There’s nothing like holding a grudge to fuel creativity. KK Downing – who, let’s remember, actually quit Judas Priest of his own volition in favour of a life running golf clubs and auctioning guitars – has been quite sure over the last few years that he’s a wronged party in his quest to be reinstated as a Priest axeman. Would there be a KK’s Priest without that animus? Of course not. Should we be pleased that circumstances have ended with us clutching a second KKP album because those that move in the shadows at Priest HQ have remained unmoved by Ken’s blandishments? Undoubtedly we should. And I’ll explain why presently.

All of this drama notwithstanding,  since Downing left and Glenn Tipton succumbed to a horrific, life-wrecking illness, I would suggest that the post of ‘Judas Priest’ guitarist, currently held by Richie Faulkner and Andy Sneap – who the band tried to oust before a US tour before fans turned nasty at the prospect of being asked to shell out hard-earned to see a ‘one axe affair’ – doesn’t hold the cachet it once did, and whilst Priest bumble about playing enormofests like Power Trip, KK and chums have gone about creating a grass roots metal band that kicks substantial amounts of arse whilst still operating at a level accessible to any fans that want to take part. Ken’s not messing about with Dolly, or Babymetal, whoever they are, but he is continuing to work with the Ripper, and quite frankly at this point I know which marvellous team-up I’m more interested in seeing.

Tim Owens is who I mean when I refer to ‘the Ripper’ – but you knew that, right? – and it has to be said that some of his work on The Sinner Rides Again is incendiary. Whilst he’s spent years diluting the magic behind his undoubted talent by hiring his larynx out to the highest bidder like some sort of heavy metal Air Tasker, there’s no doubt that when Tim is summoned by Ken something clicks. He automatically ups his game, and all over this album Owens gives an absolutely storming performance, reminding anyone with ears to hear just what an important vocal presence he is. I’d go as far to say that his singing on this album’s title track is as good as anything he’s done since the momentous Cathedral Spires. Or one of those now discredited things he did with Iced Earth. Whatever, it’s very good…

And the rest of the band are no slouches. AJ Mills is a great guitar foil, as anyone who has seen the band live will attest, and the same goes for Sean Elg in his role as ‘Scott Travis‘ whilst Tony Newton, who may bounce around the stage like a bargain basement Steve Harris, still contributes more in one song here than the stoic Ian Hill has managed in a lifetime over at HQ. Everywhere you look, KKP currently have more to offer than JP, and I don’t deliver that verdict lightly – but after listening to ‘ripping’ tracks like Keeper of the Graves and, of course, opening track Sons of the Sentinel, how could any sane human arrive at any other conclusion? I for one am ready to pledge my soul to KK’S Priest, and I think many more will follow my lead once they’ve heard this banger of an album…

The Sinner Rides Again releases on September 29th.