An evening with K.K. Downing and David Ellefson, KK's Steel Mill, Wolverhampton - review

Initially, the announcement there would be “an evening with David Ellefson and K.K. Downing” barely provoked a shrug from rock fans. Press releases promised “A full-length set of Priest classics”. A Priest tribute band night?

Then the names were released…..

Megadeth bassist Ellefson (plugging his recently-released book and his band’s European tour) would be the support act followed by the headliners, which is where interest really intensified – Downing was dusting down his Flying V guitars, shining the studs on his black leather waistcoat and squeezing into his black leather trousers one more time to shake his long blond locks on stage.

Downing had made a couple of phonecalls to former Priest drummer Les Binks (who had left Priest nearly 40 years ago) and Tim “Ripper” Owens, who had replaced Rob Halford on vocals to keep the Priest sound alive until Halford returned to the band.

A new super group had come together, for one night only.

It was a chance to suss out the venue - which has been gaining a reputation - and we were going to see Cannock-based Piston support Phil Campbell’s B*****d Sons there soon.

We were impressed at the venue – hot and sweaty with an electric, anticipatory atmosphere – the vibe was that something special was about to happen. The ‘foyer’ between the entrance and the live music area boasted a bar with reasonable prices and we, of course, supped pints of K.K's Pale Ale and Motorhead Road Crew.

The ‘special guest’ on stage first was former Iron Maiden vocalist Blaze Bayley and his band, thoroughly appreciated by the crowd and Bayley chatted with fans at the merch stand after his set. Ellefson’s band followed Bayley with a good set, intertwined with an occasional Megadeth song. The other band members were certainly not journeymen - the dreadlocked vocalist Thom Hazeart was on fine form.

After a brief interlude and with no frills the main band arrived. The crowd roared and chanted “JUDAS PRIEST! JUDAS PRIEST!” A quick “Good evening Wolverhampton” from Owens and we were straight into Riding On The Wind, then the perennial Priest cover of Fleetwood Mac’s Green Manalishi. There were no nerves on stage, the whole band obviously enjoying themselves, smiling, interacting, racing around.

Owens acknowledged how "weird" it was to be here, singing songs he thought he had left behind long ago. The addition of a second guitarist - A. J. Mills of Black Country band Hostile (whose two albums Downing has produced) - provided a serendipitous depth to the band.

Running Wild followed. Then the barely-moving Binks began an interesting interlude of a mini-drum solo, before totally wrecking his drum kit with Exciter - from Stained Class - which drew a roar of crowd approval. It was another highlight of the night. Next was vitriol-laced Between The Hammer And The Anvil, a cathartic chest-beating song about Priest’s court case - acquitted - over subliminal ‘demonic’ lyrics.

The actual highlight of the night came next – a surprise and pleasure to experience from Killing Machine, the beautiful Before the Dawn. Owens had earlier promised a treat and the band did not let us down. Sheer class.

Downing thanked the band, and was genuinely humbled by the warmth of the crowd. The night kicked up a gear to the finale of Hell Bent For Leather and hit single Living After Midnight. And the crowd roared its approval as the band returned for the encore, an ad-hoc jam with Ellefson’s band for two more hit singles - ‘Take On The World’ and ‘Breaking The Law’. The duetting between Owens and Hazeart was a delight to behold.

Fourteen songs in all, what a night - and all for a measly £10. Bargain!

By Richard Pursehouse