There is still time for K.K. to change his mind but either way there is going to be a studio album out next year. I highly doubt he will come back,but stranger things have happened. K.K. will always be the heart of Priest's spirit but that doesn't mean the new album doesn't have a chance at being a classic itself even though it will not beat Sad Wings or Painkiller,I really think the new LP will stun alot of people,if its a dud we will all be butt hurt but I have a hunch it will be killer.