Judas Priest and DIO are arguably the seminal Godfathers of Heavy Metal.
For the first time in Australia, two former members of these bands will come together to form Metal Gods, in what will be the ultimate ode to Judas Priest and DIO.
Metal Gods will feature singer Ripper Owens – famed vocalist for Judas Priest after the departure of Rob Halford in 1992 – and drummer, Simon Wright, who was a member of AC/DC between 1983 and 1989 before leaving the group to join Ronnie James Dio’s band.
Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens is a Grammy nominated American hard rock singer, known for his tearing vocals and ominous stage presence, who first gained attention as the lead singer of Judas Priest (1996-2003) and then Iced Earth and Yngwie Malmsteen. Ripper currently tours the world as a solo artist and performs as the lead singer for the band Charred Walls of the Damned with Richard Christy from the Howard Stern show. Tim has also started a super group called Project Rock with James Kottak (Scorpions), Keri Kelli (Alice Cooper, Slash’s Snakepit, John Waite), Rudy Sarzo (Whitesnake, Quiet Riot, Ozzy Osbourne, Dio) Teddy Zig Zag (Guns N’ Roses, Carole King). The movie Rockstar (featuring Mark Wahlberg and Jennifer Aniston) was loosely based on Tim’s time in Judas Priest.
Drummer Simon Wright joined AC/DC after the departure of Phil Rudd in 1983. AC/DC recorded three albums with Wright in the mid-late 80’s including Fly on the Wall, Who Made Who and Blow Up Your Video. Wright left the group in 1989 to join Dio.
One of the most influential heavy metal groups of all time, Judas Priest emerged at the dawn of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. At the beginning of the ’80s, Judas Priest was a top concert attraction around the world, in addition to being a best-selling recording artist, having sold over 50 million albums to date. In the early ’90s, Rob Halford left Judas Priest before being replaced by Ripper (also formerly a member of a Priest tribute band) in 1996.
Dio was formed in 1982 and led by vocalist Ronnie James Dio. Dio left Black Sabbath with intentions to form a new band with fellow former Black Sabbath member Vinny Appice, the band’s drummer. For a brief spell during the mid- ’80s, the heavy metal quintet Dio were also one of the top U.S. concert attractions, boasting one of the most over the top stage acts of its time loaded with props and special effects (lasers, explosions, a giant dragon, etc.). To date, Dio has sold more than 20 million albums worldwide.
The Metal Gods band also features the talents of James Morley, former bassist with The Angels, and Joel
McDonald, known for his work with Rose Tattoo, various members of Kiss, and the World Famous Frankies House Band. The band will perform all the hits from Dio’s catalogue with Sabbath and Rainbow, as well as solo classics such as Holy Diver and Rainbow in the Dark.
This band does not mess around, it’s ROCK, delivered primal and powerful!
Friday October 14, 2022: Mansfield Tavern – BRISBANE, QLD
Saturday October 15, 2022: Bridgeway Live – ADELAIDE, SA
Sunday October 16, 2022: The Corner Hotel – MELBOURNE, VIC
Friday October 21, 2022: Manning Bar – SYDNEY, NSW
Saturday October 22, 2022: Badlands – PERTH, WA
Tickets on sale Monday, April 11, 2022 – 9am local time from www.oztix.com.au.
