Original JUDAS PRIEST Frontman AL ATKINS Attends NAMM: Photos Available
- Jan. 25, 2006
Original JUDAS PRIEST singer Al Atkins and Pete MZ Emms, session bassist for Atkins and a member of U.K. rock band THE VASELINE RATS, attended the 2006 Winter NAMM show (National Association of Music Merchants) this past weekend in Anaheim, California. Check out pictures at this location.
As previously reported, Atkins has just released a new promotional DVD. Produced by Mpeguk Ltd, the DVD (released on DVD-R) includes music videos of three selected tracks off his new CD, "Demon Deceiver - The Sin Sessions": the title track, "Demon Deceiver", "Cradle to the Grave" and the JUDAS PRIEST classic "Victim of Changes". The musicians include BUDGIE guitarist Simon Lees, DANTE FOX guitarist Mike de Jager, Emms, drummers Mick Hales and Adrian Badlands, and guitarist Chris Johnson. The videos include footage shot during the recording of the tracks at MAGNUM's Madhat Studios, JB's Live Music Venue and during Al's tour of the U.S.
Check out sample clips at www.mpeguk.com. Free downloads, including iPod downloads, will be available on the site shortly.
Al has recorded "Victim of Changes" three times on different albums over the last 15 years since he turned solo. "This time it's a much shorter and faster version than before. It's fucking awesome," Atkins said. Also appearing on the album is a song called "Drown", which is said to be a duet between Al and Kansas-based vocalist/guitarist Johnny Lokke.
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COMMENT | Original? posted by : CronosWarchild 1/25/2006 3:02:40 AM
Not the original singer. First, yes. But Halford is the original. And Ripper, obviously, the best :-)
COMMENT | Ah, someone else knows and speaks the truth.. posted by : msgathome4 1/25/2006 3:22:23 AM
Ripper rules. Al who? Does anybody know if they ever recorded with this guy? His ONLY claim to fame?
COMMENT | damn... posted by : PilF-004-030-086 1/25/2006 3:34:39 AM
those girls are fine...especially the brunnette one
anyways, to me, Rob is still the voice of Priest. he will always be . . . although Rob and Priest don't get much credit as they should . . . they're still the pioneers no doubt.
COMMENT | NO!!! posted by : Scottrak918 1/25/2006 3:41:39 AM
Atkins never recorded with Priest! He just uses Priest as a clame to fame. His 15 minutes of fame was over 30 years ago. Halford is the Metal God!
COMMENT | This atkins guy posted by : DaBOG 1/25/2006 4:36:00 AM
needs to get a job and stop trying to convince people he was in jp
COMMENT | I fucking' forgot... posted by : Dreaming Neon Black 1/25/2006 5:42:36 AM
Steve Adler can join what might become "the band of losers"
COMMENT | This guy is a larf! posted by : Voivodling 1/25/2006 5:56:17 AM
I think its cool that he's doing what he's doing ... why not?
Opie and Anthony! O&A Party Rock! XM 202!
COMMENT | Is AL on the ATKINS diet? posted by : jitalo 1/25/2006 8:29:50 AM
He looks to be in decent shape for his age.
COMMENT | A history lesson for you posted by : the holy ferret 1/25/2006 9:02:29 AM
Al was in the band long before Halford, Glenn, KK, Ian and co were in the band.
The original Judas Priest were a blues rock band that played clubs in Birmingham. They broke up in 1970. KK and Ian, who were mates since childhood, met up with Al about this time. Al, who basically owned the Judas Priest name, started a band with KK and Ian and used his old bands name. That makes him the only original member of the band (this is circa 1971). They recorded a bunch of demo's with a drummer by the name of John Ellis, most of which went on to become the album 'Rocka Rolla' and a few ended up on 'Victim Of Changes'.
In 1971, Al left. However, he allowed KK and Ian to go on using the name Judas Priest. Halford Joined the band in 71, and Glenn joined the band in 73. They recorded 'Rocka Rolla' in 1974 with no original members.
Judas Priest, the metal band, essentially began in 1976 with the release of 'Victim Of Changes'. 'Rocka Rolla' is basically a tribute to the old band, although they did metalify 'Diamonds And Rust', which was played in it's original folk style when Al was in the band. It's no secret that the original band were all big fans of folk, they named the band after a Bob Dylan song for cryin' out loud.
COMMENT | ^^^ posted by : Kirk_Hamlet 1/25/2006 9:30:01 AM
Although I gotta say, Al looks a hell of a lot better than Scott Travis! LMAO
COMMENT | Just because Atkins WORKED there posted by : RAY FROM HELL 1/25/2006 9:42:35 AM
doesn't make him an attendee. Typical Atkins conversation at NAMM probably went like this:
Atkins: I used to be in Judas Priest. Attendee: Great. Can I get my fucking fries now?
Sorry. Best I can do this early in the morning.
BTW, Ripper is a great singer but Rob is the Metal God.
Just my 2 cents as usual.
COMMENT | AL WHO????????????????????????????????????? posted by : ENEMYWITHIN 1/25/2006 9:44:59 AM
STILL TO BE FAIR the holy ferret. he had fuck all to do with the band doing so well.
COMMENT | Holy Crap! posted by : DreamsOfDeath 1/25/2006 10:00:11 AM
Don't miss the extreme tiddlywinks expo at NAMM! Blood, gore, Blackie Lawless wrestling with Glen Benton in a pit of decaying intestines....dude, extreme tiddlywinks at NAMM is the shiznit, yo!
And Bob Saget's sexually confused pre-op cousin, Thaddeus P. Diddledipper, is also appearing at NAMM, and crooning a mellow Burl Ives tune! He's got C cups!
And, don't miss an exclusive appearance by the SlipTrippy Fucktards featuring Richard Sukker on steel guitar and accordion!
Man, fuck NAMM right in its stupid ass, and all this silly "___________ appearing at NAMM" bullshit. It's an industry gig and you need a special dispensation pass for it anyway, not like the BM masses would be able to attend ANYWAY.
Shameless promotion. Who gives a ripe fuck.
COMMENT | THOSE GIRLS ARE REALLY FINE posted by : RiotAct666 1/25/2006 11:11:28 AM
COMMENT | ENEMYWITHIN posted by : the holy ferret 1/25/2006 11:13:45 AM
You're right about that much. Al had very little to do with what Judas Priest became in the years after he'd left. If you've heard any of their original demo's (which I'm presuming most metalheads will have done), that material is closer to 'Rocka Rolla', which is the only album you can really sense his involvement with. The metal Priest, which is from 1976 onwards, is by far the better band. My post was only intended to inform on what I thought was common knowledge. I don't understand how you can claim to be a metalhead and not know about Atkins. It's like saying you're a Beatles fan and not knowing who Pete Best was, to me at least. Anyway, it's only music at the end of the day.
COMMENT | 98 Live Meltdown posted by : HellPatrol 1/25/2006 4:10:32 PM
I actually thought that album showcased how awesome Ripper is. Yes, the songwriting sucked during the Ripper-era (though that wasn't his fault), but he def could sing live.
COMMENT | posted by : burns1059 1/25/2006 7:53:35 PM
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