At the end of September 2023, the band of Kenneth DOWNING, the blond guitarist, who was formerly one of the founding members of JUDAS PRIEST alongside bassist Ian HILL, returned to us even stronger with The Sinner Rides Again, a second opus much more inspired, enjoyable and muscular than the first. Indeed, the British six-string player has, unlike the Sermons Of The Sinner era, surrounded himself with a new team of studio technicians. In addition to Anthony WALL and Tony NEWTON, who were already there before during the recordings as sound engineers, KK DOWNING enlisted the services of multi-instrumentalist Jacob HANSEN, member of PYRAMAZE and holder of an impressive track record as as a session guitarist and producer for numerous groups playing in diverse and varied styles. Exit, therefore, Ade EMSLEY who had worked somewhat in a hurry and botched the sound on Sermons Of The Sinner. As a result, the racy heavy metal of KK'S PRIEST has regained vigor, which it really lacked before, except live where the quintet (composed as you already know of KK DOWNING and AJ MILLS on guitars, Tony NEWTON on lead bass, Sean ELG on drums and, above all, Tim OWENS on vocals) radiated musically with an unstoppable acoustic power which, from now on, is also found on this second discographic brat.
On an artistic level, Sermons Of The Sinner groped a little from right to left, not really knowing where to head, even if it was very clear that KK DOWNING wanted to present to the public what had given it its nobility, that is to say a fairly classic heavy overall, but with some progressive touches which took the form of multiple pieces, the different parts of which sometimes had a little difficulty fitting into each other, like Lego with Duplo, so legion were the ideas of the conductor of KK'S PRIEST, hence this feeling, with hindsight, that we can feel of relatively clumsy intricacy, but not devoid of sincerity and freshness. The Sinner Rides Again seems, for its part, much more fluid and Jacob HANSEN's mixing highlights the nine tracks much more, where that of Ade EMSLEY was a tad messier. And, unlike its predecessor, The Sinner Rides Again, although around ten minutes shorter, manages to positively fill our ears. There is no outdated narrated introduction, the combo cuts straight to the heart of the matter with the monumental Sons Of The Sentinel. After a fleeting introduction, this first track really launches with the fill of Sean ELG, which recalls that of Scott TRAVIS on Painkiller, but less technical, and the high-pitched voice of Tim OWENS, which flies over the strong riffs and the lively tempi with a surprising ease, of which he alone possesses the secret. Notwithstanding the title of the song, which is another nod to his former gang, KK DOWNING manages here to give us a smile of satisfaction. Because the quality is there, finally perceptible.
From this tasty appetizer, it becomes very clear that the rest risks being of the same ilk. And, unsurprisingly, this is what happens throughout these two thousand four hundred seconds and dust. Which are a real auditory orgasm. At least, if you are a fan of the English wave of traditional metal. The Sinner Rides Again does not tolerate any unwelcome slowdown so that the rhythm almost never weakens, except on the prolegomena or the epilogues where the atmospheres take on their full meaning. Which brings more intensities to the anthems of KK'S PRIEST. And there, astonishment, it is the bite of the snake which takes you by the throat without warning. Strike Of The Viper is somewhat unparalleled in its violence on this already full-bodied puck. This is undoubtedly the track of choice on The Sinner Rides Again, with a mid-tempo interspersed with sudden accelerations and a thrashy solo which ideally accompanies the Ripper's litanies. This track should not have been named after this legless reptile, but rather that of the king cobra, because it spits its hostility in the face of the average person listening to it on their turntable. The following trio (Reap The Whirlwind, One More Shot At Glory, Hymn 66) is relatively less bellicose due to its more heightened melodicity, but nonetheless remains very spicy. Between a moralistic Reap The Whirlwind which reminds us that our actions, whatever they may be, always have consequences, to the fuzzy tunes of Riding On The Wind and a march a la Screaming For Vengeance, an epic One More Shot At Glory to wish which does not pick up at all where One Shot At Glory had laid down its arms, but rather stops where Burn In Hell sets off, and a solemn, falsely shy Hymn 66 which brings back to life the harmonic guitars and Freewheel-style syncopations Burning and Blood Stained, there is something for everyone.
Of course, the eponymous The Sinners Rides Again and its opening à la Judas Is Rising, Demonizer and Hellrider had to arrive. Here again, KK'S PRIEST is strong, because it mixes heaviness, virility and confidence while sprinkling everything with a pinch of melancholy and darkness unusual in the cheerful guy that is KK DOWNING. The serenades of Nostradamus are not very far away, especially Prophecy and Future Of Mankind, with a touch of Lochness, especially in the interludes. Which makes it particularly attractive. Particularly with regard to its bite, but with modulations in the voice which allow Ripper to bring more depth and personality, just like in the murky Keeper Of The Graves, whose beginnings can strongly recall the most Olympian titles by MANOWAR, mainly Achilles, Agony And Ecstasy In Eight Parts, an introduction which leads straight to something very classy but heard too much in the past, despite the requiem aspect which emanates from the "Gregorian" choirs and which adorns this antepenultimate track on one side Sign Of The Cross by proxy. Here again, this progressive launch leads to an agreed acceleration as well as elliptical and hectic scans. All falling on a crisp death knell. A heady lament, yet too predictable. Where Pledge Of Souls swims in troubled waters at the crossroads between the barcarolles of Guardians Of The Void by THE THREE TREMORS, the riff of the quatrains being paired with that of the end of 22 Acacia Avenue by IRON MAIDEN, Wash Away Your Sins is more reasoned due to its half power ballad, half atomic bomb form, it is the ideal musical poem to end a record with impeccable balance, like Hell On Earth of the Iron Maiden on Senjutsu.
Finally, KK DOWNING allowed his new group to find its cruising speed thanks to a few small changes. The call to an outside producer will have been beneficial, as will the timid forays into power or the rare and unconscious references to combos extrinsic to JUDAS PRIEST, such as IRON MAIDEN or MANOWAR. However, KK'S PRIEST persists in a form of chauvinism specific to metalheads which consists of being content to do what one knows. To do it expertly, of course, but to reproduce it ad vitam aeternam. Which does not always allow one to develop humanly and artistically. However, the horde, to surpass the master JUDAS PRIEST, should think about doing like their mentor: trudging out of their comfort zone and absorbing more unusual sounds in his music. JUDAS PRIEST dared to add doom, grunge or progressive elements on Invincible Shield. This would bring KK’S PRIEST more solidity and credibility with a fanbase that is already partly acquired by it. The Sinner Rides Again brilliantly demonstrates that the formation is capable of generating pieces of formidable efficiency, of unparalleled sharpness and emphatically brilliant, which lack at least this effect of surprise which could have piqued curiosity and reinforced fan interest. The Sinner Rides Again will have preserved the reputation of the troubadours, those of KK DOWNING and Tim OWENS in particular, who are workaholics and outstanding technicians. This second attempt, magnificently transformed, will also have raised many expectations for the next sound creation among the quintet's supporters. Now, what is actually going on with this puck? The Sinner Rides Again is a marvel that will win hearts, there is no doubt about that. However, as written earlier in this paragraph, it would be wise for KK'S PRIEST to have audacity and dare to take risks, calculated why not, but to extricate itself from the matrix to be completely reborn and become a serious challenger to JUDAS PRIEST. Down-tuning the guitars, venturing into Egyptian temples or dancing the polka, it's up to the club of five to see what needs to be done to bring a more radical shake-up, more versatility to give more consistency and spice, this with the aim of completely satisfying grumpy fans, lovers of more tropical sounds, such as the reggae arabesques of Nothing To Say by HELLOWEEN, or appreciating Homeric lengths like Rime Of The Ancient Mariner or even dusty chants a la Alexander The Great. Of course, there were some Odyssean languors at KK’S PRIEST (Return Of The Sentinel). However, the combo's followers have this ardent desire that the American-British community move towards less banal assemblages, more unusual embroideries. Variations in the way of building future buildings, like genius architects with crazy ideas. However, it is not rocket science to go on an adventure in the forges of Middle-earth and design Minas Tirith, Osgiliath or Dol Amroth, even Rivendell, Nogrod, Belegost, steel-making Khazad-Dûm . Kraks which would resist any criticism and which would be real delights to the ears of the listeners. Consequently, everything will depend on KK DOWNING's ability to question himself and unearth treasures of ingenuity to perpetuate the virtuosity of his band and give birth to new LPs as chunky as the two elders, however more serpentine. Nevertheless, The Sinner Rides Again is one of those successes that gives goosebumps as soon as the opening notes emerge from the speakers. Then, a wild whiplash-inducing headbanging ensues. This, lasting almost sixty-eight hundredths. The delays are only fleeting and the sprints more abundant. The Sinner Rides Again gets rid of the partial spleen of Sermons Of The Sinner to focus mainly on acerbity and stubbornness with the help of tenacious perseverance and a thirst to fight. It was this competitive spirit that he needed to establish his throne and his majesty in this very elitist ecosystem that is the world of heavy music. After a Sermons Of The Sinner which was a baptism of fire, The Sinner Rides Again, much more than a second sacrificial offering to the Gods of metal, is a confirmation that KK DOWNING should not have waited so long to make this leap of faith. the angel in the unknown after her turbulent divorce from her former colleagues. KK’S PRIEST is classy. And The Sinner Rides Again is so swag. It's not a British Steel or a Powerslave, but after all, we're knocking the ham. This is excellent spliced cam.
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Maybe they are too set in their ways, esp. KK. They do not want to take a risk by rotating songs, just to present a solid show? Anyway, I think they are doing pretty good. 10 min Sinner version was played etc.
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