In a recent interview with Sweden Rock, Kerry King, the iconic guitarist from SLAYER, shared his thoughts on touring with his new solo band, which, much to his dismay, bears his own name. King, who spent four decades with SLAYER, expressed a sense of unfamiliarity with his new bandmates, except for drummer Paul Bostaph. He described the experience as “a little fish out of water,” emphasizing the logistical adjustments required when performing with a new lineup. The band, which had only performed six shows by the time of the interview, was still in the process of finding its rhythm.
When asked about the decision to name the band after himself, King revealed his reluctance. He explained that every potential band name he proposed was rejected by trademark attorneys, leading to the eventual use of his own name. “Never in a million years did I wanna do that,” he admitted, but the necessity of announcing their participation in American festivals forced his hand.
King shared some of the names that were considered, such as BLOOD REIGN and KING’S REIGN, the latter of which he and the band liked. However, these names were also dismissed due to trademark issues. King expressed his frustration, noting the difficulty of finding a good band name in today’s landscape.
The European leg of the “From Hell I Rise” tour began on June 3 in Tilburg, Netherlands. The setlist included SLAYER tracks and songs from King’s debut solo album, “From Hell I Rise,” released on May 17 via Reigning Phoenix Music. King wrote all the material for the album, with contributions from his solo band members: Bostaph, bassist Kyle Sanders, guitarist Phil Demmel, and vocalist Mark Osegueda. The album was produced by Josh Wilbur, known for his work with KORN, LAMB OF GOD, and AVENGED SEVENFOLD.
In an interview with France’s Loud TV, King discussed the challenges of starting a new band, despite his extensive history with SLAYER. He acknowledged the difficulties of being lower on the billing and ensuring that his band members were fairly compensated. However, he never considered giving up, driven by the belief that any record could be his last. King expressed confidence in the new material and hoped that fans would enjoy it.
King emphasized the importance of having friends in his band, valuing the camaraderie and lack of drama. He recounted how Mark Osegueda was the only one who did demos with him and Bostaph, and how he eventually offered him the gig in a casual manner. Osegueda’s excitement was palpable, and he quickly informed his family of the news.
King praised Osegueda’s vocal performance on “From Hell I Rise,” noting how the singer pushed himself to new heights. He also highlighted the contributions of Demmel, whose solos elevated the songs, and Sanders, who provided a relentless rhythm section alongside Bostaph.
King’s new band will join LAMB OF GOD and MASTODON for the “Ashes Of Leviathan” North American tour, starting on July 19 in Grand Prairie, Texas, and ending on August 31 in Omaha, Nebraska. The anticipation for these shows is high, especially for fans on the East Coast.
Reflecting on the formation of his new band, King shared how he and Bostaph were eager to continue making music after SLAYER’s final tour. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, they remained productive, with King writing the bulk of the new songs during 2020-2021.
King recounted how he approached Bostaph and Demmel to join his new project, valuing their previous collaborations and friendships. He also mentioned meeting Sanders on the 2016 Mayhem Tour and how their connection led to his inclusion in the band.
King emphasized the importance of having friends in his band, valuing the camaraderie and lack of drama. He recounted how Mark Osegueda was the only one who did demos with him and Bostaph, and how he eventually offered him the gig in a casual manner. Osegueda’s excitement was palpable, and he quickly informed his family of the news.
King praised Osegueda’s vocal performance on “From Hell I Rise,” noting how the singer pushed himself to new heights. He also highlighted the contributions of Demmel, whose solos elevated the songs, and Sanders, who provided a relentless rhythm section alongside Bostaph.
King’s new band will join LAMB OF GOD and MASTODON for the “Ashes Of Leviathan” North American tour, starting on July 19 in Grand Prairie, Texas, and ending on August 31 in Omaha, Nebraska. The anticipation for these shows is high, especially for fans on the East Coast.
Reflecting on the formation of his new band, King shared how he and Bostaph were eager to continue making music after SLAYER’s final tour. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, they remained productive, with King writing the bulk of the new songs during 2020-2021.
King recounted how he approached Bostaph and Demmel to join his new project, valuing their previous collaborations and friendships. He also mentioned meeting Sanders on the 2016 Mayhem Tour and how their connection led to his inclusion in the band.
King’s new album, “From Hell I Rise,” features a mix of blistering tracks that showcase his signature aggressive style. Songs like “Idle Hands” and “Residue” have already received positive reviews, and the album as a whole promises to be a relentless assault on the senses.
King’s vision for his new band is clear: to create music with friends and enjoy the process. Despite the challenges of starting over, he remains committed to his craft and confident in the future of his new project.
