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Former Judas Priest<\/a> singer Tim \u2018Ripper\u2019 Owens<\/a> said he regrets the way his former band has \u201cerased\u201d him, but added that he still enjoys remembering his nine-year stint with the British icons.<\/p>\n He replaced original vocalist Rob Halford<\/a> in 1996 and appeared on two albums \u2013 1997\u2019s Jugulator<\/em><\/a> and 2001\u2019s Demolition<\/a><\/em> \u2013 before being dismissed for Halford\u2019s return in 2003<\/a>.<\/p>\n Since then, Priest have shown no interest in the material written with Owens, which is the only part of their catalog not available on streaming platforms \u2013 although the band\u2019s recent $500 box set contained both records. In a recent interview with Whiplash<\/a><\/em>, the singer explained his regret over the move.<\/p>\n READ MORE:\u00a0<\/strong>The Judas Priest Album That Shocked Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cWell, it\u2019s hard to draw new fans to it,\u201d he said, adding: \u201cWhen I do [my] solo tours, I play Jugulator<\/em> and Demolition<\/em> songs, and they go over better than anything.<\/p>\n \u201cJudas Priest decided \u2013 their decision, no one else\u2019s \u2013 to erase the records,\u201d he continued, before referring to the box set. \u201cThat proves that they do have access to put it out\u2026 But that’s their decision, and that\u2019s fine.\u201d<\/p>\n Owens insisted that he didn\u2019t want to \u201churt anybody\u2019s feelings,\u201d but speculated, \u201cI guess they’re upset by it, and they don’t like the idea of it being out there. I guess there\u2019s wokeness in metal as well, isn\u2019t there?\u201d<\/p>\n In a more positive light, he described his ex band mates as \u201cfantastic guys, just amazing guys\u201d and said he\u2019d \u201chad the time of my life\u201d with them. \u201cI always say Judas Priest was my college.\u2026 they opened the doors for me and I took advantage of it. \u2026 I was treated fantastic.\u201d<\/p>\n He added: \u201cExcept now they ignore me\u2026 they erased my… It was great when I was in the band; now I\u2019m just erased. But they can\u2019t erase the fun I had \u2013 that\u2019s the whole thing.\u201d<\/p>\n Owens went on to suggest that Judas Priest were the victims of poor management practice, resulting in decisions like ignoring his two albums and their about-face in firing then rehiring guitarist Andy Sneap in 2022<\/a>.<\/p>\n Comparing Priest to another British metal giant, he said: \u201cIron Maiden<\/a> has great management. They do great business moves. \u2026 Judas Priest, yeah\u2026 This is a band that announced they were going to one guitar player\u2026 I mean, how the fuck does Judas Priest go to one guitar player?<\/p>\n \u201cSo there\u2019s a reason why [Maiden] play in front of 20,000 people and the other one plays in front of 5,000. \u2026 Iron Maiden, which is a little more class act, plays Blaze Bayley’s songs, \u2018cause they wrote them; they did it. Why would they not?\u201d<\/p>\n They don’t call ’em Metal Gods for nothing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Gallery Credit: Ultimate Classic Rock Staff<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nRipper Owens Explains Why Judas Priest Aren\u2019t As Big as Iron Maiden<\/h3>\n
Judas Priest Albums Ranked<\/h2>\n