THE BEAST

On the May 13 edition of SiriusXM ‘s “Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk,” SLAYER guitarist Kerry King was asked about his perspective on whether the band’s forthcoming reunion performances would bolster or hinder the promotional campaign for his debut solo album, From Hell I Rise .

“I see it both ways,” Kerry responded.” We’ve [ SLAYER ] been turning down [reunion] offers for the last four years. Unfortunately, when the right offer came around, this one, it was right as my project was releasing. So 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.’ And every time I talk about it to journalists and magazines and stuff, I say, ‘Listen,  SLAYER  is not gonna make another record.  SLAYER  is never gonna tour again.’ May  SLAYER  do a one-off here or there? Maybe. I told my [solo] band when [the  SLAYER  reunion shows] came up, I’m, like, ‘Listen, this is a blip on the radar to me. This isn’t a solo project that’s gonna recycle musicians every record cycle. You guys are with me till you don’t wanna be.'”

When asked about whether he sees SLAYER as the kind of endeavor where the band would perform one or two shows annually when significant opportunities arise, he replied: “I’m not even talking yearly. I’m, like, every two years, every three years, every five years. I don’t know. ‘Cause I’m gonna be super busy with [my solo band] once 2025 rolls around.”

Regarding whether he has talked with SLAYER bassist/vocalist Tom Araya since the announcement of the band’s reunion performances, Kerry commented: “I’ll tell you the truth, ’cause you know that’s how I roll. No, we haven’t. But you know what’s weird about that? It’s not weird. [ Laughs ]”

“We’ll go probably rehearse off and on for a couple weeks [before the first show], ’cause even though me and [ SLAYER  drummer]  Paul  [ Bostaph , who is also in  Kerry ‘s solo band] will be sharp from playing, playing with different people, you’ve gotta get sharp together.”

Expanding on his conviction that SLAYER ‘s return performances won’t segue into a complete reunion for the iconic thrash metal outfit, Kerry remarked: “The way I look at it, and when I tell you this, it puts it into perspective for a lot of people, I see it as three five-year anniversary shows of our last tour.”

After concluding their last world tour in November 2019,  SLAYER , featuring  Tom Araya  (bass, vocals),  Kerry King  (guitar),  Gary Holt  (guitar), and  Paul Bostaph  (drums), will headline three prominent festivals,  Riot Fest ,  Louder Than Life  and  Aftershock Festival , marking their first live appearances since then.

King  will release his debut solo album,  From Hell I Rise , on May 17. In addition to  King , the album features  DEATH ANGEL  vocalist  Mark Osegueda , longtime  SLAYER  drummer  Paul Bostaph , former  HELLYEAH  bassist  Kyle Sanders , and ex– MACHINE HEAD  and ex- VIO-LENCE  guitarist  Phil Demmel .

Via MetalAddicts