MAY 30th, 2024
KERRY KING: FROM HELL I RISE
Review by: Yolanda Cota

The is the long-awaited solo debut of Slayer’s Kerry King and all I can say, it’s definitely no disappointment. Kerry King though, isn't alone, as he has joined forces with his new crew, Mark Osegueda on vocals, Paul Bostaph blasting the drums, Kyle Sanders hitting the bass, and Phil Demmel joining Kerry on guitars. This is a group risen up from hell, in the best way possible. The intro to the record, “Diablo” is a slow burn to the chaos that would enfold in the second track “Where I Reign”. The speed and thrash of what gave Slayer top metal honors is very much alive in this song. I was headbanging all through this and my neck has not forgiven me yet. The double bass pulverized my chest and the guitar solos cut right down into my spine. “Residue”, the third track, pumps that double bass drum into oblivion leaving me with goosebumps. The fourth installment, “Idle Hands” starts with an intricate drum ensemble, crunching guitars, and a low vocal, almost spoken word tone that blasts into a menacing creation. The bridge and intro into the guitar solo gave me a bit of “Battery” ending vibe with more of a knife slicing feel like I was a undergoing surgery. “Crucifixation” is a brutal onslaught of high-octane metal and hair flipping madness as is the eighth track, “Everything I Hate About You”. “Two Faces” starts off with a fast pace, but then slows down a little into a gushing pulse of aggressive singing, “I’ll put the focus on war”, letting me know he means business. With the next track, “Rage”, you can feel the power along the lyrics “Ignite the fire, Can’t disengage In crossfire Can’t stop this rage". This song seems to bring the seeds of war into the forefront by inciting a crowd to violence. The intro to “Shrapnel” is a guitar riff that sound ominous with the drums joining into a vocal crescendo stopping at a scream and continues with a hard pounding guitars and transitions into an almost orchestral bridge where the bass is insane and ending in a slow burn. The last and title track “From Hell I Rise” is a chaotic ending to this album in the best way possible. I thoroughly enjoyed everything about this and can’t wait to hear more from him. Long live the King!