Heavy metal thunder rolled through Madrid, Spain, as powerhouse vocalist Tim “Ripper” Owens delivered an electrifying performance featuring songs by Judas Priest, KK’s Priest, Black Sabbath, and Iron Maiden. The show, which took place during his recent European solo tour, served as a fiery reminder of Owens’ unmatched vocal range and enduring connection to metal’s most iconic catalogues.
A Night Of Pure Metal
Fans packed into the intimate Madrid venue were treated to a career-spanning metal assault that highlighted Owens’ commanding stage presence and versatility. Backed by a tight, hard-hitting band, “Ripper” tore through a setlist that paid tribute to his time with Judas Priest and KK’s Priest, while also honoring the legends who inspired him.
Concert footage posted online shows Owens in top form, delivering high octane renditions of Priest classics such as “Painkiller”, “The Ripper”, and “Hell Is Coming Down”, the latter from KK’s Priest’s latest album The Sinner Rides Again. His soaring screams and gritty growls echoed the glory days of British heavy metal, leaving the Madrid crowd roaring for more.
Paying Tribute To Metal’s Giants
In a thrilling twist, Owens expanded his set to include songs from Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden, two bands he’s long credited as key influences. His renditions of “Heaven and Hell” and “The Trooper” showcased not only his vocal power but also his deep respect for the roots of heavy metal.
“These songs are the reason I picked up a mic in the first place,” Owens told the crowd between songs. “Sabbath, Maiden, Priest, that’s the holy trinity right there!”
His band delivered crushing authenticity, with galloping bass lines, thunderous drumming, and twin-guitar harmonies that perfectly captured the spirit of the classics while still letting Owens’ signature firepower shine through.
The Voice That Never Fades
Tim “Ripper” Owens first rose to prominence in the mid-1990s when he replaced Rob Halford as frontman of Judas Priest, a dream come true for a lifelong fan who famously went from fronting a Priest tribute band to joining the real thing. His tenure with the band produced two studio albums, Jugulator (1997) and Demolition (2001), showcasing his ferocious range and stage intensity.
After leaving Priest, Owens continued to cement his legacy through projects like Iced Earth, Yngwie Malmsteen’s Rising Force, and KK’s Priest, the group he fronts alongside founding Priest guitarist K.K. Downing.
Despite decades in the spotlight, Owens’ voice remains a powerhouse, sharp, powerful, and full of conviction.
“Age hasn’t slowed him down one bit,” one fan commented online after the Madrid gig. “He still sounds like a metal god.”
Fans React: “A Masterclass In Heavy Metal Vocals”
Clips from the Madrid concert quickly made their way across YouTube and social media, with fans worldwide praising Owens’ performance as a “masterclass in heavy metal vocals.” His ability to effortlessly switch between the operatic shrieks of Judas Priest, the dark resonance of Sabbath, and the melodic charge of Iron Maiden reaffirmed his reputation as one of metal’s most dynamic singers.
“Ripper’s Madrid show proves why he deserves to be mentioned among the greats,” wrote one reviewer. “He’s not just honoring the classics, he’s keeping them alive.”
The Road Ahead
With KK’s Priest continuing to tour behind The Sinner Rides Again and Owens launching select solo shows across Europe and South America, the singer shows no signs of slowing down. Whether fronting his own band or paying homage to metal’s legends, Tim “Ripper” Owens remains one of the genre’s most passionate ambassadors.
As fans in Madrid witnessed firsthand, his message is simple:
“Metal is forever, and so are the songs that made us.”
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