Speaking to Classic Rock recently, K.K. Downing discussed various aspects of his career, including a review of his discography. When asked to name his least impressive recording with the band, Downing pointed to Judas Priest’s 1981 album ‘Point Of Entry.’ He also acknowledged that the album contains some admirable tracks. He said:
“Jesus, I’ll have to go with (1981 album) ‘Point Of Entry.’ But then again, there are some great songs on that one. That’s so, so hard to answer.”
When asked about the best album of his entire career, he did not choose an album by Judas Priest. Instead, he chose the last two albums of his own band, KK’s Priest, which he formed later. He said:
“No apologies, I must pick my albums by KK’s Priest: Sermons Of The Sinner [2021] and the new one, Sinner Rides Again. They’re both very, very kick-ass and I’m proud of them both. They epitomise everything about me and who I am. They continue my legacy (with Judas Priest) and carry the hallmarks of the past.”
K.K. Downing Declared He Will Never Return To Judas Priest
If you thought that K.K. Downing’s reappearance with Judas Priest in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022 would ease the bad blood between them, you were wrong. Because the situation is only getting worse. In a Metal Hammer interview in September, Downing revealed that he had expressed interest in returning to his former role but was met with a definitive refusal from the band, communicated through their lawyers. He stated:
“Before I started KK’s Priest, I asked if they’d consider me stepping back into my rightful place, because at one point they announced they were going out as a four-piece. I was expecting to be back in the band when there was an opening, or at least to be asked. But Glenn and Ian (Hill, bassist) wrote through their lawyers saying a flat no, which made no sense, as I was there first.”
He said that he played a part in Halford’s return to the band and expressed his disappointment that he was not considered for a comeback. He continued:
“Rob (Halford) left for 11 years so how does he have the right to say ‘I won’t consider you re-joining’ – I was instrumental in reinstating him into the band! Glenn wasn’t interested in having Rob back, he wanted to keep Ripper [Tim Owens, who replaced Rob Halford in Priest when the latter left in the 90s]. But I gave them one last chance, and I was like, ‘Are you sure? One day you might live to regret it.’ Let’s hope they don’t.”
And that is how K.K. Downing closed a chapter in Judas Priest.
