, the UK, Germany, Sweden, and Finland, to name just a few. Now the band is fired up again and will release their sophomore album, The Sinner Rides Again, on September 29th via Napalm Records.
K.K. Downing is most notably known around the globe for being the guitarist in Judas Priest for over 50 years. His songwriting abilities and powerful guitar playing have profoundly influenced the band’s signature sound and impacted five decades of metal music. The news of his departure from Judas Priest twelve years ago distraught fans around the globe!
Thankfully, he is back, hungry, and better than ever with KK’s Priest, along with monster vocalist Tim “Ripper” Owens, bassist Tony Newton, guitarist A.J. Mills, and drummer Sean Elg. Together they have created a metal masterpiece that will usher in a new era of layered twin guitars, killer melodies, steel-belted screams, and thunderous drumming. From the haunting introduction of dual guitars on “Sons Of The Sentinel” to the undeniably catchy anthem, “Strike Of The Viper,” to the striding, sultry, slow metallic punches of “Hymn 66,”, The Sinner Rides Again is a testament to the classics while speeding full force into the future.
The Sinner Rides Again will be available in multiple formats; pre-orders can be found here: https://www.napalmrecordsamerica.com
I had the pleasure of speaking with Ripper about the band’s sonically powerful new release, how their music has evolved musically from the first album, their plans to conquer America with a spectacular theatrical show, his inspiration for lyric writing, his thoughts on Priest’s performance at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction, and his disappointment of being erased from the band’s history! Check the full interviews, and please make sure to follow My Global Mind on Facebook and Twitter and subscribe to their YouTube channel.
KK’S PRIEST live one-offs:
July 6, 2023 – Wolverhampton, UK @ KK’s Steel Mill
July 9, 2023 – Knislinge, SE @ Time to Rock Festival
August 9, 2023 – Villena, SP @ Leyendas Del Rock Festival
August 12, 2023 – Kortrijk, BE @ Alcatraz Festival
December 2, 2023 – Mexico City, MX @ Life After Death Horror Fest
March 2-7, 2024 – Monsters of Rock Cruise
KK’S PRIEST w/ Paul Di’Anno & Burning Witches across the UK in October:
October 7, 2023 – Birmingham @ O2 Institute
October 8, 2023 – Glasgow @ SWG3
October 10, 2023 – Nottingham @ Rock City
October 11, 2023 – Manchester @ O2 Ritz
October 12, 2023 – London @ O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire
KK’S PRIEST is:
Tim “Ripper” Owens – Vocals
K.K. Downing – Guitar
A.J. Mills – Guitar
Tony Newton – Bass
Sean Elg – Drums
KK’S PRIEST online:
WEBSITE
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM
NAPALM RECORDS