Metal music has always had a unique ability to bring people together. After returning to the music scene with a new band and a debut album, legendary Slayer guitarist Kerry King is fully aware of the unifying power of metal. In a recent conversation with Blunt, King offered a thoughtful take on how Slayer’s music has resonated with fans across generations, creating a community that defies age boundaries.
Asked whether he believes Slayer’s music has made its way into the lives of younger listeners, King responded: “I think so. I thought that 20 years ago. You would see older brothers bringing younger siblings or even parents bringing their kids because this kind of music isn’t alienating in a family environment. You know what I mean? Like, it’s not uncool if you like the same music your parents do. It’s like, that’s really cool.”
King went on to explain how this sense of shared appreciation has set metal apart from other genres. “This is one of the odd types of music that that is allowed,” he said. “So, yeah, you see all kinds of… Like, for the first show we did with my solo band, we did a small club outside of Chicago, and I saw a lot of older fans. They knew to go buy the tickets so fast because they were gonna go — it was, like, a 400-seater; it was tiny. So there was a lot of our probably first-generation fans.”
But the magic doesn’t stop with long-time followers. King also observed a steady influx of younger fans donning Slayer and other iconic metal band shirts, noting how the metal community thrives on its intergenerational bond. “All the time I see kids in Slayer shirts, kids in Kerry King shirts, or Metallica, Megadeth. It’s just the type of music, metal. Metal is more of a brotherhood than any kind of music that I can think of.”
King’s insights reflect not only the enduring power of Slayer’s music but also the broader appeal of metal as a genre that bridges gaps and fosters camaraderie. For fans, both young and old, it’s not just about the music — it’s about being part of something much bigger. Whether it’s parents introducing their kids to the music they grew up with or younger fans discovering the genre on their own, the spirit of metal endures, stronger than ever.
