Get ready to headbang, metalheads! Kerry King, the legendary SLAYER guitarist, just tore up the stage in Osaka, Japan, with his solo band, delivering a setlist that blended his new material with classic SLAYER, BLACK SABBATH, and IRON MAIDEN tracks. But here's where it gets controversial: while fans are thrilled to hear these iconic riffs, some are already debating whether King's solo work truly stands apart from his SLAYER legacy. Is it a fresh start, or just more of the same? Let’s dive in.
On Thursday, October 16, Kerry King and his powerhouse band headlined a show at Big Cat in Osaka, Japan, treating fans to a 20-song setlist that showcased both his solo material and his deep roots in metal history. According to Setlist.fm, the night kicked off with Where I Reign and Rage, before diving into tracks like Trophies of the Tyrant and Residue. SLAYER classics like Repentless, Disciple, and Raining Blood were crowd-pleasers, while covers of IRON MAIDEN’s Purgatory and BLACK SABBATH’s Wicked World added a nostalgic twist. And this is the part most people miss: King isn’t just rehashing old glories—he’s weaving his solo identity into the fabric of these performances, blending the familiar with the new.
Fan-filmed footage of the entire gig is available online, giving everyone a front-row seat to the raw energy of the show. Joining King on stage are heavy-hitting musicians: vocalist Mark Osegueda (DEATH ANGEL), guitarist Phil Demmel (MACHINE HEAD, VIO-LENCE), bassist Kyle Sanders (HELLYEAH), and drummer Paul Bostaph (SLAYER). Together, they’re not just a band—they’re a metal supergroup, and their chemistry is undeniable.
In an April interview with Igor Miranda of Rolling Stone Brasil, King teased plans for a follow-up to his solo debut, From Hell I Rise, released in May 2024 via Reigning Phoenix Music. He revealed he’s already written two new songs since returning from his U.S. tour in February, and the band is eager to hit the studio again. King’s vision? Keep the momentum going. “Ideally, in my perfect world, it would be done this year,” he said, emphasizing his desire to record while the band is still “firing on all cylinders” from touring.
Here’s where it gets interesting: When asked if he’d explore new influences, like punk rock, on the next album, King hinted that punk is already part of his DNA. Tracks like Everything I Hate About You and Two Fists from From Hell I Rise showcase his punk roots, and he’s not ruling out further experimentation. But here’s the question: Is King’s solo work an evolution or a continuation of his SLAYER days? Let us know what you think in the comments.
Working with producer Josh Wilbur (KORN, LAMB OF GOD, AVENGED SEVENFOLD) on From Hell I Rise was a game-changer for King. “He’s like the extra person in the band,” King said, praising Wilbur’s lightning-fast skills with Pro Tools. While King admits he couldn’t always follow Wilbur’s process, he appreciated his hands-on approach and fresh ideas. “I’m open to ideas,” King said, “and he had a couple that I didn’t—I’m like, ‘I like that. I can’t believe I didn’t think of that.’” Will Wilbur return for the second album? King hopes so, but it all depends on their schedules aligning.
King’s solo journey began with a headlining tour in January 2025, kicking off at the Regency Ballroom in San Francisco. Supported by MUNICIPAL WASTE and ALIEN WEAPONRY, the tour wrapped at the House of Blues in Las Vegas in February. Every track on From Hell I Rise was written by King himself, recorded in 2023 at Henson Recording Studios in Los Angeles. And yes, he even handled the demo vocals—though he’s quick to admit, “I’m not a singer. I’m a guitar player.”
Last year, King addressed the inevitable comparisons to SLAYER. “I’m not afraid of that,” he said, confident that From Hell I Rise holds its own against SLAYER’s catalog. But he also acknowledged the critics: “There will be people complaining, ‘Why does it sound like SLAYER?’ And ‘Why doesn’t it sound more like SLAYER?’ That’s just what people do.” It’s a fine line, and King is walking it with purpose.
From his first live show at Reggies in Chicago in May 2024 to massive U.S. festivals like Welcome To Rockville and Sonic Temple, King’s solo band has been on a relentless rise. His European tour, which began on his 60th birthday in Tilburg, The Netherlands, included headline shows and festival appearances across the U.K., Germany, Italy, Spain, and more. The band even supported LAMB OF GOD and MASTODON on the “Ashes Of Leviathan” tour, wrapping up in Omaha, Nebraska, in August 2024.
So, here’s the big question: Is Kerry King’s solo career a bold new chapter, or a loving tribute to his SLAYER roots? Does it matter? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—we want to hear from you!
