KK’s Priest Unveil First Song, “Hellfire Thunderbolt”

The results of yesterday’s poll asking whether or not you’re excited for KK’s Priest — the new band featuring former Judas Priest guitarist K.K. Downing — are still trickling in. But this much is clear: plenty of you are at least somewhat curious to hear this stuff, with about 56% of respondents expressing either measured or extreme optimism for the project.

No longer do you have to guess! Today marks the arrival of “Hellfire Thunderbolt,” the debut single from KK’s Priest, along with an appropriately hellfire-ish and thunderbolt-y music video.

The song’s got riffs, no doubt! And it’s catchy as all get out in that classic Priest way. It’s got everything a fan of Judas Priest could want out of any combination of members from that band, past or present.

Except for one thing: Rob Halford. Which means that your ultimate acceptance of this track, and KK’s Priest in general, will come down to whether you require Halford to be part of your Priest or not. And, by extension, whether you’re OK with Tim “Ripper” Owens’ voice (and his casual racism).

Besides Downing and Owens, the band features one other ex-Priest member, Les Binks (drums). Rounding out the line-up are guitarist A.J. Mills (Hostile), who delivers a killer solo here, and bassist Tony Newton (Voodoo Six).

Give “Hellfire Thunderbolt” a spin below. Sermons Of The Sinner will come out on August 20 via Explorer1 Music Group/EX1 Records.