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Judas Priest - K.K. Downing Leaves The Band
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Judas Priest have released a letter stating that original guitarist K.K. Downing has formally retired from the band, and will not join the band on the upcoming Epitaph World Tour. The band respect his decision and wish him well.

Replacing K.K. on the tour will be 31 year old British guitar player Richie Faulkner (Lauren Harris, Dirty Deeds), who has apparently blended into the band perfectly and will set the stage on fire.

The upcoming "Epitaph" tour will include songs from every Judas Priest studio album, including some the band have never performed before. It will be "heavy metal at its best complete with lasers, lights, bikes and hellfire!!"

The band also have another album due out next year.


[Also thanks to Snbn for sending this in!]

Source: judaspriest.com
Band profile: Judas Priest
Posted: 20.04.2011 by Baz Anderson


Comments page 2 / 2

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Comments: 49   [ 1 ignored ]   Visited by: 308 users
21.04.2011 - 14:56
Troy Killjoy
perfunctionist
staff
Written by Guest on 21.04.2011 at 14:35

If the younger bands are really that good, they'll be recognized regardless of the old bands.

Not agreeing with RK about JP being a shite band, but your comment isn't any more agreeable. While in theory it would be awesome of talented bands received worldwide recognition for their talent alone, it simply isn't true. There's a reason they call it "the underground".

The music scene isn't a meritocracy.
----
"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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22.04.2011 - 00:26
LoudBoy26
Written by Kingface on 21.04.2011 at 12:36

After all those years, this is how KK Downing and Priest depart. Not exactly the stuff of fantasy is it?

What Did You Want Him To do For You To Be Happy? Die- Your A Dick
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22.04.2011 - 00:57
RavenKing
Written by Troy Killjoy on 21.04.2011 at 14:56

While in theory it would be awesome of talented bands received worldwide recognition for their talent alone, it simply isn't true. There's a reason they call it "the underground".

The music scene isn't a meritocracy.


Indeed. The reason old bands are so much well-known is not because they're better than new bands. It's purely a matter of circumstances. They just happen to have been there at the right time and place.
Add to this that the old traditional Heavy Metal is much more easily accessible than most of the stuff we have today.

Also, I never said Judas Priest is a shit band. They released many good albums. However, it was ages ago. The lack of input and poor quality of it in the last two decades made Priest a worthless old band.
----
They shake your hand and they smile and they buy you a drink
They say we'll be your friends we'll stick with you till the end
But everybody's only looking out for themselves
And you say who can you trust I'll tell you nobody
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22.04.2011 - 00:58
Daggon
Underpaid M.D.
Oh man, I'm glad I saw them playing together a couple of years ago, I wanted to see them playing here in Mexico one more time, but it won't be happening now. This is really, really sad, but wasn't totally unexpected considering all the years they have been playing...
----
"Les vers savent qu'ils n'ont pas d'ailes, c'est pour cela qu'ils se cachent sous terre"
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22.04.2011 - 01:58
Troy Killjoy
perfunctionist
staff
Written by RavenKing on 22.04.2011 at 00:57

Also, I never said Judas Priest is a shit band. They released many good albums. However, it was ages ago. The lack of input and poor quality of it in the last two decades made Priest a worthless old band.

My bad - I misinterpreted that part.

Written by LoudBoy26 on 22.04.2011 at 00:26

Written by Kingface on 21.04.2011 at 12:36

After all those years, this is how KK Downing and Priest depart. Not exactly the stuff of fantasy is it?

What Did You Want Him To do For You To Be Happy? Die- Your A Dick

Really? "Die, you're a dick" because he thinks such a sudden ending to an incredibly long career isn't what he would have expected? You might want to take a breather man.
----
"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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22.04.2011 - 02:39
RavenKing
Written by LoudBoy26 on 22.04.2011 at 00:26

Written by Kingface on 21.04.2011 at 12:36

After all those years, this is how KK Downing and Priest depart. Not exactly the stuff of fantasy is it?

What Did You Want Him To do For You To Be Happy? Die- Your A Dick


Sounds like the typical butthurt fanboy.
----
They shake your hand and they smile and they buy you a drink
They say we'll be your friends we'll stick with you till the end
But everybody's only looking out for themselves
And you say who can you trust I'll tell you nobody
Loading...
22.04.2011 - 13:05
Mountain King
K i K o
Written by RavenKing on 22.04.2011 at 00:57

Written by Troy Killjoy on 21.04.2011 at 14:56

While in theory it would be awesome of talented bands received worldwide recognition for their talent alone, it simply isn't true. There's a reason they call it "the underground".

The music scene isn't a meritocracy.


Indeed. The reason old bands are so much well-known is not because they're better than new bands. It's purely a matter of circumstances. They just happen to have been there at the right time and place.
Add to this that the old traditional Heavy Metal is much more easily accessible than most of the stuff we have today.

Also, I never said Judas Priest is a shit band. They released many good albums. However, it was ages ago. The lack of input and poor quality of it in the last two decades made Priest a worthless old band.


Your opinion doesn't really mean anything. When u have legends, and they have proven themselves over and over again, u as an average person mean nothing with your comments. If for example i don't like John Petrucci, well i can't say he's worthless and shit because that'll make a fool out of me . For me Priest released great albums. The last 2 with Halford were really good. And if ur ever curious, try getting the Rising In The East DVD (2007) and u can still see that Priest hold one of the best metal concerts around ...
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22.04.2011 - 13:32
O Sinistron
Hopeless Sinner
Written by Valentin B on 20.04.2011 at 20:48

It's sad to hear about KK, who's actually a founding member of Priest along with Ian, but then again they're childhood friends, i guess they know what's best. i'm glad it wasn't Glen though, as he is the main songwriter of the band. on the other hand, there is precisely one song credited just to KK in all of Priest's discography.

and i hope to see this Faulkner guy infuse some youth and energy into the band's live performance, cause unfortunately except maybe for Rob, they're kinda static on stage.

Don't say that dude!
Glen on sstage is just terrific! I've had the pleasure to watch them live in their Nostradanus tour, and Glen Tipton has the energy too!

Nevertheless, the departure of KK is a sad news for all Priest fans! Sad, sad...
----
Last.fm
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22.04.2011 - 15:27
RavenKing
Written by Mountain King on 22.04.2011 at 13:05

Your opinion doesn't really mean anything. When u have legends, and they have proven themselves over and over again, u as an average person mean nothing with your comments.


Legends or not, or whatever, we all have our personal opinion and no one will prevent me to tell mine.
Nothing is holy in this world, so everything can be analized and criticized.

Of course, our comments won't change the world but it doesn't mean in any way that we should keep them for ourselves.
Don't put anyone on a pedestal. They're only humans, you know. When they go to the toilet, it stinks too.
Funny to see how I'm often perceived as an elitist, while I don't adhere at all to the form of elitism you display here.
We're all humans in the end. Just a bunch of meatbags on legs.
----
They shake your hand and they smile and they buy you a drink
They say we'll be your friends we'll stick with you till the end
But everybody's only looking out for themselves
And you say who can you trust I'll tell you nobody
Loading...
22.04.2011 - 16:13
Troy Killjoy
perfunctionist
staff
Written by RavenKing on 22.04.2011 at 15:27

Of course, our comments won't change the world but it doesn't mean in any way that we should keep them for ourselves.

Especially since this is a forum.

Even still, if I were face-to-face with any members of the band, and we were somehow discussing their musical output since Painkiller (which, despite sounding awesome when listening for sheer "fun" heavy metal, a lot of the songs have the exact same structure and the innovation factor is about a 0), I'd have no problem telling them that I personally find a lot of their material to be utterly boring.

At the end of the day these guys are guys. They may be iconic, but they are by no means worth silencing your voice for. Nobody is.
----
"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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22.04.2011 - 16:22
RavenKing
Written by Troy Killjoy on 22.04.2011 at 16:13

At the end of the day these guys are guys. They may be iconic, but they are by no means worth silencing your voice for. Nobody is.


That's exactly what I meant, though I told it in a more coarse and sharp way. You said the same but with better words. More elegantly, I would say.
----
They shake your hand and they smile and they buy you a drink
They say we'll be your friends we'll stick with you till the end
But everybody's only looking out for themselves
And you say who can you trust I'll tell you nobody
Loading...
22.04.2011 - 16:28
Troy Killjoy
perfunctionist
staff
Written by RavenKing on 22.04.2011 at 16:22

That's exactly what I meant, though I told it in a more coarse and sharp way. You said the same but with better words. More elegantly, I would say.

Well you do have a reputation to uphold. Plus, I'm a Staff member...model citizen and whatnot.
----
"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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22.04.2011 - 19:12
Mountain King
K i K o
Written by Troy Killjoy on 22.04.2011 at 16:13

Written by RavenKing on 22.04.2011 at 15:27

Of course, our comments won't change the world but it doesn't mean in any way that we should keep them for ourselves.

Especially since this is a forum.

Even still, if I were face-to-face with any members of the band, and we were somehow discussing their musical output since Painkiller (which, despite sounding awesome when listening for sheer "fun" heavy metal, a lot of the songs have the exact same structure and the innovation factor is about a 0), I'd have no problem telling them that I personally find a lot of their material to be utterly boring.

At the end of the day these guys are guys. They may be iconic, but they are by no means worth silencing your voice for. Nobody is.


Nobody said anything about silencing one's voice, but i think these guys deserve the biggest respect out of the 70's hard rock/heavy metal bands. No other band has been able to stay that consistent and innovative over the years (I would add Scorpions too). And i wonder how the songs on Nostradamus have the same structure as songs from Ram It Down or Painkiller for example?
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22.04.2011 - 19:23
Troy Killjoy
perfunctionist
staff
Written by Mountain King on 22.04.2011 at 19:12

Written by Troy Killjoy on 22.04.2011 at 16:13

...since Painkiller (which, despite sounding awesome when listening for sheer "fun" heavy metal, a lot of the songs have the exact same structure and the innovation factor is about a 0), I'd have no problem telling them that I personally find a lot of their material to be utterly boring.

And i wonder how the songs on Nostradamus have the same structure as songs from Ram It Down or Painkiller for example?

If you read the sentence carefully, you'll realize your comment is misguided.

I never said Nostradamus has the same structures as Ram it Down or Painkiller. I said Painkiller isn't innovative and features songs with the same structures. What I said about Nostradamus (being a post-Painkiller release) is that it's utterly boring.
----
"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
Loading...
22.04.2011 - 19:55
RavenKing
Written by Troy Killjoy on 22.04.2011 at 19:23

I never said Nostradamus has the same structures as Ram it Down or Painkiller. I said Painkiller isn't innovative and features songs with the same structures. What I said about Nostradamus (being a post-Painkiller release) is that it's utterly boring.


The songs indeed sound pretty much all the same, with only a few rare exceptions. And the album drags on and on.

P.S. Not talking of Painkiller but of Nostradamus.
----
They shake your hand and they smile and they buy you a drink
They say we'll be your friends we'll stick with you till the end
But everybody's only looking out for themselves
And you say who can you trust I'll tell you nobody
Loading...
22.04.2011 - 20:51
Mountain King
K i K o
Written by Troy Killjoy on 22.04.2011 at 19:23

Written by Mountain King on 22.04.2011 at 19:12

Written by Troy Killjoy on 22.04.2011 at 16:13

...since Painkiller (which, despite sounding awesome when listening for sheer "fun" heavy metal, a lot of the songs have the exact same structure and the innovation factor is about a 0), I'd have no problem telling them that I personally find a lot of their material to be utterly boring.

And i wonder how the songs on Nostradamus have the same structure as songs from Ram It Down or Painkiller for example?

If you read the sentence carefully, you'll realize your comment is misguided.

I never said Nostradamus has the same structures as Ram it Down or Painkiller. I said Painkiller isn't innovative and features songs with the same structures. What I said about Nostradamus (being a post-Painkiller release) is that it's utterly boring.


Oh so Painkiller isn't innovative? Wow that's even worse but hey let's end it here cause I'm not looking to convince anyone...
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23.04.2011 - 01:40
Symmachus
It's pretty surprising that he left the band after all thouse years. After being in the band since the late 1960s and being a founding member, that is definitely significant. I wish the best to Judas Priest and KK Downing, as they have parted ways.
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23.04.2011 - 07:55
SatyriconChick
This is so shocking and disappointing. I've never seen Priest live, but I've been hoping to catch them on this farewell tour. Damn, it'll suck not seeing K.K. with them. What a shame that things went this way.
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29.04.2011 - 18:49
Kingface
Written by LoudBoy26 on 22.04.2011 at 00:26

Written by Kingface on 21.04.2011 at 12:36

After all those years, this is how KK Downing and Priest depart. Not exactly the stuff of fantasy is it?

What Did You Want Him To do For You To Be Happy? Die- Your A Dick


I'm going to pretend I don't see the last four words of your post and just let you know that all I was trying to say is that it's a surprising and seemingly abrupt departure.
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