Tag Archives: tim owens

K.K. Downing Introduces New Band “K.K.’s Priest” To The World

February 18, 2020 Ken Pierce Leave a comment

Former Judas Priest guitarist K.K. Downing has been in the news recently with appearances at some festivals and jamming out with the likes of former Manowar’s Ross The Boss and just last month when the news about his signing to Explorer1 Music was announced. If you missed that alert just click HERE because it will be good to know as Mr. Downing introduces his brand-new band to the general public.

The Press Release:
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.
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Events, Reviews

Charred Walls Of The Damned @ Gramercy Theatre (7/8/2010)

December 6, 2010 Ken Pierce 1 Comment

Artist: Charred Walls Of The Damned
Venue: Gramercy (New York, NY)
Opener: Don Jamieson, Magus Beast, The Hixon, The Smash-Up
Date: 7/8/20100
Label: Metal Blade Records

Charred Walls Of The Damned is a new Metal project band for former Death and Iced Earth skin basher Richard Christy. The drummer has been out of the Metal loop for a few years based on his working with the Howard Stern radio show but of course once this is in your blood it is only a matter of time before you return to it. I guess it’s like being in the mob. It was not long ago that the bug sunk its fangs deep into Christy’s system and beckoned him back to the Metal stage and to do this time proper he would assemble a killer band to record with in his new group the Charred Walls of the Damned. On guitar he would have producer Jason Suecof and on bass Steve DiGiorgio. The powerful music that would come from such players could only be properly compensated by the incendiary vocal pipes of Tim “Ripper” Owens who for many fans of the genre can do no wrong. Their self-titled album has been getting some positive reviews and this release would be the focus of their set tonight. They would have a few regional bands as support in each stop but the direct support space was relegated to comedian Don Jamieson from “That Metal Show”; the program hosted by Eddie Trunk. Here is how the larger part of the night went down for those who might have missed it.
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Music, Reviews

“Beyond Fear” by Beyond Fear

March 5, 2006 Ken Pierce Leave a comment

Artist: Beyond Fear
Title: “Beyond Fear”
Label: SPV Records
Release Date: 5/5/2006
Genre: Heavy Metal
Rating: 9/10

The world at large first heard of Tim “Ripper” Owens when he stepped into the shoes of Rob Halford to front the Metal Juggernaut that is Judas Priest. After recording and touring two studio albums and two live ones plus a DVD he joined forces with Jon Schaffer to record Iced Earth’s epic “The Glorious Burden”. The success of the album was a fantastic result of this teamwork and brought new fans to both Iced Earth and increased Ripper’s following all the more. When a break in Iced Earth’s touring schedule happened Owens was able to focus his energies on something that had been on his mind for awhile; the recording and release of his own material. Instead of doing an expected “Tim Owens Band” album the singer opted to put together players that he had known for years. From there the die was cast and the result Beyond Fear. Tim brings to life the Rock to Riches story by taking care of ones friends when the opportunity arose. Beyond Fear not only holds a powerful, strong presence in name but mainly in the strength of the material on this self-titled release. As you start the album you instantly are aware of the level of vocal range that Owens possesses. His register will break glass in your house if this album is played at too high a volume and the band itself is a core of solid players. Beyond Fear is made up of John Comprix (lead guitar), Dwayne Bihary (rhythm guitar), Dennis Hayes (bass) and Eric Elkins (drums). Hayes also comes from Owen’s band Winter’s Bane and did work with Seven Witches at one time. Comprix is an excellent find as his guitar shredding fits perfect against the material showcased on the album. His axemanship is blistering at points all around and I think this release will find him held in high regard going forward. Metal fans will be wondering where he has been all this time for he is that good. The drumming, bass and other guitar work is nothing to brush off either and quite honestly the whole group seems to mean business.
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Events, Reviews

Jon Oliva’s Pain @ Brooklyn Music Terminal (9/16/2005)

October 16, 2005 Ken Pierce 1 Comment

Artist: Jon Oliva’s Pain
Venue: Brooklyn Music Terminal
Opener: Chris Caffery, Beyond Fear
Date: 9/16/2005
Label: SPV Records

The walls were set to rumble at the announcement that Jon Oliva the mighty “Mountain King” would be returning to Brooklyn with his band “Pain”. This “Metal Insurgence Tour” would be partnering him with Chris Caffery and Tim “Ripper” Owens. As everyone knows Chris Caffery performed with Jon as a member of Savatage and Owens is currently the front man of Iced Earth. Combined this would prove to be a great night of Heavy Metal power. Local talent Operatika and Brooklyn’s own Gothic Knights would set off the night for this particular show. Operatika, who have recently set their demo recording “Dream World” on the world performed a very short set of only three songs. I am not sure what transpired but it could not have been fun for the band. Gothic Knights were up next and this would be the first time on stage for them in over a year. After the release of the “Up From The Ashes” CD, the group had split with LMP and also had some lineup changes. Even after so long an absence they sounded very good and it’s nice to see Power Metal is not reserved as a European export. I look forward to seeing more from them in the near future.
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Features, Interviews

PiercingMetal Talks To Iced Earth’s Tim “Ripper” Owens (4/29/2004)

March 30, 2005 Ken Pierce Leave a comment

Tim “Ripper” Owens was no longer a member of Judas Priest and had moved on when the Metal God Rob Halford chose to return to their ranks. Of course the singer would not sit idly by and instead would hook up with the one and only Iced Earth and record their stunning “The Glorious Burden “CD. The powerful release found the group touring to support it and playing with Children Of Bodom as their direct support along with Sweden’s Evergrey. We caught up with the vocalist backstage at the venue and discussed a few of the recent happenings.

KP: Tim it’s indeed a great pleasure to meet you face to face and let me first thank you for taking the time to sit and talk with me on behalf of the Metal Circus

Ripper: Good Man

KP: So it’s awesome to see you in New York again, so how does it feel to be back in the Big Apple

Ripper: It’s great you know I was just doing some promotion here not too long ago did MTV and Sirius Music and a bunch of stuff but its nice to play here. We should be playing someplace a little bit bigger though I think.
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