THE BEAST

In a brand new interview with "Talking Metal" , ex- JUDAS PRIEST frontman Tim "Ripper" Owens was asked if it's true that the band's management requested that he stop using artwork related to his time with the group to promote his solo shows. "Yeah, it did happen," Owens confirmed (hear audio below). "It was basically… Someone released a tour poster for one of my solo tours, and that's the artwork that they used. And I just got an e-mail saying 'don't use the name' and 'try not to use the JUDAS PRIEST name.'

"Listen, it is what it is," Owens continued. "I'm shocked that they wouldn't want their artwork out there. It's only pushing JUDAS PRIEST , to be honest. Contrary to popular belief — I know they don't believe this — but some fans do like those records and do wanna see 'em. They like to see the artwork. But I listen to whatever they tell me. I love the whole JUDAS PRIEST camp and all the guys and management, so when they ask me to do something, I listen."

Owens recently said that he would consider re-recording the albums he made with JUDAS PRIEST because he wants to make sure that the music they created together is available to the public. He also lamented the fact that the current version of PRIEST has never performed any songs from his time with the group.

The Ohio-based singer created two studio albums with the British heavy metal legends — 1997's "Jugulator" and 2001's "Demolition" — before the band reunited with Rob Halford .

This past January, Tim defended Kenneth "K.K." Downing over the comments the ex- PRIEST guitarist made about his former bandmates in his recently released autobiography, explaining that Downing is "just telling the truth." - Blabbermouth