“They Flat Out Said No”

Revered and adopted by hundreds of thousands of basic heavy metallic lovers, Judas Priest has seen its share of ups and downs, lineup modifications, and reunions which have stored followers on the sting of their seats. Final yr, the world witnessed the historic reunion with guitarist Ok.Ok. Downing alongside former drummer Les Binks, for a momentous efficiency on the Rock And Roll Corridor Of Fame ceremony, leaving followers looking forward to a full-fledged return. Nonetheless, in a latest interview with Metal Hammer, Downing acknowledged that he wouldn’t play together with his former bandmates ever once more.

In a blunt response to the query of whether or not he would ever make one other look with Judas Priest, Downing acknowledged firmly, “No.” He defined that earlier than he launched into his personal musical journey with K.K.’s Priest, he had approached the band, anticipating to step again into his “rightful place.” Nonetheless, the response from his former bandmates, Glenn Tipton and Ian Hill, was a flat “no,” delivered by means of their legal professionals.

“Earlier than I began K.K.’s Priest, I requested in the event that they’d take into account me stepping again into my rightful place as a result of at one level they introduced they have been going out as a four-piece. I used to be anticipating to be again within the band when there was a gap, or no less than to be requested. However Glenn and Ian [Hill, bassist] wrote by means of their legal professionals saying a flat no, which made no sense, as I used to be there first. And Rob [Halford] left for 11 years so how does he have the fitting to say ‘I will not take into account you re-joining”

Downing‘s frustration was evident as he identified the irony of the scenario: “I used to be instrumental in reinstating him into the band! Glenn wasn’t involved in having Rob again, he needed to maintain Ripper [Tim Owens, who replaced Rob Halford in Priest when the latter left in the 90s]. However I gave them one final probability, and I used to be like, ‘Are you certain? In the future you may dwell to remorse it.’ Let’s hope they do not.”

The guitarist did supply a glimpse into his rock ‘n’ roll coronary heart by revealing that he had at all times hoped to work with Tim “Ripper” Owens once more. Owens had changed Halford throughout the 90s, and his time with the band left an indelible mark on their music. Downing shared, “Sure, I am hoping we are able to create one thing right here the place Ripper finds a great residence. I imagine that when he sings this materials, he is at his finest. His voice can cowl something, however our stuff is a little bit paced out so he can get the most effective out of the lyrics and the notes.”

Downing simply launched the brand new K.K.’s Priest album final Friday (September twenty ninth), and you’ll seize it here.