Together again, band rocks

Heavy metal gets a new dose of band's thunder.
Screaming for vengeance yet again, Judas Priest reemerged last year with its original lineup intact for what band members hope to be a long-lasting final chapter of a genre-defining career.
After a successful Ozzfest 2004 run proved the new wave of heavy metal band had plenty of "Living After Midnight" left in its arsenal, the real test came with the recent release of "Angel of Retribution," the group's first studio album with original lead singer Rob Halford in 15 years.
"We weren't exactly nervous but I guess we were quietly confident, excited and enthusiastic," said Judas Priest guitarist K.K. Downing calling from his home in Birmingham, England. "I guess we were all considering whether we could really make that follow-up album to [1990's] 'Painkiller' all of those years ago. And I think the first time I sort of riffed out [new track] 'Judas Rising,' I thought, 'Yeah. It's going to rock.'"
Ripper factor
What's interesting about Judas Priest is how it not only survived but in some fans' minds thrived during its non-Halford years. This was thanks in no small part to Northeast Ohio native and cover band singer Tim "Ripper" Owens who seamlessly stepped in as frontman. Downing doesn't mince words when it comes to the importance of his former band mate. "Without him, maybe we wouldn't be having this conversation," Downing said. "Maybe because it took us a good six years plus to actually find somebody that we thought could do the job. And we were very lucky to find Ripper because he kept us motivated and out there on tour, working and writing. He kept it all together, really. I think it's quite feasible that without Ripper, there wouldn't have been a Judas Priest today."
While Owens' tenure in Judas Priest resulted in two critically acclaimed, fan-approved studio albums -- 1997's "Jugulator" and 2001's "Demolition" -- don't expect to hear any of that material on stage anytime soon.
"Not at the moment," Downing said. "Not with the first year of the band being back together. The fact that Rob hasn't asked us if he could play the stuff that he did on his solo project, we'll call it a draw at the moment."
On the road
Today, Judas Priest is readying its second tour in as many years. The band's stateside jaunt opens May 30 at Blossom Music Center. Downing said the group is hoping to capitalize on last year's momentous greatest hits tour with a varied set list of new and old, including rarity tracks such as "I'm a Rocker" and "Hot Rockin'."
Downing said the relationship among band members remains on firm ground with talk of new projects in the not so distant future. A DVD concert release is planned for later this year, while next year could find the band back in the studio.
For now, the members of Judas Priest are concentrating on "Angel of Retribution" and its loyal fan base, which seems stronger than ever.
"I just think we're part of something that people have become used to," Downing said. "Lots of people in the world grew up with Judas Priest and that magical heavy rock period from the seventies. I just think it's in their veins as well as it's in ours. And just because you get to a certain age in life doesn't mean you better start listening to classical records. We're always going to be rocking out to the music that we know and love forever and a day."