Kerry King to release debut solo album in May: New song “Idle Hands” available

Kerry King, the guitarist of Slayer, is set to release his debut solo album, titled “From Hell I Rise,” on May 17. The album features collaborations with Death Angel singer Mark Osegueda, longtime Slayer drummer Paul Bostaph, former Hellyeah bassist Kyle Sanders, and ex-Machine Head and Vio-Lence guitarist Phil Demmel. The 13-track album was recorded with Josh Wilbur, the longstanding producer for Lamb Of God.

The lead single, “Idle Hands,” is already available for streaming.

In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, King shared insights into the album, mentioning that the title track, “From Hell I Rise,” and another song, “Rage,” were originally part of Slayer‘s “Repentless” sessions. Explaining the inclusion on his solo record, King said:

“It was finished, we recorded it. I wasn’t happy with the performance part of it, so I was like, ‘All right, I’ll put this in my back pocket until the next SLAYER record.’ And that didn’t happen, so it’s now on my record.”

Addressing the choice of the band name, Kerry King, he revealed that the original intention was “KING’S REIGN,” but concerns about potential associations with Slayer led to the final decision. The lineup came together with Paul Bostaph and Phil Demmel, who had previously filled in for Slayer, and Mark Osegueda, chosen for his versatility and distinct vocal style.

King also acknowledged that Pantera‘s Philip Anselmo was considered for the role of the singer in his new project. However, after due diligence, King opted for Mark Osegueda, emphasizing Osegueda’s versatility and suitability for the project’s direction.

The debut solo album, “From Hell I Rise,” promises a unique musical venture, showcasing King’s collaboration with accomplished musicians across the metal scene.