Rare Photo of K.K. Downing and Glenn Tipton from the ‘Jugulator’ Era Surfaces, Sparks Late ’90s Nostalgia for Judas Priest Fans…..
June 26, 2025 — Judas Priest devotees have been sent into a nostalgic frenzy after a newly unearthed photograph of guitar legends K.K. Downing and Glenn Tipton from the Jugulator era of 1997–1998 appeared on social media earlier this week. The image, which captures the iconic duo side-by-side, sporting the intense looks and distinctive style of the late ’90s, is stirring up long-buried memories of one of the most experimental and controversial periods in Judas Priest’s long-running history.
That period — marked by Jugulator, the band’s first album with Tim “Ripper” Owens on vocals — was a time of turbulence and transition. Rob Halford had left the fold in 1992 to pursue solo interests, and Priest had regrouped with Owens to embrace a heavier, darker sound that reflected the changing tides of metal. Released in October 1997, Jugulator divided fans but showcased the grit and resilience of the band, and this new photograph offers a candid look at K.K. and Tipton at a pivotal point in their career.
In the image, K.K. Downing sports his signature long, bleached-blond hair cascading over a leather jacket adorned with studs — an aesthetic that would have fit right into a Metal Hammer cover of the time. Next to him, Glenn Tipton looks every bit the guitar hero, dressed in a black sleeveless top with his Gibson flying V slung across his chest, and his hair teased up in a shaggy style that screams late-’90s rebellion. Both men wear intense, determined expressions, signaling the energy and drive they brought to Priest’s live performances even as they experimented with a heavier, thrash-influenced sound on Jugulator.
The image has captivated fans on forums and social media alike. “That was an era most people overlook,” wrote one fan on a Judas Priest subreddit. “K.K. and Glenn were pushing the boundaries back then. Say what you want about Jugulator, but the guitar work is absolutely ferocious.” Another fan remarked, “Those late-’90s photos of Glenn are so cool — it’s like seeing a different side of him, someone more dangerous and raw.” Many noted that Glenn Tipton, often perceived as the more reserved of Priest’s legendary twin-guitar attack, displayed a very distinct style during this period — leather and studs, sure, but with a gritty, less polished look that reflected the weightier tones of tracks like “Dead Meat,” “Burn in Hell,” and “Abductors.”
For Judas Priest and their followers, the Jugulator years weren’t just about surviving Halford’s departure; they were about proving that they could endure and even innovate. The band embraced down-tuned guitars and more aggressive rhythms that echoed the rise of Pantera and Fear Factory in the mid-’90s. Tipton and Downing wove their guitar lines into a thunderous wall of sound that challenged listeners who had been expecting the more traditional heavy-metal fare they were famous for in the ’80s.
The recent resurgence of interest in this period — fueled by rare photos like this one — underscores just how enduring the fascination is with every chapter of the Judas Priest story. Even though Jugulator was initially met with mixed reactions, it is now being re-examined with a new appreciation by fans and younger listeners discovering it for the first time. Many praise the guitar interplay between K.K. and Glenn on these tracks as some of their most savage and inventive work. And the image, which seems to capture that creative tension perfectly, is a reminder of how committed the band was to evolving, even when faced with uncertain times.
K.K. Downing left Judas Priest in 2011 and has since pursued new projects like KK’s Priest — his own band that pays homage to his legacy. Glenn Tipton, despite battling Parkinson’s disease, continues to write and record with Priest, making special live appearances when his health allows. Even more than two decades later, the chemistry between these two guitar titans and the risks they took during this chapter of Judas Priest’s career stand as a testament to their enduring creative partnership.
As the new photograph continues to circulate online, it offers an evocative glimpse into the past for longtime fans and a conversation starter for newer ones. Whether you were there in the crowd during the Jugulator tour or are just now delving into Priest’s post-Halford catalogue, one thing is clear — this was a band determined to make their mark, whatever the cost. And by the looks on K.K. and Glenn’s faces in this newly uncovered photo, they were more than ready for the challenge.
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