In a recent interview, Tim “Ripper” Owens clarified that KK's Priest – the band formed by him and guitarist KKDowning – is not trying to be a new Judas Priest or create any kind of competition between the two bands.
Owens, who like Downing is a former member of Judas Priest, said he “loves” his former bandmates and hinted that he would like to tour with both bands. “There’s only one Judas Priest and that’s them. If KK wanted to go that way, we would have called the band KK’s Judas Priest . But I think the fans are happy because they know they have two things from the same vein and they have KK back,” said Ripper.
“There’s no competition. I mean, how amazing would it be if we did shows with them? Honestly, I don’t care. I love the guys from Priest. Rob Halford is my idol. And Richie [ Faulkner ] and I are friends. We’re not trying to create a competition or make another Judas Priest. That’s why we’re releasing an album first. If we were trying [to create a competition] we would have gone on tour first,” he concluded.
KK's Priest's debut album, Sermons Of The Sinner , arrives on October 1st and is available for pre-order exclusively at the Wikimetal with a special discount. Order yours here.
While KK Downing previously stated that "nothing" could convince him to reunite with Judas Priest , Tim Ripper stated that he was "open to any possibility," but that apparently bringing the two bands together on tour is something that "isn't going to happen."
“I once tried to get Beyond Fear to open for Judas Priest on tour. Wendy Dio was my manager and they were adamant in saying, ‘No way. You’re not opening for us.’ But we’re all friends. Speaking for myself, not Ken [KK]. I think about how much the fans would love it. How cool would it be if it happened?”
READ ALSO: Wikimetal Exclusive: Discounted pre-order of 'Sermons Of The Sinner', the first album by KK's Priest