As the singer of Judas Priest from the mid-1990s to the early 2000s, Tim “Ripper” Owens was known more his biography than for his considerable vocal abilities. Though some fans may consider it a blasphemous statement, he is just as good a singer as Rob Halford – if not better. He is one of the best singers today, maybe in all of metal history. Irrefutable proof is available in the form of the self-titled debut from his new band, Beyond Fear.

If you’re looking for a comparison, Beyond Fear’s sound is reminiscent of Judas Priest’s Painkiller, kicking off with the screeching vocals and pounding double bass of “Scream Machine.” This song would be perfectly at home in any Priest set list. “Scream Machine” plus the menacing, serial-killer-inspired “And … You Will Die” and the slower, groove-heavy “Save Me” make for an unforgettable opening to the album. And amazingly, there’s no let down after these fabulous tracks. Songs like “The Human Race,” “Coming at You,” “I Don’t Need This,” “Your Time Has Come” and a celebration of heavy metal called “The Faith” are just as memorable.

Owens does not rely solely on the familiar high-pitched vocals, displaying a tremendous range throughout the album. The band also varies the tempo from track to track, keeping listeners on their toes. The common links are that it’s all heavy, save the ballad “Dreams Come True,” and Owens’ spellbinding performance. It’s so refreshing to hear a metal band emerge today with actual singing rather than indecipherable screaming. There is a place for that if it’s done well, but I’d rather have Owens’ melodies any day.

Not to be overlooked is the guitar work of John Comprix, who co-wrote half of the songs with Owens. No classic metal album is complete without blistering guitar solos, and Comprix delivers on that front.

Though Owens plans to take Beyond Fear on tour through the summer, his other band, Iced Earth, remains his top priority – for now. If enough people hear Beyond Fear, I have a feeling it will be hard for him to keep it on the back burner.