ALBUM REVIEW: The Sinner Rides Again – KK’s Priest

In 2021, after nearly a decade away from music, K.K. Downing – once of JUDAS PRIEST fame and half of one of the greatest twin-guitar attacks in music history – returned with his debut solo album Sermons Of The Sinner and immediately raised eyebrows. It wasn’t a secret that his departure from his former outfit had been acrimonious, but when you come back with a band called KK’S PRIEST, pick former bandmate Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens as your vocalist and have a closing track entitled Return Of The Sentinel, one couldn’t help but conclude that Downing had more chips on his shoulder than the nearest Burger King.

That said, the album was a belting slab of classic heavy metal that proved Downing still had plenty left in his tank even as he neared the age of 70, which means sophomore album The Sinner Rides Again, released on Friday 29th September via Napalm Records, is highly anticipated. And yes, to call the album title ‘apt’ is an understatement – never has the phrase ‘picking up where you left off’ been more appropriate, a fact further emphasised with the opening track that is called – wait for it – Sons Of The Sentinel. Oh, and if further proof were needed that Downing continues to harbour a greater bitterness over his past than a standard lemon tree, track four is named One More Shot At Glory. Sigh.

Stylistically, the album follows suit as well, to the point that if Downing comes out in interviews post-release and confirms The Sinner Rides Again is a sister album to its predecessor, not one eyelid will bat. However, given the praise that Sermons… received, you can be sure this one will garner just as much, if not more. Strike Of The Viper is a gut punch, with pounding drums, a menacing vocal line from Owens and all over in less than two-and-a-half minutes. Hymn 66 deviates slightly with its choral notes and distorted voice, but the stomp and chug in the guitars are all the evidence you need at just how much of an impact Downing‘s playing had on the likes of a young METALLICA.

The title track shows Owens‘ impressive range to its full, with both scorching highs and menacing, gravelly lows, and Wash Away Your Sins, the final track present, boasts an acoustic opening that explodes into more riffs and a final rousing chorus to close the album in impressive style. All the while, Downing‘s solos are unmatched; since the last record, he has indeed crossed over to being a septuagenarian, but his dextrous fingers have lost none of their potency.

To be unashamedly British about KK’S PRIEST, they are very much a Ronseal band; you know what you’re going to get, and it’s likely going to be very good. Both of these sentiments are correct about The Sinner Rides Again: this is no frills, all out heavy metal that will make you grow pyramid studs from every orifice and attach leather straps to your wrists within the space of a single listen. There’s a new JUDAS PRIEST record coming in 2024; it’ll have to be pretty special to top this.

Rating: 8/10

The Sinner Rides Again is set for release on September 29th via Napalm Records.

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