December 2007

Corme, Ontario, Canada:

My name’s Cormer and I'm from Ontario Canada. First let me say, I think it's f**kin awesome that you take time every month to answer fans questions and I know it's probably a damn pain if they write too much so I'll get straight to it! I realise my question has been asked before, twice that I've seen, and both times you've basically just said, "It could happen." So I'm not trying to just bother you to say yes, but my question is, can you please Do Ripper songs, with Halford on Vocals? Songs like Dead Meat, and Burn In Hell, are amazing. But the real reason, I think anyway, that so many people have such a hunger to hear these songs, is not so much that they miss them, or fear they'll never hear them again (Though that would certainly be part of it). But it's more, when Ripper was in the band, people were REALLY curious to hear how he would put his own spin on the classics recorded by Halford. I also think, that people have a much MUCH bigger longing to hear how Rob would do Ripper songs. All my friends that are Priest fans and I have talked about this, and as hard as we try, we just can't even imagine what it would sound like if it was Rob Halford standing up there screaming, "You're going... to BURN IN HEEEEEELLLLL!" It's just something we can't picture, and we all REALLY want to see it. Just give it some thought PLEEEASE You f**kin rule, as do Glenn, Rob, Ian, and Scott. Rock On!!!

Hi Cormer. Thanks for your enthusiasm and respect of the Ripper years, I just recently saw him on the HEAVEN AND HELL tour in the U.K. He was just amazing! We never know what the future holds but for now we are well on the way with the new record and our world tour starting next year so we will see you then. 

Regards K.K.

Nicolas, Buenos Aires, Argentina:

Hi K.K. and Hi to all the Millworkers!!

 
I'm Nicolas, from Buenos Aires, Argentina. 

First I've got to say it's so great to talk to you through this section of the Mill. And it’s so great that you be able to answer the fan mail... I really appreciate that!  
I been listening to Judas Priest since I started to play guitar two years and a half ago and since then too, not step a day without hearing a song of Judas Priest. I love songs like Between The Hammer And The Anvil, Hard As Iron, Grinder, Heading Out To The Highway (the version in Priest... Live! specially) Bloodstone, Painkiller, Jawbreaker, The Sentinel, Ram It Down, Turbo Lover, Fever, Out In the Cold. The list is endless, I can't name all of them because I like ALL your songs, each song and each album is a masterpiece of Metal, since I heard you I knew you were 100% Metal and no other band is so Metal than you. Because of you I love Heavy Metal, and that's really great!  

In the last weeks, I’ve seen the DVDs: Live Vengeance 82' and Rising In The East and I went crazy, really crazy. I became a bigger fan than before. I want to get a Guitar like yours, that fascinates me, it's all I speak of. I've seen what a wonderful guitarist you are and the way you play. You are one of the best guitar players in the Metal World!! I want to ask about your gear, I’ve seen your Flying V Guitar models, I’ve been searching the Internet for a Signature Model or something like that but I couldn't find it. I know your guitars are custom models (as seen on Downing Street section in the Mill) so which brand of model you can recommend me to buy and where. (I'm looking for a Flying V Type with Tremolo Bridge, Maple fretboard and maple neck and to make it Ideal, with Scalloped neck... hahaha)

 
Here in Argentina, the guitar shops became cheaper year after year and the guitars on sale are cheap and I really don't like them. So I'm thinking about buying one via Internet perhaps. A good Metal Guitar Model. But I don't know where to find it.

 
And the second question, which songs/riffs or some solos have been written by you only? So I will know if I'm listening to you or Glenn...  (please tell me that "The Sentinel" is yours, I LOVE that intro) I play it with piano too... hehe. And "Fever"?  

I'm waiting impatiently the release of your new album, and when that happens PLEASE DO A TOUR OF ARGENTINAAAAA!!!! PLEASEEEEEEE COOMEEEEE!!!!!!! (I missed the gig here in 2005 and couldn't forgive myself for missing it.) When I listen to your Live Albums, I can feel the power and the extreme sensation that a great gig could give me, SO AGAIN, PLEASE COME!!!!  

Thanks a lot to you and all the Millworkers, best regards and keep Rockin'!!! 

ps1: Your site is awesome, I really like the graphics! wonderful site! 
ps2: sorry about some probable mistakes in my English.  
Thanks to you again!!!! 

Hope see you soon on Stage! Best regards!!!

Hi Nicolas. Your English is just fine. At the moment I am working with a new company designing my ideal guitar as I agree with you it is impossible for me to walk into any guitar shop and buy an instrument that is any where near good enough without making many expensive changes. So if you can wait a while for a guitar to be made just call or e-mail KxK guitars and tell them you would like to have number 2 of the custom guitar designed by me. It is a V with scalloped maple fretboard with the latest floyd rose, quick loading trem system and much more. It may cost around 2000+ dollars but it’s all hand crafted and is the ultimate. On the solos and stuff please keep checking out videos etc. and of course our live gigs to see who plays what as it gets hard for me to remember everything. 

Regards K.K.

Michael, Rugby:

Hi K.K.  My name is Michael, I'm 21 (22 next week) and I live in Rugby. I met you at the NEC at the Heaven and Hell gig just after Iced Earth finished their set. I'd just like to say sorry really as I could tell you wanted to get backstage quickly without anyone bothering you, but I didn’t think I’d get another chance in my life to meet you. Many thanks for the time that you did give me and for the photo you kindly agreed to have taken with me.

Again I by no means meant to distract you from your evening.

all the best,

Michael.

P.S. I’m so annoyed I didn’t have a pen, hahaha.

Hi Michael. No problem, see you again when we play there next year.  

Regards K.K.

Markus, Germany:

Hi K.K. This is Markus from Germany, 
I was lucky enough to be the first guy with a fan profile on your site. 
BTW: The Steel Mill is one of the best sites cause YOU spend so much time answering questions and giving us info on what's going on with the band. Thank you so much for that! 

Ok now here is the question #1: 
I know you can't give away any information regarding the new album, release or tourdates and I understand that, so my question goes into a complete different direction: 

Have you ever heard about Jon Oliva's Pain ? 
They are awesome and they are about to release their third album. If you're looking for a band to tour with (and i know it's not in your hands alone, but i am sure you can make suggestions *wink* ) these guys would be the perfect choice. 
Give them a listen if you haven't already and I promise you will like them.  

And question #2 
As you can see in my fan profile I am a collector of everything Priest !!!  I've been collecting for more than 25 years now. 
I can only imagine how big and unique your collection must/could be.   So my question is do you collect Priest material and if so, will you share some pictures with us? 

Thanks and see you in 2008! 

Hi Markus. I have not heard of the band you speak of but I am positive the Mill workers will be able to give me information about them. Actually I don't collect Priest stuff but I guess I do have some things that might be of interest so the next time the mill workers visit me I will let them rummage around in my attic to see what they can find.

Regards K.K.

Chris, California:

Hello K.K.

The first time I heard Judas Priest music was when I saw Judas Priest open up for UFO in San Jose, California and I have been a fan ever since!

I've seen Judas Priest at least 10 times and have loved every show I've seen!

K.K. do you remember when you met Ian Hill?

How many years after you met Ian was ”Rocka Rolla” released?

Have you ever thought about writing a book?

I am sure you have a hell of a lot of stories to tell.

Probably a lot of experiences too wild to write on paper...lol

One more question...

What is your favorite Jimi Hendrix album?

I can't wait for Nostradamus and I hope you write about Nostradamus in your future blogs!!

Thanks K.K.

Hi Chris. Ian and myself were at school together from the age of 5 so I guess together we could write a decent few pages of interest. Maybe one day it will come together but as you say at the moment we are hard at work bringing Nostradamus back through the centuries. Thank you for being a fan for so long.

Regards K.K.

Oro Lavia from Donostia/San Sebastian:

Hello K.K. lo siento por escribir en castellano pero es que mi inglés es muy malo, entiendo bastante bien pero escribir no se me da nada bien. En la gira de este año me gustaria que Judas viniese a Donostia o por lo menos a Bilbao, es que los que vivimos aqui nos tenemos que ir bastante lejos para veros, pero supongo que eso tendra que ver con los promotores. ¿Sigues viviendo en Marbella? supongo que te habras enterado de lo de la "operación malaya" (lo siento si te resulta molesto, pero es que aqui esta saliendo a todas horas en la televisión) me gustaria saber que es lo que opinas. ¿El vestuario que llevais en las giras os lo diseñan para vosotros?. ¿En la gira de este año el show va a ser conceptual, con actores, coros...?. ¿Que es lo que te suele inspirar cuando compones?. Espero que puedas responder a mis preguntas, aunque son bastantes jeje. Muxus (bss) Agur.

Hola Gold, Vamos a tratar de llegar a San Sebastien porque hemos tenido especial conciertos allí antes, de hecho yo he vendido mi casa en Marbella, pero que un día como para tener una casa tradicional en un pueblo más rústico,  
Todos los miembros de la banda al igual que a desighn sus propias telas y por eso pienso ahora después de todos estos años, espero que son bastante buenos, noe No he oído hablar de la de Malasia funcionamiento, de modo que usted puede decirme lo que es, voy a mirar hacia adelante A verle el próximo año en España, hasta que vea usted, cuanto K.K.

Adrienne, Minnesota:

Hey K.K. My name is Adrienne and I live in the U.S. in Minnesota. I'm a new Judas Priest fan, as I was born the same year that Defenders of the Faith came out. I was just wondering if you could tell me where I could find posters of you guys. I have looked all over the net but the only ones I could find were album covers and I would like to have one of you guys as a group. I was also wondering if you guys have ever considered releasing Rising in the East onto cd. I got it for my last birthday and I LOVE it!  

Hi Adrienne. Great to have you on board, I can’t help with the posters at the moment but I will make some enquiries. Hopefully we will have some new ones soon, also with the CD quite often people have also asked about it being available on CD so it is also something that I will ask about. Hope to see you next year in Minnesota , please keep feeding the flames for us at the Steel Mill.

Regards K.K.

Sergio from Mexico:

Hello!, I am Sergio from Mexico. I really really love Judas Priest music, I’ve always thought you are the greatest metal band on earth! 

I want to ask you how do you do the wicked guitar sounds that appear at the beginning of "Sinner" and "Starbreaker" on the Unleashed on the East album. And also I wonder what is the equipment you used for the song "Lochness" from the Angel of Retribution album, I hope you answer me

Hi Sergio. I simply turn up the guitar and amps as far as the will go and use the wah wah pedal to vary the tone. As I play I hit the guitar as hard as I can and let it rip. On Lochness I used a 1974 fifty watt Marshall amp, my ESP Flying V, a Digitech tone driver and a Maxon rotory phaser. Please say hi to all our fans in Mexico for us ,we like to see you all next year.  

Regards K.K.

Juan:

Me sumé a SEXY o NO! 
Mira mi foto en http://www.sexyono.com/r/?uid=jb5304235e 

SEXY o NO es una página de entretenimientos que te permite conocer gente, ver y votar fotos de gente de todos los países de habla hispana. Si subes tu foto podrás saber que tan sexy eres a los ojos de los demás y conocer gente de todas partes.  

Me gustaría que la conozcas, y que te suscribas gratuitamente. 

Hola Juan, Si es bastante interesante hay muchas chicas que muy guapas cuanto K.K. 

Orville, Germany:

Hi again K.K.! First thank you for answering my question this August. But I have another question about some Judas Priest tracks. I hope you can answer it.  

I have red that Judas Priest had planned a double-album called Twin Turbos in the year 1985/1986. But you haven´t released some of the songs you had written. I aquired too that you have written the Song " Mother Sun" for the Rocka Rolla album. But in the ultimate effect you hadn´t released this song 
So now my question: When have you planned to released these songs? 

So I hope you will answer my question. It will be great!! Wish you all the best and I think Nostradamus will be a great album. I can´t wait to hear from you!

Hi Orville. We did as you say have material left over from Turbo but I think that most of the ideas were broken down and the best parts were used in songs on forthcoming records. As for Mother Sun we did play it once live but we obviously thought it needed to be stronger to be on a record, maybe one day we will revisit the idea but for now Nostradamus sounds like the one to beat.  

Regards K.K.

Susan, USA:

Dear K.K.

I am an old fan of Priest since I first heard Unleashed in the East at age 14.

I have seen Priest live several times and always was up front hanging on the rails. I even shook your hand once after I had stood at your feet all night enjoying the music. Thanks for that memory.

I was wondering if there is any chance Judas Priest may still play Victim of Changes live? I love that song live, just to listen to the echo in a large venue. I love all Priest songs but that one gives me chills.

I think this 40-something may have to drag my daughter to your tour to show her what real music is.

Best regards

Hi Susan, I can’t say for sure that Victim will be in the set list next year but if it is not please promise that you will indeed convince your daughter to come any way as you will of course both be very welcome. 

Regards K.K.