By KRISTOF G.
KERRY KING
FROM HELL I RISE
Reigning Phoenix Music
Slayer guitarist Kerry King’s first solo record just came out from Reigning Phoenix Music, and we can reassure you it kills, it rips, it slays. Big time. As expected by anyone familiar with the band that made him famous, it sounds like Slayer. How could it be otherwise? Kerry King lived and breathed Slayer from day one – since 1981. He doesn’t need (nor try) to reinvent himself. Why bother? Kerry King is Slayer.
FROM HELL I RISE is a whole lot of fun to listen to. It sounds awesome, thanks to Josh Wilbur (Lamb of God, Megadeth), who produced, mixed and mastered the album. It was recorded in Los Angeles at Henson Studios, where legendary bands such as The Beatles, Black Sabbath, KISS, Ramones, Metallica, Guns n’ Roses, Mötley Crüe, Korn and Rammstein among many others recorded.
King wrote the whole damned thing (music and lyrics). Actually, many of the riffs were written for (or following the release of) Slayer’s Repentless (2015) before King knew Tom Araya wanted to retire. Then, the guitarist worked on arrangements with his longtime drummer Paul Bostaph (Forbidden, Testament, Exodus), with whom he recorded no less than five Slayer studio records (and did countless tours over the course of the fifteen-plus years he spent in the band.
In addition to bassist Kyle Sanders (MonstrO, HellYeah), guitarist Phil Demmel (Vio-Lence, Machine Head) is also on board, which is more than fitting, since he gave a hand to King’s old band for a handful of concerts in 2018. And on vocals, you have one of the very best thrash metal singers who ever walked in hell, Death Angel’s Mark Osegueda. Plus, FROM HELL I RISE features art by the great James Bousema (Municipal Waste, Frozen Soul). Be sure to get the gatefold LP edition because his burning demon is epically magnificent and Dante-esque.
Seriously, all of you real, diehard metalheads out there, you need to stop what you’re doing RIGHT NOW to press play because Kerry King deserves it, and you do, too. You’ll thank me later.
Let’s go down in the depths of Kerry King’s hellish playground, song by song:
“Diablo”
“Where I Reign”
A short instrumental intro sets the record’s tone, which is both ominous and heavier-than-thou. Then, King’s new band kicks it to eleven at full speed, laying relentless riffs over breakneck beats. You instantly know you’re in for a wild ride from the get-go.
“Residue”
“Trophies of Tyrant”
“Tension”
This is a trio of slower tunes with meaner riffs. “Residue” has punk rhythms and breakdowns while Osegueda’s vocals command respect. We can already see pumping fists in concerts.
“Idle Hands”
This is a fast earworm, featuring angry spoken narration that leads into federating screams. Plus, halfway through, we get a fine classic Kerry King solo. Do the Devil’s Work!
“Crucifixation”
“Toxic”
These two songs feature plenty of classic Slayer-style solos and riffs – both fast and slow. And you’ll love it. Enough said!
“Everything I Hate About You”
“Two Fists”
“Rage”
Punk’s never dead. Songs expressing disgust at the horrific state of our society are always a welcome catharsis. “Everything I Hate About You” says everything it has to say in less than a minute and a half. No fat to be found. “Two Fists” could have been featured on Slayer’s Undisputed Attitude (1996) right after their cover of D.I.’s Richard Hung Himself. It’s heavy AF. A real banger. “Rage” is a fast, ruthless cut.
“Shrapnel”
Of course, war is never far away. After all, those deadly world conflicts are the ultimate horror, as they keep coming back for more murder – just like the undead – inspiring yet another great Kerry King song.
“From Hell I Rise”
“Where I Reign” and “From Hell I Rise” are perfect book ends. Their Slaytanic lyrics are interconnected by dying religion and a rising demon (King, of course). Also, lyrics include crystal clear references to Slayer’s classic “Raining/Reign In Blood” – as if King wants to make sure fans know he owes his legacy and wants to prolong it – keeping the flame very much alive.
Stay tuned for our interview with Kerry King, coming this summer before he hits the road in North America with Lamb of God and Mastodon on their co-headline “Ashes of Leviathan” tour Click here for dates.
