One of the most talked about topics in the metal world this year has been the Slayer reunion shows. The legendary thrash band is reuniting for three festival appearances this fall: Riot Fest in Chicago, on 9/22, Louder Than Life in Kentucky on 09/27, and Aftershock in California on 10/10. But before you start dusting off your mosh pit boots and salivating about more live appearances, there’s a crucial detail you need to know: this isn’t a full-fledged comeback.
Speaking to U.K.’s Metal Hammer magazine about his upcoming debut solo album, “From Hell I Rise”, guitarist Kerry King revealed that this reunion won’t lead to new music or extensive touring. While acknowledging that the announcement of Slayer‘s festival dates “was not my favorite timing”, Kerry poured cold water on hopes of a recording and touring reunion, saying that such comeback “is not going to translate into recording and it’s not going to translate into touring. For me, it’s three shows marking five years since our final shows, a fun, ‘Hey, remember us from before the pandemic?’ celebration.”
The interview also sheds light on the icy relationship between King and Slayer‘s vocalist Tom Araya. King admits they haven’t spoken since the reunion announcement, but assures fans there’s no animosity. They’ve simply become “business partners” with differing interests. However, professionalism will prevail, and King assures a seamless performance when rehearsals begin.
“It’s not like I’m angry with him or anything. We’re very different people, and we evolved into business partners at the end of the day. He has very different interests from me and very different outlooks. Does that make me hate him? No. But I don’t need to talk to him every day… We just don’t have much in common. When it comes time to rehearse, I’ll have no problem showing up. We’re professionals, and that’s what we do.”
Meanwhile, King isn’t letting Slayer‘s pause hold him back. He’s gearing up for the release of his debut solo album, “From Hell I Rise,” and seems energized by the new venture: “I still write riffs that make me lift my guitar over my head and do a little victory dance because I’m so stoked with how they sound. There’s a whole new energy to this record and a whole new excitement, but it’s not a whole new me, because I’m not finished being me. And if you like what Kerry King does as much as I like what Kerry King does, you won’t be disappointed.”
“I think of myself as a fan first, so if I’m into it and I think it’s something really special, I think my fans are going to think it’s awesome,” Kerry adds.
Joining the 59-year-old guitarist on the LP are Death Angel singer Mark Osegueda, longtime Slayer drummer Paul Bostaph, former HellYeah bassist Kyle Sanders, and ex-Machine Head and Vio-Lence guitarist Phil Demmel.
Pre-order “From Hell I Rise” HERE.
