SLAYER Guitarist Kerry King Opens Up About Solo Band, Reunion Shows, and New Music
In a recent interview wiht Australia’s Spotlight Report, metal legend Kerry King revealed that his solo bandmates were caught off guard by the announcement of SLAYER’s reunion for select festival performances.King admitted he hadn’t informed his solo band about the reunion plans, explaining, ”It never occurred to me – it seemed insignificant.”
While King clarified that he wasn’t trying to downplay the meaning of SLAYER’s return, he emphasized that the reunion will be limited: “SLAYER isn’t recording new music, and we won’t be touring extensively. Though, my band wasn’t aware of this, so they were surprised.”
The 60-year-old guitarist described life post-SLAYER as rewarding, highlighting the strong camaraderie within his new band, which includes vocalist mark Osegueda (DEATH ANGEL), drummer Paul Bostaph (SLAYER), guitarist phil Demmel (MACHINE HEAD, VIO-LENCE), and bassist Kyle Sanders (HELLYEAH).”It’s great playing with these guys,” King shared. “Everyone on stage brings incredible energy and presence. after shows, we hang out, grab drinks, and enjoy each other’s company. It’s a very chill vibe.”
SLAYER’s reunion shows, which took place at Riot Fest in Chicago and Aftershock Festival in Sacramento this past autumn, featured a 20-song setlist packed with fan favorites, including “South Of Heaven,” “Seasons In The Abyss,” “Angel Of Death,” “Hell Awaits,” “Raining Blood,” and the title track from their final album, “Repentless.”
King further elaborated on the differences between performing with his solo band and SLAYER in a separate interview with Australia’s Heavy Magazine.
“There’s definitely a distinct vibe,” King observed. “It feels reminiscent of SLAYER’s early days, except I have decades of experience behind me. The excitement level is similar to when SLAYER first emerged – we all share a genuine passion for playing together. Mark and I are close friends and spend our days off together. It’s just about adjusting to new dynamics. The music feels natural,and the response has been extraordinary. We’re just having a blast.”
he also acknowledged the different mindset required when supporting other artists, a situation uncommon for SLAYER in recent years.
“Essentially, it’s about coming in with a more collaborative approach,” King explained. “With SLAYER, I’m always in charge.But I don’t have an ego, so it’s about adjusting to a different dynamic. I don’t expect everything to be perfect – we’re there to play music and have a good time.”
Regarding reception to his solo album “From Hell I Rise,” King expressed delight, noting that fans are gradually becoming more familiar with the new material.
“The feedback has been incredible,” King enthused. “It already feels like it’s been out for ages, yet it’s only been six months. At shows, more people are singing along each time, which is really cool – it means they’re connecting with the music.”
Looking to the future, King confirmed that a notable amount of material was written during the pandemic, hinting at a possible follow-up to “From Hell I Rise”
“I wrote a lot during that time,” king revealed. “Before Paul and I felt comfortable getting together again, I spent a lot of time composing on my own