HOLY RAGE Guitarist Quits Due To 'Health Issues'

October 25, 2010

Due to "health issues," guitarist Chris Johnson has left HOLY RAGE, the U.K.-based band led by original JUDAS PRIEST frontman Al Atkins.

Commented the group: "Chris has appeared on three Al Atkins albums and has been friends with Al for many years. He also appears on all tracks on the new HOLY RAGE CD.

"Chris himself is fine and having treatment and still likes a beer, so he ain't that bad.

"Although Chris will no longer be playing for the foreseeable future, he will still be in charge of all band PR and the more technical side.

"We wish him well and a speedy recovery and [we are] sure we will go to a few bars soon."

HOLY RAGE's self-titled debut album is being released today (Monday, October 25) via Z Records.

A track from the CD, "Kingdom Of Hell", is available for streaming on the Z RecordsMySpace page.

HOLY RAGE recently 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.

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".

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