In a recent interview with Jonathan Clarke on Q104.3, New York’s classic rock station, Kerry King made it clear that Slayer will never tour again. Despite the band’s upcoming reunion shows, King emphasized that these are merely commemorative events marking the five-year anniversary of their farewell tour. “We’ve been turning down offers since the beginning of 2020,” King said. “This is a three-show package. I think it would be fun to do. It’s kind of a five-year anniversary of our last tour. We’re never gonna tour again — it ain’t gonna happen.”
King’s comments come as a surprise to many fans who have been hoping for a full-fledged reunion. However, he was adamant that Slayer will not record new music or embark on another tour. “To do commemorative shows, I think that’s kind of fun. I don’t have to be married to it for a long time,” he explained. “Kids don’t have to worry about it coming around on tour because we said we wouldn’t.”
The upcoming shows will feature the same lineup as their last tour in 2019: King, Tom Araya, Gary Holt, and Paul Bostaph. King expressed excitement about reuniting with his bandmates, especially Holt, whom he hasn’t seen in almost five years. “It’ll be fun to play with Gary Holt for a few gigs,” King said. “And it’ll be cool to get together with Tom Araya and spit some hate out at people, but don’t get used to this being a yearly event.”
King also addressed the timing of the reunion shows, which coincide with the release of his debut solo album, “From Hell I Rise.” He acknowledged that the reunion might overshadow his solo efforts but remained optimistic. “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.'”
Despite the excitement surrounding the reunion, King reiterated that this is not a precursor to more frequent performances. “I’m not even talking yearly. I’m, like, every two years, every three years, every five years. I don’t know,” he said. “I’m gonna be super busy with my solo band once 2025 rolls around.”
Interestingly, King revealed that he hasn’t spoken to Araya since the reunion shows were announced. “I’ll tell you the truth, ’cause you know that’s how I roll. No, we haven’t,” he admitted. “But you know what’s weird about that? It’s not weird. We’ll go probably rehearse off and on for a couple weeks before the first show.”
King’s solo project, “From Hell I Rise,” has been a significant focus for him. He described the album as a continuation of Slayer’s sound but with his unique twist. “It’s a definite extension, a follow-up to [Slayer’s 2015 final album] Repentless for sure,” King told Metal Hammer. However, he also expressed a desire to explore new musical territories in the future.
The announcement of Slayer’s reunion has generated mixed reactions. Some fans are thrilled, while others are skeptical. Tom Araya’s wife, Sandra, revealed on social media that she had to “harass” him for over a year before he agreed to the shows. “We shared that news with Slayer’s awesome managers, and they did the rest!” she wrote.
Gary Holt’s wife, Lisa, also chimed in, urging fans to enjoy the moment. “This isn’t a ‘TOUR’ it’s some dates..and GREAT NEWS!!!” she wrote. “And everyone that thinks they know all the inside info..you can’t possibly know. so just enjoy the fact that this amazing band will play some amazing shows this year…go or don’t..nobody cares!!!!!”
King’s comments to Rolling Stone further solidified his stance on the future of Slayer. “Will Slayer tour again? I’m pretty sure that’s not going to happen. Could Slayer play a show again? I’m sure there’s a scenario,” he said. “Am I looking for it? No, I’m just getting ready to start my [solo] career.”
Slayer’s final show of their farewell tour took place in November 2019 at the Forum in Los Angeles. The band had completed an 18-month trek, performing more than 140 shows in 30 countries and 40 U.S. states. King’s solo project, “From Hell I Rise,” features an all-star cast, including Paul Bostaph, Phil Demmel, Kyle Sanders, and Mark Osegueda. The album was produced by Josh Wilbur, known for his work with Korn, Lamb of God, and Avenged Sevenfold.
As King embarks on his solo journey, he remains a legendary figure in the world of thrash metal. While “From Hell I Rise” may not eclipse his work with Slayer, it represents a new chapter in his illustrious career. For now, fans can look forward to the upcoming reunion shows, knowing that they are witnessing a rare and special event.
