In a recent interview with Andrew Daly of ClassicRockHistory.com, Kerry King was asked about his perspective on SLAYER‘s forthcoming reunion shows.
He said: “It’s not really much different at all. It’s the same heads, same cabs, same pedals, same guitars. You know, there will be a lot of fire when SLAYER plays, and I think, yeah, those shows will just be fun. It’ll be fun to play with Gary Holt [SLAYER guitarist] for a few gigs; I haven’t seen him in almost five years, so that will be cool. And it’ll be cool to get together with Tom Araya [SLAYER bassist/vocalist] and spit some hate out at people, but don’t get used to this being a yearly event.”
On the May 13 edition of SiriusXM‘s “Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk,” King was asked about his perspective on whether the band’s forthcoming reunion performances would bolster or hinder the promotional campaign for his debut solo album, From Hell I Rise.
“I see it both ways,” Kerry responded.” We’ve [SLAYER] been turning down [reunion] offers for the last four years. Unfortunately, when the right offer came around, this one, it was right as my project was releasing. So there’s certainly people, like my management and booking agents, who say, ‘Oh, that’s great. It’s gonna boost your solo thing.’ And I’m, like, ‘Well, I don’t know the business side of it, but it is what it is.’ And every time I talk about it to journalists and magazines and stuff, I say, ‘Listen, SLAYER is not gonna make another record. SLAYER is never gonna tour again.’ May SLAYER do a one-off here or there? Maybe. I told my [solo] band when [the SLAYER reunion shows] came up, I’m, like, ‘Listen, this is a blip on the radar to me. This isn’t a solo project that’s gonna recycle musicians every record cycle. You guys are with me till you don’t wanna be.’”
When asked about whether he sees SLAYER as the kind of endeavor where the band would perform one or two shows annually when significant opportunities arise, he replied: “I’m not even talking yearly. I’m, like, every two years, every three years, every five years. I don’t know. ‘Cause I’m gonna be super busy with [my solo band] once 2025 rolls around.”
Regarding whether he has talked with SLAYER bassist/vocalist Tom Araya since the announcement of the band’s reunion performances, Kerry commented: “I’ll tell you the truth, ’cause you know that’s how I roll. No, we haven’t. But you know what’s weird about that? It’s not weird. [Laughs]”
“We’ll go probably rehearse off and on for a couple weeks [before the first show], ’cause even though me and [SLAYER drummer] Paul [Bostaph, who is also in Kerry‘s solo band] will be sharp from playing, playing with different people, you’ve gotta get sharp together.”
Expanding on his conviction that SLAYER‘s return performances won’t segue into a complete reunion for the iconic thrash metal outfit, Kerry remarked: “The way I look at it, and when I tell you this, it puts it into perspective for a lot of people, I see it as three five-year anniversary shows of our last tour.”
After concluding their last world tour in November 2019, SLAYER, featuring Tom Araya (bass, vocals), Kerry King (guitar), Gary Holt (guitar), and Paul Bostaph (drums), will headline three prominent festivals, Riot Fest, Louder Than Life and Aftershock Festival, marking their first live appearances since then.
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.
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