It’s been over a decade since guitarist K.K. Downing parted ways with Midlands Metal pioneers Judas Priest, the highly publicised fallout causing seemingly irreparable damage between the two parties. However, every cloud has its silver lining and one positive thing to have come from this less than amicable parting of the ways is the emergence of KK’s Priest.
Following up 2021’s debut album Sermons Of The Sinner, the last two years has been rather eventful for Downing and his new act. Not only performing their very first live shows including a hell-raising special guest slot at this year’s Bloodstock Open Air, Downing also reunited with his former bandmates, playing alongside Priest at their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last November.
Unfortunately, any hopes of a long term reunion seem a long way off at this point, so KK puts any such thoughts completely aside on second full length studio release, The Sinner Rides Again (Napalm Records), a record so uncompromisingly Metal that one listen will have grandma grabbing her battle jacket, sinking ten pints of lager and headbutting the nearest Oasis fan into oblivion.
The first of three songs to directly reference classic Priest titles, opener “Sons Of The Sentinel” is a towering inferno of riffs with KK and one-time JP screamer Tim “Ripper” Owens vying for the spotlight. Downing’s guitar tears through eardrums with delicious savagery while Owens simply can’t wait to deliver his opening, piercing scream before the song unleashes a simple but effective Accept-style chorus.
“Strike Of The Viper” follows, possessing a solid mid-paced groove and featuring some sterling rhythm section work from bass player Tony Newton and drummer Sean Elg before “Reap The Whirlwind” arrives on the scene, laying all to waste and bearing all the hallmarks of vintage Priest.
Acting as a continuation to the rip-roaring final track from 1990’s iconic Painkiller, “One More Shot At Glory” begins with a funereal guitar melody before charging in with a moody, authoritative punch, a simple but immediate chorus and one of the finest solos on the entire record.
“Hymn 66” emerges with a slow, purposeful crawl, a guitar lick not too far from “The Ripper” and plenty of multi-layered high pitched screams before the title track finds Downing and axe partner A J Mills delivering a thundering, brooding groove while Ripper displays some smoother, less wine-glass shattering tones.
After opening with the sound of church bells and chanting, “Keeper Of The Graves” soon throws off its cloak of clean guitar arpeggios with dynamic riffing and a spirit reminiscent of “A Touch of Evil”. “Pledge Your Souls” packs a venomous punch before the record reaches its conclusion with “Wash Away Your Sins”, the only complaint here being that the song is allowed to simply fade away rather than finish with the bang it deserves.
With Downing on top form and Ripper adding more variety to his vocal delivery, The Sinner Rides Again is a confident, polished and accomplished celebration of classic heavy metal with bags of attitude and even more riffs.
Buy the album here:
https://kkdowningofficial.com/
8 / 10
GARY ALCOCK