In a recent discussion with Masa Ito, a noted Japanese music critic and radio personality, Kenneth “K.K.” Downing, the former guitarist for JUDAS PRIEST, shared insights about his current band, KK’S PRIEST, which also includes another former JUDAS PRIEST member, vocalist Tim “Ripper” Owens.
When asked if his strategy for composing music and performing with KK’S PRIEST mirrors his lengthy stint with JUDAS PRIEST, K.K. responded: “Yes, it’s the same. I’m the same — the same, the same ears, the same mind, the same desire for the music and the passion for heavy metal. And I’m proud of all of the fans and everything that we’ve created on this massive lifetime journey. Masses have been there with us — all of the fans, in Japan and the rest of the world, have been on that journey. They’ve seen it all evolve from nothing into something fantastic.
“I have the same amplifiers, the same guitars, the same equipment. I produce the same sound. I am the same person. I can’t change. Nothing can change that. And my writing style, everything I do, it’s no different. It’s just a variation of everything else. The songs, they’re different songs, but everything is the same. To me, it’s the same. I think, yeah, a lot of what I do now could be on Stained Class or British Steel or Painkiller — it all has that synergy. It’s got to, because I am the entity from beginning and I’m never gonna change. The only difference is now I’m playing with different guys. And I’m really, really happy.”
“I do believe that Ripper Owens is the best metal singer,” K.K. continued. “He has the best, best voice on the planet today. He’s even better now than he even ever was. He’s great, and he needs to be acknowledged as that. And that’s why with this band, we all have the platform to continue something, hopefully, that will continue and be well respected and certainly something I think the fans will really enjoy the genuineness and the legitimacy of what we do.”
KK’S PRIEST released their second studio album, The Sinner Rides Again, on September 29, 2023 via Napalm Records.
