Rolling Stone has unveiled its list of the 100 best albums of 2024, with SLAYER guitarist Kerry King‘s debut solo album, From Hell I Rise, standing as the only metal entry this year.
Coming in at #93 on the list, From Hell I Rise is reviewed by Rolling Stone writer K.G., who noted: “The first solo album from former SLAYER guitarist Kerry King is basically the ‘Still D.R.E.’ of thrash metal. But where Dr. Dre wanted to remind his fans that he was still puffin’ his leafs, still f**king with beats, and still not lovin’ police after close to a decade’s absence, King wants his fans to understand that even though SLAYER are essentially hell bound, he’s still Satan’s preeminent ambassador. On From Hell I Rise, King is still drinkin’ his tequila, still f**king with riffs, and still not lovin’ the priests. In other words, it sounds like SLAYER — and at times, SLAYER at their best.”
The full list of The 100 Best Albums of 2024 is available on Rollingstone.com. Topping the list is Charli XCX‘s Brat, followed by Beyoncé’s country album Cowboy Carter at #2, and MJ Lenderman’s Manning Fireworks securing the #3 spot.
King released his debut solo album, From Hell I Rise, on May 17. In addition to King, the album features DEATH ANGEL vocalist Mark Osegueda, longtime SLAYER drummer Paul Bostaph, former HELLYEAH bassist Kyle Sanders, and ex–MACHINE HEAD and ex-VIO-LENCE guitarist Phil Demmel.
According to King, the new music consists of “various religious topics, some war entries, heavy stuff, punky stuff, doomy stuff, and spooky stuff, with Herculean speeds achieved. If you’ve ever liked any SLAYER throughout any part of our history,” he adds, “there’s something on this record that you’ll get into, be it classic punk, fast punk, thrash, or just plain heavy metal!”
As King admits, “Even with a record in the can, I’ve still got so many songs that need to be finished. This is what I know how to do…number one being music, number two being metal. It’s been a part of my life for 40 years, and I’m nowhere near being done.”
Reeder, the visionary behind Metal Addicts, has transformed his lifelong passion for metal into a thriving online community for metal aficionados. As a fervent devotee of black metal, Reeder is captivated by its dark, atmospheric, and often unorthodox soundscapes.