Former Judas Priest vocalist Tim "Ripper" Owens is set to embark on a comprehensive European tour spanning February and March 2027, promising a formidable 30-show itinerary across 14 countries. This extensive run will showcase Owens’s celebrated career, drawing material from his significant contributions to Judas Priest, as well as his extensive work with other prominent heavy metal acts and his solo endeavors. The tour will be bolstered by select performances from special guests ONE MACHINE, ENGINEERED SOCIETY PROJECT, and WHO ON EARTH, adding further weight to an already compelling lineup.
A Legacy Forged in Metal
Tim "Ripper" Owens has carved out a formidable reputation in the heavy metal landscape over several decades. His tenure as the frontman for the iconic Judas Priest, from 1996 to 2003, marked a pivotal era for the band. During this period, he lent his powerful vocals to the studio albums "Jugulator" (1997) and "Demolition" (2001), alongside the live recordings "’98 Live Meltdown" and "Live In London." These albums, while met with mixed reactions from some long-time fans, showcased Owens’s distinctive vocal prowess and his ability to deliver the high-octane delivery expected of a Judas Priest frontman.
Beyond his significant contributions to Judas Priest, Owens has been an integral part of numerous other established heavy metal outfits. His discography includes work with KK’s Priest, a project formed by former Judas Priest guitarist K.K. Downing, further cementing his connection to the Priest legacy. He has also recorded and performed with the influential ICED EARTH, the virtuosic Yngwie Malmsteen, and the aggressive CHARRED WALLS OF THE DAMNED. His solo career has seen the release of albums such as "Play My Game" and "Return To Death Row," offering a platform for his personal artistic expression within the metal genre.
The upcoming European tour represents an opportunity for fans to experience the breadth of Owens’s musical journey. The setlists are expected to feature a diverse range of songs, spanning the entirety of his career, performed alongside his dedicated touring band. The geographical scope of the tour, encompassing Central, Northern, and Southern Europe, underscores Owens’s enduring appeal across the continent. The inclusion of three distinct special guest acts at various stages of the tour adds a dynamic element, highlighting the interconnectedness of the international metal community.
The Genesis of a Metal Icon: From Cover Band to Priest
The narrative of Tim "Ripper" Owens’s rise to prominence is a compelling chapter in heavy metal history, famously inspiring the 2001 Warner Bros. film "Rock Star." The movie, starring Mark Wahlberg, loosely depicted Owens’s extraordinary journey from fronting a Judas Priest cover band to becoming the actual band’s lead singer. This real-life story of a dedicated fan stepping into the shoes of his idols resonated deeply within the music world.
Owens joined Judas Priest in 1996, a decision that came about through a serendipitous discovery. Judas Priest drummer Scott Travis had been given a videotape of Owens performing with the cover band BRITISH STEEL. At the time, Judas Priest was actively seeking a replacement for vocalist Rob Halford, who had departed the band. Owens’s powerful vocal range and his evident passion for the Judas Priest catalog made him a compelling candidate.
In an interview with The Vinyl Guide podcast, Owens reflected on the immense pressure and expectation that accompanied his entry into Judas Priest. "Well, listen, I was confident," he stated. "They were confident with my voice. I knew some fans wouldn’t like me, but I also knew that I could sing really good, and I could sing really good live." He highlighted his ability to replicate his studio performances on stage as a key advantage. "One advantage I felt I had as a singer was I could sing what I recorded in the studio; whatever I recorded, I’m gonna be able to sing that live. And I felt when fans came to the show, they would be happy that they have someone who’s coming in the JUDAS PRIEST that could still keep the voice going."
Owens acknowledged the inherent challenge of replacing a legendary frontman like Rob Halford. "So if someone didn’t like me, there’s nothing I could do," he admitted. He recalled advice from then-Judas Priest guitarist K.K. Downing: "’The proof is in the pudding. Come to the show and see.’" Owens observed that many initially skeptical fans were won over by his live performances. "And I think a lot of people used to come to the shows and they just couldn’t wait to hate me. They hated me showing up and wanted me to fail. And so many of ’em, I’d win ’em over when I started singing, because they could tell that I loved it; I loved what I was singing, and I wanted to do the songs justice. So I always felt confident."
Navigating a Challenging Era
The period during which Owens fronted Judas Priest coincided with a challenging phase for the heavy metal genre. Both "Jugulator" and "Demolition," the studio albums released with Owens on vocals, experienced lower sales figures compared to previous Judas Priest releases. This, coupled with the eventual return of Rob Halford, led to Owens’s departure. Owens addressed this period with a pragmatic perspective. "It was a really bad time of heavy metal," he explained. "So it wasn’t like I joined them in the heyday. I mean, when Rob left JUDAS PRIEST, they were playing in front of a couple thousand people on the ‘Painkiller’ tour, a lot of shows. So, it really wasn’t a great time of heavy metal." He understood the desire for Halford’s return, stating, "So I understood that, and I understood people would want Rob back. But all I cared about was getting on stage and sound[ing good]. I just wanted the band to be happy and me to be happy with me doing it. That’s all I worried about."
Owens also spoke about the reception he received from musicians in other genres, particularly the hair metal scene which was in decline at the time. "I know a lot of the the musicians at the time, especially the hair metal bands, because hair metal was gone at that time, they hated me in L.A., ’cause they were, like, ‘Who’s this guy? He comes from Akron, Ohio. What’s he done? How’s he here?’" He maintained his grounded identity, adding, "And I still am the same Ohio guy, [with the] same friends. I have the same attitude. And all of us are the same. I tell musicians this all the time: we’re all the same. I mean, nothing different."
Inter-Band Dynamics and Media Narratives
Despite the media’s attempts to create a narrative of animosity between Owens and Rob Halford, Owens described a mutual respect. "No, just in the press," he said when asked about communication with Halford at the time. "They always tried to get us to say mean things and bad things. And every now and then, one of us would say something." He noted the pre-internet era made such situations less volatile than they might be today. "But, no, because there was a respect. I don’t think Rob liked me much, probably at the time, because someone’s going to his band, his songs and singing this, but we always had this respect. And when we met each other, we always had great talks. And I think it made a lot of people mad that we liked each other. I think it made a lot of people mad, and I think it still does. But whenever I’ve seen him, I love talking to him, and he knows what’s going on with me, and he’s, like, ‘Oh, I see that you’re playing in Russia,’ whatever."
Owens also offered a candid perspective on the journalistic practices of the era, particularly concerning interviews. "Back in those days, [journalists] would have the old tape recorder hidden," he recalled. "Now they could just turn their phone on, and no one would know it. But you would do an interview, and then they go, ‘All right, the interview’s over.’ And then they’d turn the tape recorder off, but they’d have another one going in their pocket trying to get you to say stuff. And you know this, doing interviews, you get people to feel comfortable so you talk like you’re friends. And then you just start saying stuff. And I put my foot in my mouth a few times. Oh, now I do all the time, because now – I always do."
The "50 Heavy Metal Years Of Music" Connection
The albums "Demolition" and "Jugulator" hold a specific place in the Judas Priest catalog, as they are included in the band’s limited-edition box set, "50 Heavy Metal Years Of Music." Released in October 2021, this extensive collection features every official live and studio album to date, alongside 13 unreleased discs, making it the most comprehensive release of archival material from the band. The inclusion of these albums acknowledges their place within the band’s discography, despite the differing commercial and critical reception compared to other eras.
2027 European Tour Dates and Special Guests
The upcoming European tour is meticulously scheduled to cover a significant portion of the continent, offering fans ample opportunities to witness Owens perform live. The tour dates are as follows:
Special Guest: ONE MACHINE
- February 04 – Kino Regis – Bochnia, Poland
- February 05 – Stary Dom – Domecko, Poland
- February 06 – Eden Underground – Brumov, Czech Republic
- February 07 – [Venue to be announced] – Sofia, Bulgaria
- February 09 – Pocoloco – Paganica, Italy
- February 11 – Druso – Bergamo, Italy
- February 12 – Borderline – Pisa, Italy
- February 13 – Artfabrik – Freiburg, Germany
- February 14 – [Venue to be announced] – Saint-Jean-de-Védas, France
- February 16 – ECI Cultuurfabriek – Roermond, Netherlands
Special Guest: ENGINEERED SOCIETY PROJECT
- February 17 – DVG Club – Kortrijk, Belgium
- February 19 – Bergkeller – Reichenbach, Germany
- February 20 – [Venue to be announced] – Selb, Germany
- February 21 – Poppodium – Emmen, Netherlands
- February 22 – Spirit of 66 – Verviers, Belgium
- February 24 – Sunset Bar – Martigny, Switzerland
- February 25 – Del Vino – Orchamps-Vennes, France
- February 26 – Soundcheck One – Waldbronn, Germany
- February 27 – Soundcheck One – Waldbronn, Germany
- February 28 – Rock Fabrik – Übach-Palenberg, Germany
Special Guest: WHO ON EARTH
- March 03 – Katalin – Uppsala, Sweden
- March 04 – Carlsson på Kajen – Västerås, Sweden
- March 05 – Klubb Hades – Borås, Sweden
- March 06 – Backstage Rockbar – Trollhättan, Sweden
- March 07 – Karosserifabrikken – Helsingør, Denmark
- March 09 – Bounty Rock Cafe – Olomouc, Czech Republic
- March 10 – Reigen – Vienna, Austria
- March 11 – Wutscha – Wolfsberg, Austria
- March 12 – Festival – Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- March 13 – Kino Klub – Svatobořice, Czech Republic
The touring band accompanying Tim "Ripper" Owens will consist of:
- Tim "Ripper" Owens – Vocals
- Emiliano Tessitore – Guitar
- Martin Bílek – Guitar
- Francesco Caporaletti – Bass
- Alessio Palizzi – Drums
This 2027 European tour represents a significant undertaking for Tim "Ripper" Owens, offering a comprehensive retrospective of his impactful career in heavy metal. The extensive schedule, coupled with the support of notable special guests, promises a series of electrifying performances that will undoubtedly appeal to his dedicated fanbase and metal enthusiasts across the continent.
