Wikipedia

KK's Priest

KK's Priest are an English heavy metal band, formed by former Judas Priest guitarist, K. K. Downing in 2020.

KK's Priest
KK's Priest in 2024
KK's Priest in 2024
Background information
OriginBridgnorth, Shropshire, England
GenresHeavy metal
Years active2020–present
Labels
Spinoff ofJudas Priest
Members
Past members
Websitekkdowningofficial.com

History

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Downing left Judas Priest in 2011, citing "an on-going breakdown in working relationships between myself, elements of the band and management for some time."[1] He did not perform live again until 2019, when he played at Bloodstock Open Air festival with former Manowar guitarist Ross the Boss.[2][3] He also played a one off show in Wolverhampton on 3 November 2019, along with former Judas Priest members Tim "Ripper" Owens (vocals) and Les Binks (drums), then-current Megadeth bassist David Ellefson and Hostile guitarist A.J. Mills.[4][5]

In January 2020, Downing signed with Explorer1 Music Group, which would pair him with veteran manager Andy Gould, and announced that he would work on brand-new music.[6] The following month, it was announced that Downing had formed a new band, KK's Priest, with Mills, Owens and Binks and bassist Tony Newton.[7][8][9][10]

The band's debut album Sermons of the Sinner was originally scheduled to be released on 20 August 2021, but was postponed until 1 October.[11] A music video for the album's lead single, "Hellfire Thunderbolt", was released on 12 May 2021. However, Binks did not appear on the album as a result of a wrist injury and was replaced by Cage drummer Sean Elg. Later, Binks would occasionally perform live with KK's Priest.[12][13]

When speaking to KNAC in June 2021 about Sermons of the Sinner, Downing said that he was already at work on material for the next album, which would be more of a collaboration effort than the first album.[14] In 2023, KK's Priest released their second album The Sinner Rides Again.[15]

The band’s debut concert took place on Thursday, July 6, 2023, at KK Downing’s own concert venue, KK’s Steelmill in Wolverhampton, with supporting acts Paul Di’Anno and Tail Gunner.

Members

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Current members

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  • K. K. Downing – guitars (2019–present)
  • Tim "Ripper" Owens – lead vocals (2019–present)
  • A.J. Mills – guitars, backing vocals (2019–present)[16]
  • Tony Newton – bass, backing vocals (2020–present)
  • Sean Elg – drums (2021–present)

Former members

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Discography

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Studio albums

Singles

  • "Hellfire Thunderbolt" (2021)[18]
  • "Sermons of the Sinner" (2021)[19]
  • "Brothers of the Road" (2021)[20]
  • "Raise Your Fists" (2021)[21]
  • “One More Shot at Glory” (2023)[22]
  • "Reap the Whirlwind" (2023)[23]
  • “Strike of the Viper” (2023)[24]

References

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  1. ^ "K.K. Downing". guitarhoo.com. Archived from the original on 23 October 2017. Retrieved 4 December 2012.
  2. ^ "Ex-Judas Priest Guitarist K.K. Downing To Perform With Ross the Boss At U.K.'s Bloodstock Open Air". Blabbermouth.net. 6 July 2019. Retrieved 6 July 2019.
  3. ^ "K.K. Downing & Ross The Boss Band will be Playing 3-4 Judas Priest songs at Bloodstock 2019". The Metal Voice. Archived from the original on 26 July 2019. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
  4. ^ "Former Judas Priest Members K.K. Downing, Les Binks And Tim 'Ripper' Owens To Perform Band's Classic Songs At One-Off Concert". Blabbermouth.net. 17 September 2019. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  5. ^ "K.K. Downing Details How Recent Show With David Ellefson, 'Ripper' Owens And Les Binks Came Together". Blabbermouth.net. 10 November 2019. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
  6. ^ Childers, Chad (30 January 2020). "Ex-Judas Priest Guitarist K.K. Downing Working on New Music". Loudwire. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
  7. ^ Grow, Kory (18 February 2020). "Ex-Judas Priest Guitarist K.K. Downing Forms Band With Other Former Priest Members". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  8. ^ "Tim 'Ripper' Owens Is 'Really Excited' About His New Band With K.K. DOWNING". Blabbermouth.net. 19 February 2020. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
  9. ^ Kielty, Martin (13 March 2020). "K.K. Downing Comeback Album Is 'Classic-Sounding Metal'". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  10. ^ "K.K. Downing Says KK'S Priest's Debut Album Is 'Sounding Incredible'". Blabbermouth.net. 22 March 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  11. ^ "KK's Priest's Sermons of the Sinner Pushed Back To October". Blabbermouth.net. 22 July 2021. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  12. ^ Enis, Eli (10 May 2021). "K.K.'s Priest Announce Debut Album Sermons of the Sinner". Revolver. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  13. ^ Price, Jason (12 May 2021). "KK's Priest To Unleash Sermons of the Sinner Album On August 20th!". iconvsicon.com. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  14. ^ "K.K. Downing Says Second KK's Priest Album Will Be More Collaborative Effort". Blabbermouth.net. 13 June 2021. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  15. ^ Chantlerpublished, Chris (2023-09-26). "New KK's Priest album The Sinner Rides Again isn't reinventing any wheels, but when you have K.K. Downing and Tim 'Ripper' Owens together on this kind of form, who cares?". louder. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  16. ^ "KK'S PRIEST - MEET THE BAND - FORMER JUDAS PRIEST GUITARIST K.K. DOWNING INTRODUCES GUITARIST A.J. MILLS". bravewords.com. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  17. ^ "KK's Steel Mill". www.kkssteelmill.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-12-22.
  18. ^ Neilstein, Vince (2021-05-12). "KK's Priest Unveil First Song, "Hellfire Thunderbolt"". MetalSucks. Retrieved 2023-12-22.
  19. ^ "KK'S PRIEST: New Single - "Sermons of the Sinner"". Devil's Gate Music. 2021-06-16. Retrieved 2023-12-22.
  20. ^ Neilstein, Vince (2021-07-21). "Here's a New KK's Priest Song, "Brothers of the Road"". MetalSucks. Retrieved 2023-12-22.
  21. ^ Olivier (2021-08-25). "KK's Priest featuring ex-Judas Priest guitarist K.K. Downing release video for single "Raise Your Fists" - Sleaze Roxx". sleazeroxx.com. Retrieved 2023-12-22.
  22. ^ "KK DOWNING AND KK'S PRIEST ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM, VIDEO & SINGLE, AND PARTNERSHIP WITH NAPALM RECORDS!". 30 June 2023. Retrieved 2023-12-22.
  23. ^ "KK'S PRIEST REVEALS ELECTRIFYING NEW VIDEO & SINGLE "REAP THE WHIRLWIND"!". 28 July 2023. Retrieved 2023-12-22.
  24. ^ "KK'S PRIEST UNLEASHES VENOMOUS NEW SINGLE & VIDEO "STRIKE OF THE VIPER"!". 25 August 2023. Retrieved 2023-12-22.
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