SLAYER’s KERRY KING On Going Solo: ‘It’s More Difficult Than I Thought’

Kerry King Loud Tv Interview

During a recent interview with France’s Loud TV, SLAYER guitarist Kerry King discussed his upcoming debut solo album release.

King will release 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.

As what was it like launching new project, Kerry said: “It’s kind of funny to have 40 years in this business at all, let alone be starting a new band. It’s funny, our first show in Europe is gonna be on my 60th birthday at the only venue I’ve ever canceled in my life, which is super ironic.”

Pointing out SLAYER‘s absence from the studio album scene since 2015 and their hiatus from live performances since 2019, King further remarked: “I’m obviously not done. I’ve got lots more music and lots more things to say, a lot more people to piss off and argue about. So, let’s start this new endeavor now. Move on.”

Agreeing with the interviewer’s observation that embarking on a new venture after several decades in his career requires “courage,” King nodded: “It is a lot more difficult than I thought. I’ve been kind of pampered for the last at least three decades. And starting over, even though I have a gigantic history in SLAYER, starting over, you’re still starting over — you’re lower on the bills, you’re not making the [same kind of] money. Having to figure out how to make sure everybody in my band makes money so it’s worth their time. But, yeah, never for a second did I consider not going on, because at this point in life, any record could be your last. I don’t think this is my last record, but I have to move on like it is. So put it out, hope the fans like it, hope the fans show up. I like it. I think the fans are gonna like it, and I think we’re gonna have a lot of good times.”

From Hell I Rise track listing:

01. Diablo
02. Where I Reign
03. Residue
04. Idle Hands
05. Trophies Of The Tyrant
06. Crucifixation
07. Tension
08. Everything I Hate About You
09. Toxic
10. Two Fists
11. Rage
12. Shrapnel
13. From Hell I Rise