New Slayer-Like Music is Coming, Says Kerry King

2024-01-11

Image of Kerry King of Slayer

Kerry King of Slayer says new Slayer music (not really Slayer, but close) is coming – Author Cat Badra, Photo via Anne Erickson

Slayer retired back in November of 2019. That was good timing, considering the world was about to be turned upside-down with the pandemic in 2020. So far, there’s really no sign of a Slayer reunion in the future. But, at least fans have some new music to look forward to that kind of, sort of sounds like Slayer. That new Slayer music (not really Slayer, but similar) is coming from former Slayer guitarist Kerry King.

It’s no secret that King has been working hard on a solo album. It’s one of 2024’s most anticipated releases, at least for metalheads. While he hasn’t set a release date yet, he’s been talking about the new music a lot.

Speaking with Metal Hammer in a new interview, King divulged more about the new solo album. He even said that the album is “an extension” of Slayer.

“If I was ever to try anything different [from Slayer], I guess that would be the time. But no, I really have no desire to do anything different,” King said (via Blabbermouth). “If I wasn’t in Slayer, I would be a Slayer fan. So yes, I think it’s an extension of Slayer, and I think a lot of people will think it might have been the next record. I guess maybe 80 percent of it would have been, maybe it would have been exactly what I’m putting on this one. In my eyes, I think it’s a definite extension, a follow-up to [Slayer’s 2015 final album] ‘Repentless’ for sure.”

So, what will Kerry King’s new solo album sound like? He says, “there’s definitely some fast stuff on it.” But, “it’s not the fastest thing I’ve ever done, but I’ve done some pretty fast stuff. There’s definitely some Herculean speeds getting achieved on this, but there’s heavy stuff. There’s punky stuff. There’s doomy stuff. Pretty much any aspect of any kind of music we’ve done in our history, I think you’ll find on this record.” So, doom, punk and metal? Nice.

King continued with the Slayer comparison, stating, “For me, the slowest [song] is similar in vibe to [Repentless track] ‘When The Stillness Comes.’ That one came out really cool and spooky. And then there was one where my entire intention was to write something like the Scorpions’ ‘Animal Magnetism’ crossed with the ‘chug’ of ‘Hell Awaits.’ That one came together pretty early. I like that song a lot. I mean, I like all of them a lot, but that one, that one’s got a different vibe for sure.”

King also said that even though this is a solo project, it will have more of a band feel. While he didn’t say who is playing with him on the new album, he said that he hopes everyone who’s on the record will “be in the band, hopefully for its entirety.”

All of this is exciting news for those who want to hear new Slayer music. Since it doesn’t seem like Slayer are getting back together, this is the next best thing. I would love to see a Slayer reunion, but I also respect the fact that these guys retired and didn’t pretend, like some other big-named band who will remain unmentioned. King saw the Slayer retirement as “premature,” so we’ll probably get new music from him for years to come.

Love Slayer and thrash? Check out Audio Ink Radio’s list of the best thrash metal bands of all time here.

Cat Badra
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Posted by Cat Badra | Metal, Music, Rock News

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