In an interview with Revolver magazine, Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford spoke about the experience of composing a new album with guitarist Richie Faulkner, who replaced K.K. Downing in 2011.
Read what he said:
“When [Richie] came in, it was like stepping on big boots. He will always acknowledge his respect and admiration for what K.K still means for certain Priest songs,” said the singer. “He went on the Epitath tour. He was thrown in the middle of it, going out night after night with people asking ‘Who is this new guy?’ (…) We’ve met. We’re in each other’s company, 20 hours a day on the bus, on stage, behind the scenes, so that’s all important.
“And Richie actually participated in this album, gave his contributions. (…) In the composition sessions of Redeemer Of Souls I said ‘Let’s hear the ideas. Richie, you’re not the hired gun. You’re in this band. “And then, as we stepped into the creation part of Firepower, he felt more settled, more cemented in Judas Priest, and this shows up with his Firepower ability. (…)”
We never went to the controversy. We never made a coup. It was always just music. The music is there first, so whenever these changes arose, they were for a specific important reason. Our fans understood and it was so with the way Richie was embraced”
Judas Priest’s new album, Firepower, will be released on March 9th.