On a recent episode of the “Axe Lords” podcast, featuring Dave Hill, Cindy Hulej, and Tom Beaujour, SLAYER guitarist Kerry King was asked when he first noticed the band’s intensely devoted fanbase.
“People had to stomach it for a while, so it wasn’t record one, wasn’t record two. I’d say somewhere between record three, four and five — maybe record three and four,” Kerry said (as transcribed by Blabbermouth). When you start to get a reputation, people know your music; they’re not just coming to say, ‘Hey, let’s check this out.’ They know it and they wanna see it. So, it’s gotta be that time frame — like, ’86, ’88.”
When asked if he ever becomes desensitized or accustomed to the audience going wild at SLAYER shows, King responded: “I’m kind of used to it, but I really don’t expect it, ’cause when you expect things, then you’re just setting yourself up for failure. So you just go in with a clean slate and see what’s gonna happen when the music hits.”
When asked about the craziest thing he had ever witnessed from the stage, Kerry shared: “The craziest and funniest thing I ever saw was the first time I saw a wheelchair come over — with somebody in it. I was on Jeff‘s [Hanneman, late SLAYER guitarist] side — this was when Jeff was still playing — I was on Jeff‘s side, and we both saw it at the same time. We both just put our heads down because we were both just laughing. Because we weren’t prepared to see that, and then once you saw it, you’re, like, ‘Oh, well, that’s kind of cool. At least they get to partake in the fun as well.’ But just not having that picture in your mind before you see it, you’re just, like, ‘What the f**k?’ I cracked up for a few seconds and carried on.”
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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