 Jimmy K here, Metal Voice. Look at this, the Metal Voice shirts are now on sale. Just go to the video description to find out on how you can purchase one. Metal! Welcome to the Metal Voice and look who we have Alan, who do we have today? KK Downing himself. Hi everybody. Great to see you guys again. What's happening in KK's world these days? Yeah, busy, busy obviously with the record. We got lots and lots more to come. And it's going to be really quite soon. It's all very exciting. So obviously I'm doing as much promotion as I can, really just speak to as many old friends as I possibly can. And say hello to all of the fans, obviously worldwide. So here it is. Sermons of the Center to be released August 20th via Explorer 1 Music Group EX-1 Records. What a band you've put together. I've just blown away. To me, I'm just so excited about this. Guitarist AJ Mills from Hostel, bassist Tony Newton, Voodoo Six, drummer Sean Elg from Cage and Three Tremors, of course. And of course the man, Ripper Owens, former Judas Pre-Singer. And he's got three tremors and that list goes on and on and on. The hardest working man in Metal is Ripper Owens. Maybe Blaise Barrely. That's right. I have a question. What, for all, we've heard it and I don't know, like I'm digging it, but I'll let you explain. Just describe what people can expect in terms of a musical direction on this album. Yeah, it's probably a long answer for that. But the album means obviously the whole world to me, you know, because it's very, very special. It's very different for me, you know, being obviously detached from where I've been for so many decades, you know, from the late sixties onwards. And so this is very special and it's very meaningful to me. It's very poignant. And I like to think that, you know, through all of the songs, there's a lot there to think and talk about, I think really. But the big thing is it's me rejoicing together with the fans through this collection of sermons, songs, you know, basically just to have a good, so a big hello and a chat and just reminisce and make a few statements and ask people if they agree with me, you know, with songs like Metal Through and Through. Isn't it right that we don't care? We're of an age. It's our music through the special decades. You know, we cover it, we cherish it. We don't unashamedly. We don't care if people think it's old fashioned or whatever. To us, it's true. It's classic. It's metal. It's rock. It's heavy rock. You know, that big part of the evolutionary scale is in this record because I've lived that journey and traversed that journey, you know. And we have to remember when we and I was known as a heavy metal guitarist, you know, a heavy rock guitarist, a hard rock guitarist, a rock guitarist, even a progressive blues guitarist, maybe. So I've kind of been it all. So hopefully the record just is, you know, on the back of my book, I won the main reasons for writing. But I want you people to know me, KK, down a little bit more. They know of me, but through the book and hopefully through the record, hopefully we'll just tell a little bit more and knit it together in a way that I would like it to be. So was it important to get some of the ex-members of a priest for this endeavor? Yeah, it was so disappointing. We're less because I mean, we know how great he is as a drummer. But, you know, I can understand, you know, because me, myself, I'm 69, so I'm going to be 70 in October. And, you know, but fortunately for me being a guitar player, I can kind of twiddle my fingers a little bit if I have to, you know, not use the wrist so much. But then it's the lower back, the knees, whatever. But I have to keep getting out there on my voice each other. And, you know, you know, it's like it's, we have to work at it if we want to keep going at it. Yep. This is what, like, we heard a few songs. We didn't hear the whole album. We heard a few songs and I really, you know, I was pleasantly surprised because, you know, the first track that you released was Hellfire Thunderbolt. And it was kind of like that sort of painkiller style, right? But I found the other tracks were more diverse. Yep. Was this the album that Ripper should have made with Priest back in the day? You know, honestly, you know, I would have to say that if that was the case, I think it would have been really, you know, quite accepted and successful, I think. Hopefully I have to say that because I hope that this record. No, no, I think you're on a good track. I think you're doing well. I think you're doing good. For me, it's the record that I always, you know, sing the Ripper years because I had to mind everything was in a different place then. But in retrospect, this is the record I would like to hear Ripper sing and it's there now. So that's great. But, you know, if you say that you've heard just four tracks, you know, there is, again, if there's anything typical of typically reminiscent of on this album to the past, you know, I think it's fair to say that on the vast majority of Judas Priest records, there is quite a banning width of style, you know, and textures in the record, you know. And we as that band always push the boundaries of metal to try and get the fold, increase the fold all of the time, you know. And we had to do that in the 70s. It was a hard sell, you know. It was a hard sell, you know, the solid music that we were doing, people, you know, kind of stayed away from it. But with this record, like I say, with Judas Priest, we could do something like, you know, the example I've been giving is, let's say from Blood Red Sky to Living After Midnight, there's a world of rock and metal in between those songs, you know. You have one that's dark, it's a visual landscape. Visual musical landscape, if that's the right terminology, you know, extends people's imagination and what it's about. Living After Midnight, it's, you know, that's rock out time, you know. Fist pumping, fist pumping. Exactly that. And with this record, you know, like exactly, you know, with songs like Raise Your Fists and, you know, or, you know, Somersum the Sinner, you know, there's more deep and meaningful and there's more things. This is a message, let's rock out and we're back together again, you know, not just after the, you know, decade I've been away, but also with the COVID and all of this stuff. It's like, this is going to be, you know, the message is out there, you know, let's rejoice and we're together as one again, you know. So there is that kind of, again, that kind of language of style of rock and metal within the record. I found like, I would use the word diverse. That's the word I would use. Like there's a lot of diversity and it's all good diversity. Like you haven't heard a priest album like this where you have just so many different variety and it's all melodic and I'm just giving you my review. It's melodic. The production is solid. The musicianship is solid. The vocals are great. The guitar solos are great. At least that's what I heard so far. Alan, do you agree on this? Yeah. Yeah. What I was wondering was, you know, what was Ripper's contribution to the writing process on this album? Yeah. Well, what happened was, guys, I mean, after we did the show at the still nowhere with Ripper, Dave Ellison and less things and AJ, you know, what happened then? Obviously, again, I always thought that at some point I would be able to step back into my former role. I thought the door would be open at some point. So obviously I looked at that and I made complaints that, you know, it should have been open. But yet again, I wrote to the band and said look, is the door open or is it permanently closed? And they said they confirm it permanently closed. Oh, wow. So then we kind of split up for Christmas because we did the show in November. I'm not sure of the date. The Christmas came around and I'm not really a Christmas person now. Being a rock musician or you want to do some show, you know, you want to do something party or whatever. So I found it a bit boring so I thought I'll see. I'm going to do it this way around. I'm going to see if I have an album in me. So I didn't want to say, guys, let's do this and put a band together. Blues Brothers style. It was a bit like that. Shall we put, no, hold fire. Let's see if we can write the songs first, you know. Otherwise we'll be out there just paying tribute to the band. So I wanted to know if there was an album there. So I didn't want to put a band together, sit down and people go, well, come on, KK. I thought you were a songwriter. Where's the songs? So I didn't want to be truthful and honest. You know, it had been a while. So I sat down. I didn't get a pair to the chair really. And in less than like 28 days it was all there. But obviously putting the music together, when I was doing it, I wanted to know what the song was about. And I wanted to hear some lyrics. I wanted to hear a strong phonetic lyrics, stuff that had a strong delivery and everything. And I just kept on going, guys. I just kept on going. And I was kind of enjoying myself. And I was kind of doing, I was kind of, because this was new to me to do everything. And we were worlds apart. You know. And I was happy because we could get on with it because the plan was to deliver the record by April. So from Christmas to April, Dun and Dusty delivered. There was an awful lot to do because we got some shows booked that year as well. Yeah. And we had shows booked last year. And they all got cancelled. But fortunately I was able to get Ripper over. And we did the vocals here with Ripper, which was great. Got them done. Ripper just knocked them all out in those times. I was able to go down south to London to the studio to put the drums down and stuff. And the guys went back and straight away Ripper will tell you the very next day it all closed. Hotels, studios, COVID, went into lockdown. But at least I had a lot of component parts to work with to continue overdubs and embellishing the production. And then we just had to sort of find files about it was laborious and slow over the internet and everything. But yeah, that was it really. So I was obviously the goal was to get the record. And I would have delivered that record by the end of April. We were on track to do it before everything closed down sadly. But then when we did close down, I just took the pedal off the metal. I just kept tweaking things because you can always better things. You never really finish a record. You just even run out of time on money or both. Ask any band, it's true. The record company coming they snatch it off you where it's finished or not. That's enough. Wrap it up guys. Whatever it is, we've got to go with it. We'll fix it in the mix. This is the first album I've had. I've had people saying, you know, it reminds me of times like I would be somewhere in Germany in the dead of winter. Dead of winter in freezing cold dressing rooms. I'm on the toilet with a stomach ache. You know how that feels right. With more stage clothes on, the two managers banging on the door going, come on, we've got to go now, now, now the curtains are going up. I'm trying to go now, now, now. You know you feel you have to pull your pants up and get and do. True story. KK, KK, KK. Now, now that this album's done. Now that this album's done. Now that the album's done. But it's amazing, I've got to finish this story. When I see the audience, it's incredible how it goes away. You know, it goes away. It's a weird thing, you know. You're terrified it's not going to go away. But anyway, I started to go ahead. No, no, no. I interrupted you. Now that the album's done. Like you said, hey guys, could reunite. Now that the album's done, you're like, I don't need to reunite. You know, that feeling of wanting to be back is gone. Now that you have this solid album. I mean, has it been fulfilling that you're saying, I don't really need to reunite it. I mean, Wild Horse is nothing to drag me, drag me. No, it, you know, because that's it, you know. And when it's a no, it's another you can only hear it so many times and you have to go. That that's it. But now this has happened. It's like I say, you know, I didn't, I never really, I got to be perfectly honest. You know, I, you know, because I'm already putting materials down for the next record. Wow. Wow. Yeah, but I just want to reiterate, guys, when Ripper came over, he did embellish what was there as you did magic, because he's an incredible guy. He doesn't mean with his ideas and suggestions, as AJ did, and Tony, because when we were actually working together, we can work together, but this was just an unusual case. And like I said, did I feel a bit unsecure, could I do it? And when I found out I could, it was really enjoyable. And I want to do more of it. And I can't wait to get back into the other room, which is not far away. Everything's set up. All I have to do is throw the switch, and I'm back into constructing songs again. So fun times, and I'm looking for. And there's lots more that I want to put on a record before I've got to get a role on now, haven't I? To me, in the early days, on one year, we released two records in one year. But we would do one record every year in the early days. So I'm kind of back to that now, because I don't want this to be the last thing that I ever do. So when bands get some money. You seem really excited. It's all I'm going to say. It's energised. Look at that power. We fell into the trap, OK, four or five years between records. You do that because you take longer holidays, and you get complacent. But it's like Judas now. I think they've done two albums in 10 years. I mean, that's definitely taking it easy compared to when I was in the band. I think the previous 10 years, I did probably six records or something. And that's going slow compared to what we had done in the past. So what do you say to their fans are saying, KK, KK's priest is trying to outdo priest. You don't be at this type of music. What would you say to them? Oh, no, I'm like I say, it's not that. We're pretty humble, we're humble. We're doing this because we love music and we want to do what we do. I just want to confirm that, you know, with the name, I struggled with a name, hard and long, long and hard. But I just didn't want to call myself something that was totally detached from my history and my legacy. You know, I want to be in the past. I want this band to be a little bit in the past because Rippers is there. Les was going to be in the past, you know. Les is a special guest with us, which is great. I insist I'm going to force him up there to play some songs. That'll be a great moment. This is about being in the twilight for me, you know. You know, there's an awful lot of decades behind me. There's a lot more behind me than there is in front of me. But this is all about rejoicing and celebration. And it is an anniversary and there's no time for stupidness now. We've got to go out and have fun. And somebody wants to jump up on stage with us and play, you know, and guest with us. Then that's going to be fantastic as well, you know. So so I want to be I thought are we an old new band or a new old band or something in between? But I think these guys are out there, you know, I mean, some have never met and they're playing my songs as a priest. So why can't I be a priest? Are you that's how the name that's how the name came about? Yeah, I was there. I'm OK. I like it. I was I was there and, you know, I just didn't want to leave the priest behind. I can't just call myself the wild crazy boy, something that doesn't have an association with me and my life. British painkiller. Yeah, I could scream for the face. But here's a good segue. OK. So you're going to go out. You're going to go on the road. Are you going to be playing the new album? Old priest tunes. Yeah, exactly. Demolition. Yeah, because I've got to be honest. And like I say, I know I know that Judas Priest has gained a lot of new and younger fans and I wish them all all the best. But I'm looking at the band and isn't the band that I've looked at for 40 years, so it's not the same band to me. You know, obviously, when Rob left for all of those years, 14 years and took Scott with him, it was a bad time for us, you know. So but if it's, you know, there's Robin Ian or there's me and Ripper. You know, and so. But that is what it is. But the thing is, take his place. He's not just a version of that. You know, there is a face and there is a being and there is an entity and he's going to, you guys are going to experience him in a very short space of time. He's yet to be revealed. So there's lots of things coming everybody's like, this is just starting. You say, OK, exciting. Yeah, so we've got some brand new content coming very, very soon. And that will continue right the way through to the release of the record. And some really frustrating. But it's it's it's going to happen. You've got a plan. You've got to stick to the plan here. Who would be and I guess as a last question, who would be like, I'm hearing all kinds of, you know, people going, KK should go out with Halloween and made in and all these other great bands. Who would be your perfect tour to sort of go around with if you had a choice? Everybody from the era, whoever they are. You know, and we know that, you know, if it's anybody from from the mid to late sixties to, let's say, 90, when was it that it all stopped or all started? Rob left in 1990, Bruce left Maiden for a while. You know, to me, 1990, after that, you know, I wish I could think of some newfound bands that came along like like bands did, you know, in the seventies and eighties, right here of a new band, whether it was Dock and Van Island, it was a multitude of bands, you know, and it kind of stopped and everything got more kind of intense and and heavier. Don't get me wrong, lots of great bands came out from Slayer to to Pantera, Megadeth, Metallica, lots of good stuff, but just it was moving on from the what we call classic metal, I guess, or rock, heavy rock, hard rock. You're open to any of the eight, the golden era of metal in the eighties, any band, you're open to sort of tour with them. That's what you're saying. Yeah, or through to the nineties, who knows, you know, but you know, if we were on like a festival lineup, you know, you could name lots of bands from the seventies, the eighties. I mean, going into the nineties, great bands like Machine Head, you know, it works, you know, it works. It's just at some point it got there was less and less kind of classic metal. It was kind of being left behind for newer metal. And perhaps that's, you know, and there's lots of great stuff there. But because I'm kind of in the, you know, the seventies, the eighties, you know, and the nineties, but I think, you know what I'm saying, when you, when you talk about like Saxon, Udo, there'll be some great. Yeah, you know, you know, even if Donald put more back together or her band, but, you know, there's a multitude of bands out there. Dock and it would be great if they got back together. I have not made it, but, you know, you know, just to put a good lineup together that's a good value for money lineup, I think, you know. All right. Do you think you'd be pulling in a new demographic with this, with KK Sprint? I hope so. Yeah, because the idea with the record as well is, you know, it's like it is to inspire young musicians to come on board and start doing this style of music that we can relate to for those decades. I mean, if you take obviously the young band, you can't ignore them. The aggressive band fleet, it's a version of, you know, we can relate to the Zeppelin thing. Yeah, we can. But they came along with new material, you know. So why don't we have, wouldn't it be great to see a teenage version of great musicians? Because they're all great now. I see six year old bass players, I'll forget his name, six year old bass player, do Jack O'Pastoria songs. You know, I mean, so if you have a teenage deep purple, wouldn't that be brilliant with new material that deep purple could have done, you know, or a Scorpion, you know, or a pre-store, any of those bands. So that's where I would say if I was managing mentoring new bands now, I would say, and this is given a big secret to white young musicians, the way to the future is in the past. So you don't have to imagine it. You can experience it. You can hear it. You can see it's there. Does that make any sense? Revisit and reinterpret is what you're saying, right? Exactly. Don't try to invent the wheel. The funds are already there for the wheels that are in place. You just have to give your version of the wheel. Yeah, I am very inspiring. I was asking, you know, with the KK enthusiasm and, you know, everything he's done, it seems like you're almost rewritten out of the history of priests with your writing skills, you know, and now they're a little disappointing to see. This is an album, obviously, I would have made if I would have been doing all the writing to priests, because what the rights to the priests are successful as you were. And I'm very proud of it. And I'm very proud of my band mates and respect them greatly. But, you know, there was compromises because different people are saying, oh, no, you know, so. Just a man sometimes, you know, so. But this is this is not a compromise. It's it's too exclusive. If that makes sense and sounds complete to me and would have been an album, I would have proudly put out, you know, as as a Judas Priest album. I think, you know, dare say that, you know, one man's vision now, right? Yeah. All right. It. And the whole imagery and everything about I take the priest with me, take his priests through the whole album, you know, at points in our career, we left the priest behind, I think, you know, a little bit. Do you have any idea when the tour is starting? Well, it's a bit difficult at the moment because America is opening up, but a lot of bands, including Judas Priest, and I forget the sport band, but they are going out on a tour that's already booked and lots of bands are picking up on tours. So that they're all pre-booked. So there's a bit of saturation for the gigs that are open, you know, so because our album is not out till August, we're probably going to be looking to next year. But obviously we have lots of opportunities, you know, with some nice touring gigs being offered to us. And hopefully we will get an awful lot more by the time we've done all of this, you know, the releasing of the next videos and things, which is all coming your way. Keep us posted on all this. This is a marketing plan you got here. Sermons of the Center, August 20th. It's all going to happen. In fact, it's not to die. If you go, if everybody goes to KK's priest, you will see the unveiling over the next six days of KK's priest is coming your way. So be scared. Looking forward to it. Thank you for being on. So that's KK's priest.com to get a little look. Good. Good. All right. KK's priest.com. What a pleasure. Enjoy the book. Enjoy the music throughout all the decades and the hats off to you and much success with KK's priest. I'm going to see you when I'm there. What city are you in, guys? Montreal, my friend, Montreal. Wonderful. We'll see you there. All right. Thanks a lot, guys, for having me. I'm going to look for the show.