With a queue that looks like it possibly stretches into a different time zone, anyone who thought LA legends W.A.S.P. would struggle to attract decent-sized crowds these days is very much mistaken. With a tour postponed due to the Covid pandemic three years ago, Blackie Lawless and co land on English shores once again, the natives turning out in full force to celebrate. And where better in the West Midlands to play than KK’s Steel Mill, the venue owned by former Judas Priest axeman KK Downing?
In 1969, the first edition of one of the world”s biggest bands within the New Wave of British Heavy Metal – Judas Priest – was formed. One of the founders was guitarist KK Downing. KK was in the band until 2011 and over the years, he was one of the songwriters for most of the metal world”s biggest songs as “Breaking the Law”, “Living After Midnight” and “Painkiller”.
It’s startling to think that it’s already been ten years since legendary guitarist KK Downing left heavy metal icons Judas Priest in a well documented and not entirely amicable parting of the ways. After taking some time out, in 2018 Downing established KK’s Steel Mill, a music and arts venue where onstage alongside former Priest members Les Binks and Tim “Ripper” Owens, plus Hostile guitarist AJ Mills and former Megadeth bassist David Ellefson, the foundations for solo debut Sermons of the Sinner (EX1 Records) were laid the following year.
Heavy Metal icons KK’S Priest, cled by former Judas Priest guitarist, KK Downing and former vocalist Tim “Ripper” Owens, has shared a new single, the title track from their forthcoming debut album, “Brothers of The Road.” The album is due out August 20th via Explorer1 Music Group/EX1 Records. You can watch the accompanying video to the track and pre-order the album at the links below!
Sad news as Blabbermouth.net has reported that John Hinch, early drummer for Judas Priest has died. He was 73 years old. Hinch’s passing was confirmed by Priest vocalist Rob Halford on Instagram. Hinch played on Priest’s debut album “Rocka Rolla.” Hinch originally joined Priest in 1973 along with Halford from the local band Hiroshima but left the band in 1975 over musical differences. According to Wikipedia, Hinch later pursued a career in music management. He was mentioned prominently and for the most part positively in both the recent autobiographies of former member KK Downing and Halford. RIP.
Heavy Metal supergroup KK’s Priest will release their debut album in 2021, in a post revealed on Facebook. The band features former Judas Priest members K.K. Downing (guitar), Tim “Ripper” Owens (vocals), and Les Binks (drums), will release its debut album in 2021 via Explorer1 Music Group. The group will also play select shows next year to mark the 50th anniversary of KK’s old band. Their set will focus on new music and classic hits from the band.
Royalty Exchange, the brand that administers rights of bands and artists’ future rights is offering a portion of Slipknot’s future royalties on their 20089 platinum album All Hope Is Gone (Roadrunner Records). Previously this was owned by the producer of the album. You will need deep pockets to win, as the current bid was $758,000, with bids set to end on Monday, May 4 at 3PM MDT. The first distribution payment will come on Sept. 30, 2020, with future distributions being paid biannually. For additional details and to get in on the bidding, check out the Royalty Exchange auction at the link below. The winning bidder will have the opportunity to own a slice of the group’s music whenever it is played, which is all the time. Royalty Exchange has revealed that the total earnings for the All Hope Is Gone album grew 20 percent in 2019 over the previous year. Streaming subscriptions have also helped drive the growth, resulting in 73 percent of last year’s earnings. That marks a 40 percent increase over the prior year in that area. All five of the top-earning songs in the catalog earned more last year than in 2018, with four of them growing by double-digit totals. In addition, the Royalty Exchange producer royalties auction not only includes Slipknot’s All Hope Is Gone, but also Simple Plan’s self-titled 2008 record. The winning bidder will collect royalties generated from any sales, streaming, and sync fees for either album, as well as the individual singles contained on both. Sales and streaming, in particular, pay a greater share of revenue to sound recording royalties over composition royalties. Thsi may seem weird, but it is commonplace in the industry. Famous musicians who have sold off part or all of their royalties include David Bowie, Eminem, Nirvana, and KK Downing of Judas Priest. Continue reading
Judas Priest is celebrating their 50th anniversary this year with a world tour coming to the US in the fall. The 50 Heavy Metal Years Tour will also feature Sabaton as openers and is being fueled by the highest-charting album of Priest’s career ‘Firepower’ which peaked at #5 on the Billboard 200. Judas Priest originally formed in 1970 in Birmingham, England (an area that many feel birthed heavy metal). The original nucleus of musicians – Rob Halford, Glenn Tipton, KK Downing and Ian Hill (along with several different drummers over the years) would go on to change the face of heavy metal. The band has made some of the greatest albums in music history. Judas Priest’s lineup also includes Scott Travis on drums, and Richie Faulkner on lead guitar. Andy Sneap has been touring with the band on rhythm and lead guitar since 2018. In 2017 (and again in 2019) Their latest studio album Firepower (produced by Sneap and Tom Allom) which received global success and critical acclaim and released via Epic Records in 2018. The band was nominated for the 2020 Rock And Roll Hall of Fame. Continue reading
A former car factory, KK’s Steel Mill sits at the heart of industrial Wolverhampton and is owned, as the name suggests, by former Judas Priest guitarist and general all-round local legend KK Downing. This latest West Midlands rock venue opened its doors last year and, apart from the impressively sized stage area and the massive wall banner showing the artwork to Priest’s 1986 album Turbo, looks to have changed very little from when it was built back in 1903.Continue reading
Bloodstock Open Air 2019 takes flight in three weeks and the fest just dropped their final addtions to the bill. KK Downing (performing with Ross The Boss) The Wildhearts (replacing Code Orange), Lotus Eater (replacing Shvpes), Pemphigoid, Black Falcon, Crimson Tusk, Jackals Backbone who fill out Sunday’s line-up. Other additions to the bill and ticket buy links are listed below. Continue reading