Slayer is one of the most iconic thrash metal bands in history. They cranked out a dozen studio albums that remain go-to listens for metalheads of all ages. Additionally, they’ve influenced generations of bands and musicians. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end and Slayer’s reign over metal is no exception. At the moment, it looks like the band’s members have collectively decided to hang it up. Fortunately, Kerry King is still out there making music to fill the void.
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King, who served as one of the band’s guitarists and songwriters released his debut solo record From Hell I Rise in May 2024. The 13-track collection is packed with riffs, lyrics, and solos that harken back to old-school Slayer. In short, those who overlooked the album upon release are missing out.
Songs That Will Get Slayer Fans Hooked on Kerry King’s From Hell I Rise
Kerry King wrote all 13 tracks on From Hell I Rise and assembled a killer band to bring those tunes to life. King enlisted former Slayer drummer Paul Bostaph to man the kit. He also chose former Machine Head guitarist Phil Demmel, former HELLYEAH bassist Kyle Sanders, and Death Angel’s former vocalist Mark Osegueda.
King and Bostaph bring the same chemistry and stylistic choices to this project that they brought to Slayer. Additionally, Osegueda’s vocals sound much like Tom Araya’s. So, fans of the band will likely dig From Hell I Rise if they give it a chance. Let’s dig in.
1. “Diablo” into “Where I Reign”
Kerry King opens From Hell I Rise with “Diablo,” a driving instrumental track built around a monolith riff and Paul Bostaph’s thunderous drumming. The divebomb at the end of the track blends seamlessly into the opening notes of “Where I Reign,” where listeners get the first taste of the unbridled aggression of King’s solo project.
With themes of societal decay, war, and religion, “Where I Reign” would fit perfectly in the Slayer canon. A pair of solos from King show listeners that not much has changed. The old dog could probably learn some new tricks but he doesn’t want to. In short, all things are right in the metal universe.
2. “Crucifixation”
“Crucifixation” comes near the album’s midpoint. The first half of the track is nothing short of frantic. Blazing-fast riffs and the unbridled rage in Osegueda’s vocal delivery make this a must-hear. The track is less a criticism of religion and more an all-out war on the institution.
Halfway through the song, Kerry King offers a lengthy breakdown giving listeners a moment to take a breath. Then, the song returns to its original frantic energy.
Those who liked the lyrical themes of songs like “Overt Enemy” from Slayer’s 1998 album Diabolus in Musica but couldn’t get on board with the nu-metal sound of the record will enjoy this one.
3. “Everything I Hate About You”
Listening to “Everything I Hate About You” is the closest you can get to being pummeled in a mosh pit while not at a show. The overt aggression in the lyrics and the barely-contained chaos of the instrumentation make this the perfect track for traffic, the gym, or winding down after a long workday.
“People would say, ‘Who is Everything I Hate About You about?’ Humanity. I don’t have a go-to. I hate everybody—different days for different people,” Kerry King said about the song. “Who is ‘Everything I Hate About You’ about today? I don’t know. I haven’t seen too many people today. So, it’s a different person than… two days from now.”
4. “Tension”
“Tension” stands out from the rest of the tracklist of From Hell I Rise in several regards. First and foremost, the title is fitting. It’s the slowest track on the album which leaves listeners waiting for the dam to break and release the chaotic energy of the rest of the record but it never happens. At the same time, it features some of Kerry King’s most interesting songwriting on the album. There’s no chorus. Instead, each verse tells a snippet of a story “X is everything” tying each stanza together.
Featured Image by Mariano Regidor/Redferns
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