By THOMAS S. ORWAT, JR.
Buffalo, NY- Rock music legend and ex Judas Priest guitarist KK Downing brought his new band KK’s Priest into Buffalo, NY for an unforgettable epic evening of heavy metal mastery. As the fifth stop on KK’s Priest’s first-ever North American tour, Buffalo stood poised for a night that many metalheads in the sold-out audience will certainly remember forever. This current tour, aptly named the “Return of the Sinner USA Tour 2024,” marks the triumphant return of the 72-year-old KK Downing to North American stages since his days touring with Judas Priest, which he officially quit in 2011.
Originally slated for the grandeur of Buffalo RiverWorks, a venue change was announced a few days before the show date. The venue shifted to the more intimate confines of the Town Ballroom, accommodating a mere 1000-person capacity. But this change was no setback; it was an invitation to intimacy. KK’s Priest now faced the challenge of squeezing their arena rock stage production into this smaller space, causing the jaws of enthusiastic metal fans to drop as the band hit the stage for the first song: “Hellfire Thunderbolt.”
In addition to the dynamic guitar hero KK Downing, KK’s Priest, formed in 2019, is a supergroup consisting of vocalist Tim “Ripper” Owens, who fronted Judas Priest from 1994 to 2001, guitarist A.J. Mills, bassist Tony Newton, and drummer Sean Elg. Together, they have released two incredible albums: “Sermons of the Sinner” (2021) and the triumphant follow-up, “The Sinner Rides Again” (2023). The reunion of Downing and Owens certainly has not been disappointing. Together this duo is currently creating some of the best music of their lives.
For this captivating performance, KK’s Priest delivered a 14-song set that seamlessly blended some of their hardest-hitting and most beloved tracks with KK Downing’s personal favorites from the iconic Judas Priest catalog. In his Judas Priest days, Downing consistently gravitated toward the heavier, darker compositions, infusing them with his signature guitar prowess.
Owens was zoned in all evening long with his glass shattering screams and multi-octave vocals. He certainly is one of the best in the metal genre today. He is an entertaining frontman who joked mid-way through the sweaty hot show, “whose idea was it for me to switch out of a leather vest into a leather jacket.”
K.K. Downing’s performance was nothing short of spectacular, unleashing thunderous riffs and impressive whammy bar-infused solos during “Victims of Change.” A.J. Mills, the co-lead guitarist, stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Downing. Together, they formed an unstoppable force, attacking with surgical precision, breathing life into the timeless Judas Priest classics, and setting the bar high with their original material.
Overall, KK’s Priest delivered a dazzling performance, combining outstanding musicianship, heavy-hitting songs, commanding stage presence, and a cool visual presentation. It was a metal spectacle that left fans craving more. For more on KK’s Priest, please visit http://www.kkspriest.com
Opening the show was the all-female Swiss metal band Burning Witches, featuring newly recruited Courtney Cox on lead guitar. The glam-metal band L.A. Guns, featuring the iconic vocalist Phil Lewis and guitar superstar Traci Guns, played the middle slot with a highly effective 45-minute set that featured classic tracks including: “The Ballad of Jayne,” “Over the Edge” “Sex Action” and “Rip & Tear.”
KK’s PRIEST setlist 03/13/2024
Hellfire Thunderbolt
One More Shot at Glory
The Ripper (Judas Priest cover)
Reap the Whirlwind
Night Crawler (Judas Priest cover)
Burn in Hell (Judas Priest cover)
Beyond the Realms of Death (Judas Priest cover)
Hell Patrol (Judas Priest cover)
Brothers of the Road
The Green Manalishi (With the Two Prong Crown) (Fleetwood Mac cover)
Breaking the Law (Judas Priest cover)
Victim of Changes (Judas Priest cover)
Encore:
Strike of the Viper
Raise Your Fists
Thomas S. Orwat Jr.
RockMusicStar.com 
Awesome job
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thank you, Bob!
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