Catching Up with Tim "Ripper" Owens: New Music, iPhones, and Staying Fit on the Road

 

In a candid and wide-ranging chat with MetalgodZradiO, Tim "Ripper" Owens opens up about everything from his app overload and iPhone loyalty to his resurgence as a frontman for KK’s Priest and solo projects. With a new record making waves, the legendary metal vocalist proves he’s far from slowing down.

 

App Overload and iPhone Loyalty

MetalgodZradiO: So, how many apps do you think you need to get rid of?

Ripper: Man, probably at least ten… if not more. I’ve got way too many.

MetalgodZradiO: Have you always been an iPhone guy, or did you ever rock an Android?

Ripper: Always iPhone. Never had an Android. Everyone in my family uses iPhones—my kids, everyone—so it just makes things easier. FaceTime and all that good stuff, you know?

MetalgodZradiO: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right?

Ripper: Exactly. We’re old enough to remember payphones and handwritten letters. No one really gets that anymore.

 

Vintage Vibes and UK Payphones

Ripper: You still see payphones here and there. I think they’re more for nostalgia at this point. In England, I spot them more—those old red phone boxes. Some of them even offer free Wi-Fi now!

 

Back in Vocal Shape

MGR: You sound like you’re in top form these days.

Owens: I feel great. Honestly, for a few years I wasn’t singing at my best. Not sure why—it just wasn’t there. But about a year and a half ago, it came back, and now I think I’m singing as well as ever. I’ve got more control, and people can hear it in the live videos on YouTube. Anyone can sound good in the studio—there’s a lot of auto-tune out there. But reproducing that live? That’s the real test.

 

On the New KK’s Priest Album

MetalgodZradiO: Congrats on the new album. It might be your best yet.

Ripper: Thank you. I love it. It’s a great record. Personally, I really like “Striking the Viper.” But “Wash Away Your Sins” might be my favorite—it’s got light, shade, and a heavy vibe that I really dig.

MetalgodZradiO: “Pledge of Souls” is a standout for me.

Ripper: Yeah, that one’s powerful too. And “One More Shot at Glory” was the perfect choice for a lead single.

 

Voice Recovery and Going Strong

Ripper: About four or five years ago, I wasn’t singing my best. No real reason—just one of those things. But a year and a half ago, everything came back. Now, I feel like I’m singing better than ever.

MetalgodZradiO: Do you credit your vocal comeback to a healthier lifestyle?

Ripper: Not entirely. My voice came back before I really doubled down on health. I’ve always gone to the gym and taken care of my voice, but losing weight and intermittent fasting—those things definitely help maintain it now.

 

Fitness and Intermittent Fasting

Ripper: I’ve been trying to stay around 170 pounds. I got as low as 163, which is pretty lean for someone who’s 6 feet tall. I’ve always struggled with weight—even in high school I was around 230. So it’s always a fight.

MetalgodZradiO: What’s the hardest part?

Ripper: Snacking at night. That’s my weakness. I’ve started intermittent fasting—no food after 7 PM until 11 AM. It’s tough, but it helps.

 

Guitar Playing and Writing

MetalgodZradiO: Do you play guitar or contribute musically beyond vocals?

Ripper: I do play a bit. I wrote half the music on the Beyond Fear record and my solo album Play My Game. I’m not a full-time guitarist, but I can write riffs and structure songs.

MetalgodZradiO: Ever jam just for fun?

Ripper: Rarely at home, but on tour, I’ll grab a guitar during a solo set and rip through “Living After Midnight” on stage.

 

KK’s Priest vs Judas Priest

MetalgodZradiO: Some fans say KK’s Priest sounds more like classic Judas Priest than Judas Priest does these days.

Ripper: Not a stretch. KK wrote Judas Priest songs for 50 years. It’s not that we sound like Judas Priest—it’s that Judas Priest sounded like KK. So yeah, there are similarities, but it’s really KK’s songwriting DNA. And I sound like me—I don’t try to be anyone else.

 

Music Collecting in a Streaming Age

MetalgodZradiO: Do you collect your own music—vinyl, cassettes, all the formats?

Ripper: I don’t collect much. I’ve got a few vinyl copies from the last tour and some cassettes. I don’t even know what color the vinyl is—I gave one to my brother. I’ll usually just order a CD on Amazon for myself. That’s it.

 

Touring and Looking Ahead

MetalgodZradiO: What’s 2024 shaping up to look like?

Ripper: It’s gonna be a big year. KK’s Priest plans to tour globally. I’ve got solo dates in Texas and South America. Jamie and I may work on a full-length follow-up to Return to Death Row. But right now, KK’s Priest is my main focus.

MetalgodZradiO: Any songs you’d like to bring to the stage?

Ripper: We’ve only got one of my era’s songs in the current setlist—“Burn in Hell.” I’d love to add “One on One,” “Cathedral Spires,” or “Bloodstained.” And of course, more KK’s Priest material too. Fans want it, and we’re listening.

 

 

Final Thoughts

From iPhones to fasting, guitar riffs to global tours, Tim “Ripper” Owens is a man in motion. His dedication to his craft, health, and fans shines through louder than ever.

Stay metal, stay tuned, and support KK’s Priest on tour!

 Follow KK’s Priest on Instagram, Facebook, or catch them on tour later this year.