Fans of old school heavy metal and people who think K.K. Downing should never have left Judas Priest, rejoice. Another album from KK’s Priest is on the horizon, with The Sinner Rides Again slated for release on September 29 via Napalm Records.
Once again featuring the stellar guitar work of ex-Judas Priest guitarist K.K. Downing and the vocal talents of Tim “Ripper” Owens, it all sounds like you’d expect. That is to say that it sounds like half-time Judas Priest and Ripper-era Iced Earth/Judas Priest fucked and this was their malformed baby. Their first single, “One More Shot At Glory” is obviously a reference to the Judas Priest classic off the Painkiller album, “One Shot At Glory.”
After listening to the new album’s lead single, it also sounds like it would work on Judas Priest’s Angel of Retribution in some aspects. And maybe that’s by design, as K.K. Downing feels this next chapter in KK’s Priest’s story continues what he feels is the legacy of his former band and metal as a whole.
“To continue the legacy of the traditional rock and metal that I have been so fortunate to be a part of for over 50 years, this latest album, The Sinner Rides Again, has been created to take the listener on a journey that is both real and fictional with its characters, although sometimes ambiguous. These songs allow the imaginations of all fans of this wonderful genre of music to escape reality and join with us to continue our heavy metal experience into the future.”
With their first album being released back in 2021 via EX1 Records, this new slate of nine songs is the first offering by the band that’s got the full backing of Napalm Records. Sebastian Muench, senior A&R at the label, said KK’s Priest have created something with this record that should resonate with metal fans of all ages.
“K.K. Downing has created, with the sophomore album The Sinner Rides Again, an absolutely brilliant heavy metal masterpiece – one, I believe, that will stand the test of time and will be listened to by metal fans around the world for many, many years. K.K. Downing is a genius and Tim “Ripper” Owens’ vocals are simply mesmerizing! Napalm Records is absolutely proud to help continue to build this legacy.”
As a long-time fan of Judas Priest, I gotta say that this feels like a mixed bag. On one hand, it’s cool that K.K.’s planning on leaving the golf course long enough to make new music. Yet on the other, I kinda wish “Priest” and all references to his former band weren’t associated with this project.
It’s hard not to laugh at the idea that there would be one more shot at glory and that the sinner is back. It all just feels kinda shameless and cynical. Surely Downing isn’t so devoid of brand new ideas at 71 years old that he can’t create something fresh and new without having to lean on his former band’s legacy?
Either way, if you’re looking for Judas Priest-esque music without wanting to wait for that band’s follow up to Firepower, then maybe keep an eye out for this one. And if you want to check out the band live, there are some shows coming up in Europe (and one in Mexico and on the Monsters of Rock Cruise) that we’ve got listed below.
The Sinner Rides Again track listing:
1. Sons Of The Sentinel
2. Strike Of The Viper
3. Reap The Whirlwind
4. One More Shot At Glory
5. Hymn 66
6. The Sinner Rides Again
7. Keeper Of The Graves
8. Pledge Your Souls
9. Wash Away Your Sins
KK’S PRIEST live one-offs:
July 6, 2023 – Wolverhampton, UK @ KK’s Steel Mill
July 9, 2023 – Knislinge, SE @ Time to Rock Festival
August 9, 2023 – Villena, SP @ Leyendas Del Rock Festival
August 12, 2023 – Kortrijk, BE @ Alcatraz Festival
December 2, 2023 – Mexico City, MX @ Life After Death Horror Fest
March 2-7, 2024 – Monsters of Rock Cruise
KK’S PRIEST w/ Paul Di’Anno & Burning Witches across the UK in October:
October 7, 2023 – Birmingham @ O2 Institute
October 8, 2023 – Glasgow @ SWG3
October 10, 2023 – Nottingham @ Rock City
October 11, 2023 – Manchester @ O2 Ritz
October 12, 2023 – London @ O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire