HOLY RAGE Announces Lineup Changes

HOLY RAGE, the U.K. metal band featuring original JUDAS PRIEST vocalist Al Atkins, has announced the addition of guitarist Vince O'Regan (ex-BOB CATLEY, EDEN) and bassist/vocalist Steve Mercy (ex-ABIGAIL'S MERCY) to the group's ranks.

Commented guitarist Chris Johnson: "At the begining of the year, Al began writing some new songs with the help and ideas of two other writers for the HOLY RAGE debut album and shocked us all by announcing that he wanted both of them to play a part in the band too.

"After listening to the new songs that they had written (which, by the way, are awesome),and rehearsing together for the first time, it really did sound like a killer idea and only not are we sounding even heavier, but also it seems like we have played together forever.

"We would also want to wish Scott Dallow all the best for the future and wish to thank him for all his input and contribution while playing for us and by telling everyone that there is no ill feeling with him leaving the band and we will all be having a beer or two again with him very soon."

HOLY RAGE's current lineup:

* Al Atkins (vocals)
* Chris Johnson (guitar)
* Mick Hales (drums)
* Vince O'Regan (ex-BOB CATLEY, EDEN) (guitar)
* Steve Mercy (ex-ABIGAIL'S MERCY) (bass, vocals)

As previously reported, HOLY RAGE is putting together a video for the song "A Void to Avoid", featuring a special guest appearance by Bernie Tormé, former guitarist for GILLAN, OZZY OSBOURNE, ATOMIC ROOSTER, and DESPERADO, and current guitarist/vocalist for rock and roll power trio GUY-MCCOY-TORME (GMT).

"A Void to Avoid", along with "Give Them Hell", are bonus tracks on the global release of Al's 2007 solo album "Demon Deceiver" (re-titled "Demon Deceiver... Plus"),which is available worldwide right now, but will also be featured on the new HOLY RAGE album.

Atkins is the co-writer of several PRIEST songs which are included on the band's first two albums "Rocka Rolla" and "Sad Wings of Destiny", both of which eventually went gold. Atkins co-penned the heavy metal classic "Victim of Changes", which was a combination of Rob Halford's song "Red Light Lady" and Atkins' own "Whiskey Woman". He also co-wrote "Winter", "Never Satisfied", "Dreamer Deceiver" and "Caviar and Meths".

In 1989 Atkins released his debut solo album, "Judgement Day", to great acclaim. But it was "Heavy Thoughts" and "Victim of Changes" (the latter being his collaborative album with ex-JUDAS PRIEST drummer Dave Holland) that brought him strong sales and critical acclaim around the world. Recently Atkins formed HOLY RAGE and has shared the bill with ex-RAINBOW/MSG singer Graham Bonnet in California.

JUDAS PRIEST bassist Ian Hill penned the foreword to Al Atkins's autobiography, titled "Dawn of the Metal Gods: My Life in Judas Priest and Heavy Metal". The book, which was written with Neil Daniels — a freelance rock writer and heavy metal fan who befriended Atkins during the writing of Neil's book "The Story of Judas Priest: Defenders of the Faith" (Omnibus Press) — was released last spring via Iron Pages.