For decades, Kerry King has been synonymous with thrash metal. As the co-founding guitarist of Slayer, his aggressive riffs and uncompromising style have defined a genre and influenced countless musicians. For anyone unfamiliar, Kerry King isn’t just a guitarist; he is the Slayer Guitar Player, a title earned through relentless dedication to heavy, aggressive music. His signature sound, a potent blend of thrash, punk’s raw energy, and metal’s intensity, has provided the soundtrack for generations of headbangers, with anthems like “Mandatory Suicide,” “Hell Awaits,” and the iconic “Raining Blood” becoming staples of the metal canon.
Concerns about whether this legendary slayer guitar player might have mellowed after Slayer’s farewell tour in November 2019 were quickly dispelled by the debut single from his new band, “Idle Hands.” Kerry King himself affirmed his unwavering commitment to creating powerful music. “I knew early on that I wasn’t done,” King stated, “and I had no intention of not continuing to play.” Even symbolically leaving behind his trademark chains at Slayer’s final show was less a retirement gesture and more a shedding of one skin for the next chapter.
King’s new album, From Hell I Rise, recorded primarily at Henson Studios in Los Angeles in a mere two weeks, is a testament to his enduring creative fire. The 13-track album, unleashed on May 17th via Reigning Phoenix Music across all formats, is packed with blistering tracks. Standouts like “Crucifixation,” “Toxic,” “Residue,” and the undeniably catchy “Tension” showcase the signature elements that make Kerry King a celebrated slayer guitar player. There’s not a single weak track to be found. The song structures and lyrical themes are unmistakably born from the mind of Slayer’s axeman, making this album a true soundtrack for the apocalypse, guaranteed to ignite mosh pits and riotous energy wherever the band performs.
This isn’t a mere side project; Kerry King, both the band and the individual, is on a mission to dominate the metal conversation. While Slayer has announced reunion appearances at a few festivals in the fall, including Aftershock 2024 in Sacramento, King’s primary focus is his new band. They are committed to extensive touring. The seeds of this project were sown long before the pandemic, and King has been in a prolific writing phase, possibly even more creatively charged than during his Slayer years.
Despite the buzz surrounding Slayer’s return, From Hell I Rise emphatically establishes Kerry King’s new band as a force to be reckoned with. It’s far more than a distraction; it’s a powerful statement. The lineup itself is a metal enthusiast’s dream, featuring Bay Area heavyweights: longtime Slayer drummer Paul Bostaph (also of Forbidden fame), guitarist Phil Demmel (formerly of Vio-Lence and Machine Head, and member of supergroup Category 7), Death Angel vocalist Mark Osegueda, and bassist Kyle Sanders (Hellyeah). This collective firepower is more than enough to satisfy even the most devoted Slayer fan, craving the unmistakable sound of a true slayer guitar player.
Watch “Kerry King – Idle Hands (Official Audio)”
As fortunate timing would have it, the band is set to join Lamb Of God and Mastodon on the “Ashes of Leviathan Tour” across the U.S., commencing on July 19th in Grand Prairie, TX, and concluding in La Vista, Nebraska, at the end of August.
In a recent interview, Kerry King offered insights into the album’s creation and his future plans:
CBS SF: After listening to the full album, it’s clear it’s a powerhouse from start to finish. How long have these songs been in development? Were any riffs originally intended for Slayer?
Kerry King: “There are two complete songs on this album that were leftovers from Repentless, and they were even lyrically complete back then, but I wasn’t completely satisfied with how they turned out. I held onto them for the next Slayer record, but there never was another Slayer record, so they became part of my new album. Some of these riffs, like the core of ‘Residue,’ are probably over 20 years old. I could never quite find the missing pieces to finish it. This time, I managed to complete it. It’s one of those songs I always knew I wanted to use but didn’t want to release prematurely. I’ve written tons of material since Slayer ended, and even more since From Hell I Arise was finished, so album number two is already taking shape nicely.” This reveals the depth of King’s songwriting archive and his constant creative drive as a slayer guitar player.
CBS SF: Your band is comprised of veterans from the Bay Area metal scene. Was that intentional?
Kerry King: “It wasn’t a deliberate choice, but it just worked out that way. I’ve known these guys—especially everyone from the Bay Area—for decades. All of them except Mark [Osegueda] were looking for work. Paul and I were definitely out of work. Phil Demmel also became available early on and contributed to demos from the beginning. Every few weeks, he’d come down to play, and our sound would improve. Phil is an incredible player, and Mark is undeniably one of the best singers in thrash metal. The heart of thrash certainly beats in the Bay Area. While we were based in Southern California with Slayer, even Metallica, despite their Bay Area origins, ended up in Southern California.” King’s explanation highlights the organic formation of the band and the deep-rooted connections within the thrash metal community.
“I met Kyle in 2015 on the Mayhem Tour, and we became fast friends. I knew if I ever needed a bassist, he’d be my first call. He’s my East Coast connection. Paul and I have been working together on and off since the early ’90s, so the talent and the friendship are already there. I’m glad I could offer these guys an opportunity when they were between projects. Now, we’re moving forward to show everyone what we’re capable of.” This emphasizes the camaraderie and shared history within the band, solidifying their collective strength.
Watch “Kerry King – Residue (Official Music Video)”
CBS SF: A full U.S. tour is already scheduled. Do you plan to keep the Kerry King Band active in 2025?
Kerry King: “Absolutely. I’d like to book something between October and December 2024, but if promoters think that’s too soon, it’ll happen shortly after the New Year when business picks up again. Five weeks in Europe is too short for any kind of tour, whether it’s festivals or anything else. We want to return and do a proper headlining tour there. We’ll probably do a headlining tour in the States too, or switch gears and release our next album. We will definitely be busy.” King’s commitment to touring and future releases underscores his long-term vision for the band.
CBS SF: Do you have a preference between festivals and headlining shows?
Kerry King: “It’s tough to choose. I enjoy both. If I had to pick, I’d probably lean towards headlining. At festivals, you’re just one act in a massive lineup, and there are a lot of competing elements.” This reveals his perspective on different performance environments.
CBS SF: Were there any songs that didn’t make it onto the album?
Kerry King: “Definitely. Within three months of Paul and I starting to work together, we had so many songs. I suggested, ‘Let’s shift focus and finish the ones that already have lyrics or titles, or songs close to being done, for this record, so we don’t spread ourselves too thin and get burnt out.’ Before we finalized the tracklist, we demoed all the songs in progress at that point, and those are the ones I’ll revisit when I start working on new material. Actually, when we finally go on tour, I plan to use the days off to really focus on finishing lyrics and other details. Once we’re back home and the tour cycle is over, we can go straight back into the studio and get more music out.” This provides insight into his prolific songwriting process and the band’s future output.
CBS SF: Why no Bay Area show scheduled yet? It seems like one of your biggest markets, along with Los Angeles and New York.
Kerry King: “I’m guessing Lamb of God has played the Bay Area recently. There’s no New York City show on this leg either, so I assume Lamb of God also played there not too long ago. We’re playing sheds in some B and C markets for now, but when we return, we’ll be hitting the other major cities.” This explains the tour routing and hints at future plans to play in major markets like the Bay Area.
CBS SF: What are your earliest memories of touring with Mark Osegueda and Phil Demmel before forming this band?
Kerry King: “My earliest memories are pretty hazy, as that was probably 40 years ago. I’ve known Mark since he was a teenager singing in Death Angel. I remember them opening for us, and Mark always reminds me he did it when he was barely 18 and still a kid. Beyond that, Death Angel toured with us again around 2016 or 2017. Before that, we were in different circles.”
“As for Phil, I knew Phil from Vio-Lence, but I don’t really remember that period either. We toured with Machine Head a lot, and unless we were at the same festivals or venues, I wouldn’t see him. However, whenever I was off the road and he was passing through, or vice versa, we’d always connect to talk music.” King’s reflections on his history with bandmates underscore the long-standing relationships within the metal scene.
CBS SF: Have you collaborated with anyone outside of your band on music that might be released someday?
Kerry King: “No. This isn’t a solo project. Kerry King [the band] just happens to have my name on it. This is my band, and it will be until we decide to stop. Hopefully, that’s when we’re all old and ready to retire to our porches. These are my guys now, so get used to them.” King firmly establishes the band as a collective entity, not just a vehicle for his solo work, emphasizing the long-term commitment and band dynamic.
Kerry King’s return is not just a comeback; it’s a reaffirmation of his place as a leading slayer guitar player in thrash metal. From Hell I Rise and his new band are poised to deliver the furious, uncompromising metal that fans have come to expect and crave from this iconic guitarist.
