Kerry King Set to Record Second Solo Album in April 2026

Thrash metal lifers, buckle up. Kerry King is heading back into the studio this April 2026 to begin work on his second solo album, the follow-up to 2024’s crushing debut From Hell I Rise. If you thought he was going to slow down after Slayer called it a day, think again. The man is keeping the engine running full throttle.

New Kerry King Album: What We Know So Far

According to recent updates, King already has a solid chunk of material lined up for the new record. He’s been working on lyrics and sharing early ideas with vocalist Mark Osegueda, who’s confirmed the new songs are “vicious.” That’s about as reassuring as it gets if you’re a fan of unfiltered, no-BS thrash.

King has made it clear he’s not trying to reinvent the wheel here. Instead, the plan is simple and old-school: build on what worked.

Keep it heavy. Keep it aggressive. Keep it moving.

Expect the new album to feel like a natural continuation of From Hell I Rise, with that signature razor-wire riffing and street-level attitude that’s defined King’s career for decades.

The Band Behind the Mayhem

King’s solo lineup is stacked with serious firepower, and thankfully, it looks like that chemistry is staying intact:

Mark Osegueda – Vocals

Phil Demmel – Guitar

Kyle Sanders – Bass

Paul Bostaph – Drums

That’s not a side project lineup. That’s a full-on metal war machine.

Sound Direction: More of the Same, and That’s a Good Thing

There’s always that guy asking, “Is he gonna go experimental this time?” Short answer: don’t count on it.

King has already hinted that punk elements may still creep in here and there, but the core mission is staying the same. If anything, he’s doubling down on the formula that made From Hell I Rise hit so hard.

And honestly, that’s the right call. When you’ve spent decades defining a genre, you don’t chase trends. You set them.

Will Josh Wilbur Return?

Producer Josh Wilbur played a major role on the debut, bringing a modern punch to King’s old-school aggression. King has openly praised Wilbur’s hands-on approach and lightning-fast workflow in the studio.

If schedules line up, expect Wilbur back behind the board. That’s a big deal, because that chemistry helped shape the sound fans got hooked on the first time around.

Touring Plans for 2027

Once the album is finished and released, the plan is to hit the road hard in early 2027. King and his band have already signed with Independent Artist Group for representation outside North America, which means a global push is coming.

Given how relentless his 2024 and 2025 touring cycles were, you can expect more of the same:

Festivals

International runs

No-frills, high-volume live shows

The kind where your ears ring for two days and you’re still smiling about it.

Why This Album Matters

Let’s call it straight. A lot of legacy artists fade out or play it safe. King isn’t doing either.

This second solo album is about proving that the fire didn’t go out with Slayer. If anything, it just found a new outlet.

And with a killer lineup, a proven producer, and a clear direction, there’s a real shot this follow-up could hit even harder than the debut.

Final Thoughts

Kerry King heading back into the studio in April 2026 isn’t just another album cycle. It’s a statement.

No gimmicks. No nostalgia act. Just pure, unfiltered metal from a guy who helped write the rulebook in the first place.

Stay tuned. This one’s gonna be loud.