JUDAS PRIEST Guitarist Isn't Bothered By Illegal Downloads Of New Album

January 31, 2005

JUDAS PRIEST guitarist K.K. Downing recently spoke to Blistering.com about the group's new album, "Angel of Retribution", and illegal music downloading, among other topics. A couple of excerpts from the interview follow:

Blistering.com: Do you have same feeling upon the completion of "Angel…" as you did for "British Steel" or "Screaming For Vengeance"?

K.K. Downing: "Yeah, a bit of anticipation, a bit of nervousness. It's like giving birth but you can't see the baby (laughs). I kinda have a feeling…. I hope it's a record that restores everyone's faith and confidence in not just us, but heavy metal as well. Timing is very important. We've said that our whole careers. We've felt we've had records that we really felt would be the big one, but it didn't happen. It's funny though, I think when we've had records like 'Screaming…' or 'British Steel', I just think it's timing. I think now is the time really, I think it will all be too late. There aren't that many of us left standing."

Blistering.com: How does (producer) Roy Z compare to the other producers you have worked with?

K.K. Downing: "He was great to work with. He was Rob's guy because he's been a PRIEST fan for a while. He's a diehard PRIEST fan and he's a great guitar player. He's a hell of a guy, such a modest, cool dude. To be honest, I hope the record is successful if nothing else just for him because he worked really hard and we was dedicated."

Blistering.com: The record label to combat all of the Internet downloading is heavily guarding the new album. What is your stance on this?

K.K. Downing: "Not really, but the release date is always the release date. I know for a fact when I was a fan, I would get the buildup and it was great to hit the record store and run home with the vinyl and just have a blast. As far as we are concerned, we want to release the record, hit the road, and have it all be exciting. Not to have the energy and excitement diffused, its all the better really. As a person, I don't know too much about downloading, but I know the fans want to go to the record shop and get the article, the one the band wanted you to have in your hands. I can't say that I'm really that bothered if people get the thing for free over the Internet."

Read K.K. Downing's entire interview with Blistering.com at this location.

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