KK’s Priest – Sermons of the Sinner Review

K.K. Downing can’t win. Instead of reveling in the legacy of the band he founded, he remains alienated from Judas Priest. After nearly a decade of estrangement, Downing has returned to the music scene with KK’s Priest. Unfortunately, numerous setbacks have blunted momentum. Sermons of the Sinner is complete, but its potential to restart a stalled career may never be fully realized.

The origin of KK’s Priest took place at a 2019 gig. Dave Ellefson assumed bass duties and that one-off show was billed as “MegaPriest.” With Ripper on vocals and LES BINKS on drums, the concert was a unique reunion of different Priest eras. Naturally the occasion allowed for both Ripper and Binks era songs to be revisited. Grossly underrepresented classics like “Before the Dawn” and “Take on the World” were FINALLY given proper airings.

Immediately, the fan base clamored for Downing’s triumphant stage return to become a permanent project. K.K., clearly energized, agreed. Downing soon announced the creation of KK’s Priest. Although Ellefson would be returning to Megadeth, Ripper and Binks would remain part of the group, thereby giving the new act legitimacy as a viable alternative to the “official” Judas Priest.

Stained Class and Hell Bent for Leather rank among my favorite Judas Priest records. The thought of witnessing Les Binks launch into “Exciter” was enough to qualify KK’s Priest as a dream band. Furthermore, the Jugulator and Demolition tours remain treasured concert memories. Both outings left me impressed over Ripper’s ability to fill the void left by Rob Halford. There is no doubt in my mind that Ripper is THE vocalist of choice for Downing’s new project. Add in the drummer link to 70’s Priest and this was a band that hardcore Judas Priest fans would be truly excited for.

The future seemed bright for K.K. Downing. Just as he stood poised to reclaim his throne, the setbacks began. As excitement spread through the metal community over KK’s Priest, COVID brought everything to a grinding halt. Would this metal supergroup ever materialize and would anyone care in a world ravished by a deadly pandemic?

Naturally the world slowly started to resume a semblance of normalcy. Businesses reopened and bands cautiously began rehearsing. Despite the loss of momentum, KK’s Priest recorded their album and unleashed their debut single, “Hellfire Thunderbolt.” A video was released, yet instead of creating excitement, the song angered and alienated a vocal part of the fanbase. Rather than discuss the video on the merit of musical value, people asked, “Who is that drummer?” Yet ANOTHER setback had reared its head, further derailing momentum.

Les Binks made KK’s new band special. He was a direct link to a revered era in Judas Priest history that many never experienced first-hand. There had been no press release or ANY word about the key members leaving. The absence of Binks was profoundly disappointing and one couldn’t help but feel misled.

Was the line-up change mishandled? Binks undoubtedly stirred up excitement with old-school Priest fans. It’s no wonder that people felt a range of emotions from disappointment to resentment. This band was suddenly NOT the mini-reunion of 70’s Priest that was previously advertised. A band of competent musicians, yes, but completely void of the fuzzy, nostalgic links to the glory days of vintage Judas Priest.

Of course, Binks had good reason for stepping down and was kind enough to participate in interviews to describe his situation. Still, his loss was yet another blow to K.K.’s momentum.

The pandemic significantly delayed the album but eventually Sermons of the Sinner was given a release date. Pre-orders went up months in advance and I was quick to secure an autographed copy. When release day finally dawned upon the metal world, there was no record. I waited. Days passed. Weeks passed. A solid month had gone by and there was STILL no copy. K.K. Downing had just come face to face with yet ANOTHER setback……pandemic supply chain problems.

It takes a certain type of person to pre-order a record, particularly in the age of streaming. These were Downing’s biggest fans. The people that will turn up on tour, buy merchandise, even travel to see a gig. Now, the key people integral to his success were essentially barred from hearing the album, despite ordering months in advance. Sure, anyone can pull up a You Tube video but aging fans as myself prefer to wait and experience a widely anticipated album properly. Orders were eventually distributed, but again, momentum had been severely blunted.

When I FINALLY got to hear KK’s Priest, that initial excitement I once felt had been greatly diminished. Even when I opened my record I was met with disappointment. The actual album cover wasn’t autographed as I expected. Instead, a separate insert wore the signature of K.K. Downing. This wasn’t made clear in the online description, and while unimportant, simply felt like ANOTHER blunder in what seemed to be a cursed project.

Was Sermons of the Sinner worth the wait? I guess. It’s a competent album of Judas Priest style power metal. Is it an instant classic of timeless epics? Maybe time will enhance our appreciation for KK’s rebirth but, honestly, Sermons of the Sinner is no Sad Wings of Destiny or Hell Bent for Leather. No expects a musicians in the final stages of his career to match youthful achievements of inspiration. Assessing KK’s Priest is a matter of holding realistic expectations.

Much of Sermons of the Sinner is…well…cliché. Lyrically, the record is essentially a Spinal Tap like jaunt through assorted metal tropes. Whether it’s the Sermons of the Sinner “preaching metal and steel” or imploring concert goers to “Raise your fists in the air,” it’s all a little silly. The line “We’re brothers of the road and we rock, ROCK,” made me chuckle. They say write what you know and clearly Downing has taken that advice to heart.

To be fair, Judas Priest lyrics have always been cheesy. Perhaps its an adult perspective that make these tired concepts seem laughable. Still, a song like “Return of the Sentinel” is exactly the nostalgic bent that was originally promised. Cheesy, yes, but it evokes memories of the classic track from Defenders of the Faith and amounts to KK’s Priest epic track.

Sermons of the Sinner already feels like a distant memory. Will the tour ever materialize? Will that tour have the same impact after an eternity of time elapsed? Will the project continue or become relegated to a pandemic casualty robbed of promise? Naturally only time will tell but the metal faithful will surely continue supporting this man of heavy metal royalty.