What?!! tell me this is not true!

I thought they weren't releasing new albums.

Well, I guess I'll have no KK in Lisbon this summer.

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.

It's a shame, but he was either going to leave the band or eventually die in it - we should just be happy it isn't the latter.

What the hell, Before their final world tour!? Guess this means he won't be on the new album either. Wow that'll be weird :/

Written by BloodTears on 20.04.2011 at 20:47

I thought they weren't releasing new albums.

Well, I guess I'll have no KK in Lisbon this summer.

As won't the many of us seeing then in Wacken. Too bad that. Hopefully they find somebody to step in and don't cancel the shows altogether.

Written by corrupt on 20.04.2011 at 20:49

Written by BloodTears on 20.04.2011 at 20:47

I thought they weren't releasing new albums.

Well, I guess I'll have no KK in Lisbon this summer.

As won't the many of us seeing then in Wacken. Too bad that. Hopefully they find somebody to step in and don't cancel the shows altogether.

According to the statement, that won't be a problem. It doesn't seem like they'll cancel shows because of it.

But I would've liked to see the whole band for one last time.

I was going to post this news earlier, but Id already been beaten to it. lol

I actually wouldn't have been surprised had it been Glenn retiring, what with his health problems in recent years. With just one final tour and album left, Im a bit shocked that KK has decided to leave now. Ah well... it just makes me treasure even more the moment when he performed the "Sinner" solo right over me when I saw them in 2009.

Im very, very sceptical about this new young guy being brought in, but then again, they replaced Rob with Ripper who did an amazing job, so I'll hold off my judgement till I actually see him in action with Priest. Still, this is very sad news...

All Good Things Come To A End, KK Was The Best At What he Did. He Will Be Missed. PRIEST RULES

On the discussion page on the Judas Priest website, there is rumors that it is NOT due to health problems, which, in case, is very good news. Although I am sad that I won't be able to see one of my greatest heroes - maybe the greatest - one last time, I have a good feeling about the upcoming tour and album! I think Halford and Tipton is capable of composing some really hard-hitting, fist-pumping heavy metal, and I believe Richie Faulkner can bring in some youthful, rebellious rock'n'roll energy to the songs! I look forward to this!

I wish both K.K. and the band all the best for the future.

I'll give this guy a chance. I highly doubt it's going to change their sound at all. It might be nice having a younger guy with them, but it sure does suck that KK has left, thus a third of the writing force.

Jeez, oldtimer couldn't even wait to retire 'til the Farewell tour was over... Exactly the kind of behavior one would expect from a guy called K.K.

Written by BloodTears on 20.04.2011 at 20:47

I thought they weren't releasing new albums.

Well, I guess I'll have no KK in Lisbon this summer.

Ainda por cima já comprei o bilhete...(translation: and the worst is that i've already bought the ticket)

WTF...? I'm going to see Priest at Sauna Open Air, but it won't be the same without KK... I really wonder why he quit just now... Priest has been his life work and still he's going to sit out the farewell tour! So again: WTF...?

I have a feeling there in end onlyt Rob can be JP, others be young men playing
Sad news but JP best years are in past, gigs well even there is performece Rob's voice is why we like it and go , guitars can be replaiced

Wtf...

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. GADDAMNIT. I've always preferred KK over Tipton. Oh well, it's their farewell tour, not as big of a deal. And I'm assuming this means he wont be on the 2012 release?

Written by Bad English on 20.04.2011 at 21:56

I have a feeling there in end onlyt Rob can be JP, others be young men playing
Sad news but JP best years are in past, gigs well even there is performece Rob's voice is why we like it and go , guitars can be replaiced

it wouldn't be the same magic. it would be like watching a tribute band with Rob handling the vocals. there's something great about the tone, the playing style, having them on stage playing those kickass riffs and solos i've banged my head and played air guitar to for so long.

Written by LeChron James on 20.04.2011 at 22:46
And I'm assuming this means he wont be on the 2012 release?

I'm pretty sure he won't be playing on the album, no. But Priest have been writing material for it since at least December last year, so there is a chance that some stuff that KK wrote could end up on the album. It does seem to be a complete mystery why he has left the band now, especially if health reasons had nothing to do with it. With only one more tour left in Priest's career, I'm perplexed at why he has decided to quit now. The lack of an official reason given makes me think there's more to this announcement than meets the eye. Though I am hoping that it's simply he doesnt have the energy for it anymore.

:S

Those old Metal bands really start to fall apart.
Not that I care though, to be honest.

Anyway, time has come for the Metal scene to clean the slate. The departure of worthless old bands could well give opportunity for younger and better bands to get enough recognition to be able to carry on. Everything has to come to an end eventually and many old bands are, in fact, finished since many years ago. The countdown has begun. The Metal scene is about to change radically. Hopefully for the best.
Of course, many will find it sad. A feeling I absolutely don't share, as I see it as a new hope, an opportunity for new great bands to rise.
Also, Imo, the scene has been way too stale since the millenia. A renewal can only be welcome.

Dissapointing. I've never seen Priest live, and will now never be able to see the classic lineup. Not to mention that K.K and Glen are my favorite guitar duo. Oh well, wish K.K and Priest the best of luck.

No! I love KK Downing so much. Such a great guitarist and inspiration. His solos can't be played by anyone else! I wanted to see the classic line-up before they stopped touring. This is bad news for me, and im not happy with it at all. I wish KK the best though...

WHAT - THE - FUCK !!!

Damn, it really IS the end of the world...ugh. /facepalm

Erm..wasn't this band supposed to be breaking up..taking a hiatus..calling it quits..or something?

So this is the end of metal's greatest lead guitar pairing. I wonder who the next best pair are?
My money would be on either the Amott brothers or King and Hannermann (i'm not sure how to spell it, the guy from Slayer with the spider bite). Can't count Iron Maiden's guitarists cause there's 3 of them.

I can't believe. Is a big surprise

Written by [user id=104220] on 20.04.2011 at 21:45

Written by BloodTears on 20.04.2011 at 20:47

I thought they weren't releasing new albums.

Well, I guess I'll have no KK in Lisbon this summer.

Ainda por cima já comprei o bilhete...:(

You shouldn't speak Portuguese on the forums. Be careful with that

I bought my ticket already as well.

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

Written by RavenKing on 21.04.2011 at 01:17

Those old Metal bands really start to fall apart.
Not that I care though, to be honest.

Anyway, time has come for the Metal scene to clean the slate. The departure of worthless old bands could well give opportunity for younger and better bands to get enough recognition to be able to carry on. Everything has to come to an end eventually and many old bands are, in fact, finished since many years ago. The countdown has begun. The Metal scene is about to change radically. Hopefully for the best.
Of course, many will find it sad. A feeling I absolutely don't share, as I see it as a new hope, an opportunity for new great bands to rise.
Also, Imo, the scene has been way too stale since the millenia. A renewal can only be welcome.

Judas Priest is a worthless old band? Bullshit.

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