Ripper Owens

Ripper Owens

Ripper Owens is an American heavy metal singer from Sherman, United States. He is best known for leading Judas Priest and later Iced Earth, and he also appears in several other metal projects and tribute acts.

Early bands and breakthrough

Before joining Judas Priest in 1996, Owens sings in the heavy metal band Brainicide. He later performs with Winter's Bane and records the album Heart of a Killer in 1993. He also fronts a Judas Priest tribute band called British Steel, named after the Judas Priest album.

Owens first gains wider attention when he moves from being a fan of Judas Priest to becoming their lead singer. He records two studio albums with the band, along with two live albums and a DVD release. He also helps write the Judas Priest song “What’s My Name?”, which appears as a bonus track on Demolition. His time with the band contributes to the later film Rock Star, which is said to have been inspired by his story.

Work with Iced Earth and later projects

In 2003, after Matt Barlow leaves Iced Earth, Owens becomes the band’s new vocalist. Their first album together, The Glorious Burden, is released in 2004. He has already toured with Iced Earth and Anthrax in 2001 while still singing with Judas Priest, but that tour ends early.

Owens later reunites with his former Winter's Bane colleague Dennis Hayes in Beyond Fear. The group’s self-titled debut album is released in 2006. He also fronts Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force, taking over from Doogie White in 2008.

Solo work and other bands

Owens releases his first solo album, Play My Game, in 2009. The record includes contributions from a number of well-known metal musicians.

He also performs with Charred Walls of the Damned, a band founded in 2009 by Richard Christy. The group includes Christy on drums, Owens on vocals, Steve DiGiorgio on bass and Jason Suecof on lead guitar. Their debut album is released on Metal Blade Records.

Owens is also a member of the tribute band HAIL!, which is formed in late 2008 by Owens, Jimmy DeGrasso, David Ellefson and Andreas Kisser.