The 12 months 2021 introduced with it the recording return of Ok.Ok. Downing and his new signature band, K.K.’s Priest. The band launched the ferocious Sermons of the Sinner, which was adored by followers and proved that Ok.Ok. hadn’t misplaced even a step throughout his reprieve from recording. Now, simply two years later, Ok.Ok. and associates are again with the The Sinner Rides Once more. Does the sophomore report measure as much as the debut? Fairly merely, sure. It most definitely does. The Sinner Rides Once more picks proper up the place Sermons left off.
“Sons of the Sentinel” begins the report off with a bang and an unbelievable efficiency on vocals by Tim “Ripper” Owens. Within the pre-chorus particularly, Owens hits the upper octaves in falsetto and simply belts it out. Assume a cross between Rob Halford and King Diamond. It is utterly harking back to old-school Priest and really a lot on level. Your entire observe is simply the excessive vitality banger you’d count on from Ok.Ok. and firm to kick off a kickass report.
The second reduce, “Strike of the Viper” sounds one thing such as you’d count on to listen to on a type of later 80’s Priest data. Its traditional metallic achieved the way in which it needs to be achieved. The band does not stray off path, they do not try to change the sonics or fluctuate the songwriting. That is deliberate and this is the reason songs like “Strike of the Viper” work in addition to they do. It is a related system for songs like “Reap the Whirlwhird.” Straight forward heavy metallic that is combined nicely, with crushing dueling leads, and written with brevity in thoughts. These are songs you crank up in your automotive when you’re taking a wild and free street journey along with your finest associates on a transparent summer season’s day. The lyrics aren’t going to win any Nobel Prizes, however then you definitely would not count on they might. You need deep lyrics and progressive tune constructions, there’s loads of bands like Rush and Dream Theater you may take heed to.
Like the primary report, the blending and manufacturing is spot on. I like the truth that I can actually hear the bass and the drums so clearly and I will clearly discern Ok.Ok.‘s guitar from AJ Mills‘. That is very obvious within the sections with the wishbone leads on songs like “One Extra Shot at Glory” and “Keeper of the Graves.”
The Sinner Rides Once more does not depend on gimmicks or experimentation. Bluesy rockers just like the “Pledge Your Souls” are there to wake you up and really feel the nostalgia for the time that metallic was a bit extra simplistic and direct than it’s now. And as you proceed to take heed to the highly effective sluggish construct the develops in tracks like “Wash Away Your Sins” you come to appreciate that, unabashedly, this can be a traditional metallic report for a traditional metallic loving viewers. It is black leather-based, blue denim, Harley Davidson- using heavy metallic with no apologies.
In only a very quick time, Ok.Ok. Downing and his mega-talented crew have given us two bone-crushing data. Ok.Ok. nonetheless has a excessive stage of vigor, and keenness simply oozes from each blistering reduce on this LP. Whereas some people will lament the truth that Ok.Ok. continues to be not a member of Judas Priest, I am unable to assist however love the truth that I get to listen to music by each Priest themselves and K.K.’s Priest. My greatest criticism is that I’ve but had the prospect to truly go to any K.K.’s Priest exhibits right here within the US. “General, if you happen to nonetheless have any doubts about this band or about Mr. Downing himself, The Sinner Rides Once more will wash them away after first pay attention.”
