K.K. Downing, Tim 'Ripper' Owens & Les Binks cover Judas Priest classic
Former Judas Priest stars K.K. Downing, Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens and Les Binks have recorded a version of ‘Beyond the Realms of Death’.
The trio were drafted in to perform the track with DevilStar; an all-star hard rock and heavy metal group founded by producer/guitarist Paul Crook (Anthrax, Meat Loaf, Sebastian Bach) and executive producer John Madera.
The cover of the Judas Priest classic ‘Beyond the Realms of Death’ is the debut single from DevilStar and you can hear a 20-second snippet below ahead of its release on Friday 1st June.
Alongside guitars from Crooks and Downing, Binks (drums) and Owens (vocals), the song also features bass from Joey Vera (Armored Saint, Fates Warning).
DevilStar recorded the track to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Judas Priest’s fourth studio album ‘Stained Class’ earlier this year. Les Binks picked up his only co-songwriting credit for Judas Priest with ‘Beyond the Realms of Death’ after he came up with main riff.
According to Crook, he believes DevilStar have done the song justice: "I feel confident that all fans of metal and hard rock are going to love this 40th anniversary rendition of 'Beyond the Realms of Death'.
"We all put in the love, making sure Priest fans wouldn't be disappointed. K.K. was very vocal about this point. He had final say on the mix. I can't wait for everyone to hear it."
DevilStar will release further songs in the coming months, which will be a mix of original compositions and covers that will feature other eminent rock and heavy metal names.
While several tracks have already been recorded, fans are invited to email devilstarmusic@gmail.com to propose potential “dream team” line-ups and/or suggest cover songs to tackle in the future.
Last week, the royalty rights to 136 Judas Priest songs including ‘Breaking The Law’, ‘Painkiller’ and ‘Living After Midnight’ were put up for sale by K.K. Downing’s administrators.
K.K. fell into financial difficulties after his luxury golf resort fell into administration. It’s estimated the songs generate between £250,000 to £300,000 a year in royalties.
Judas Priest headline Bloodstock Open Air Festival this August. Tickets are on sale from Planet Rock Tickets now.