The wait for Slayer guitarist Kerry King’s solo album, “From Hell I Rise,” has been long. There has been talk about it for a number of years, but now it’s finally here. Has it been worth the wait? Well, the album sounds like Slayer – and even bad Slayer is good compared to a lot of other bands. Many will probably complain that this sounds so much like Slayer. But is it strange that it sounds like Slayer? Kerry King started Slayer back in 1981 and has been playing this type of music all along. He has made it clear that he didn’t want to disband Slayer, but had to accept that Tom Araya wouldn’t continue. It’s actually a given that Kerry King’s solo work sounds like Slayer. Ironically, Kerry King has tried to avoid his solo project being “Slayer Light” or “Baby Slayer,” as he himself says, but he hasn’t succeeded.
Perhaps most surprising is that Death Angel vocalist Mark Osegueda, who is the vocalist on “the album”From Hell I Rise,” sounds quite like Tom Araya. Especially on the first single that was released; “Idle Hands.” Kerry King also has the old Slayer drummer Paul Bostaph with him. It’s probably unnecessary to mention that he does a brilliant job. Additionally, we have Kyle Sanders from Hellyeah on bass and Phil Demmel from Machine Head and Vio-Lence on guitar. A solid team, in other words.
But even though “From Hell I Rise” is consistently tough, it lacks major highlights. There are plenty of tough riffs, but it’s difficult to pick out highlights as it’s such an even album where things don’t quite stand out. Well, “Toxic” has some seriously tough riffs. Right up there with Slayer. “Two Fists” also stands out. This is a punk song in the style of the songs on the cover album “Undisputed Attitude.” I’ve always thought of Jeff Hanneman as the punk guy in Slayer. So it’s a bit surprising that Kerry King comes up with these kinds of riffs. But it’s positive as it gives the album variation. All in all, I really like the album. A couple of songs that stood out more would have been nice. But at least the album is consistently good all the way through.
Released May 17, 2024, through Reigning Phoenix Music.
Hell on Earth Metal Zine 