Former JUDAS PRIEST frontman Tim "Ripper" Owens, who recorded two studio albums with the band before PRIEST reunited with Rob Halford in 2003, was asked by the "Focus On Metal" podcast which songs from his era of the group he would like to hear Rob perform live with PRIEST. "I think Rob… So many of the songs he would sound so good on," Tim said. "And it would be nice, really, because it was a big song live, I think 'Burn In Hell' would be a great one for Rob to do, because it was one of our more popular ones. And on 'Demolition', 'Bloodsuckers', which was about the court case that they had, would be a good one. But I think 'Burn In Hell' would be a perfect one to stick in there at a show or two just for the fact of a little nod to that era. And I also think Rob would sing it freakin' unbelievable." This past January, Owens praised Halford, saying that he has been impressed with Halford's performances on the "Firepower" tour. "I think Rob's probably singing better now than he has in a long, long time," Tim said. "He sounds absolutely phenomenal. And it's great to hear some of these classic songs that he's singing on stage. That's a great thing… Like I said, Rob is singing so good now — he really is. And he looks good, and I think he feels good." Owens joined PRIEST in 1996 and appeared on 1997's "Jugulator" and 2001's "Demolition" albums. The Ohio-based singer recently told "Talking Metal" that JUDAS PRIEST's management requested that he stop using artwork related to his time with the group to promote his solo shows. Earlier this year, Owens defended Downing over the comments the ex-PRIEST guitarist made about his former bandmates in his recently released autobiography, explaining that K.K. is "just telling the truth." Owens currently tours the world as a solo artist and performs as the lead singer of several bands, including SPIRITS OF FIRE, CHARRED WALLS OF THE DAMNED, A NEW REVENGE, DIO DISCIPLES and THE THREE TREMORS. Additionally, the movie "Rock Star" (Mark Wahlberg, Jennifer Aniston) was loosely based on Owens's time in JUDAS PRIEST.
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