Raging riffs and solos reign through the tracks of From Hell I Rise, Kerry King’s first album release to follow Slayer’s farewell show on November 30th, 2019. A lucky 13 tracks represent King’s solo full-length, showcasing his new personal brand of metal, produced by Josh Wilbur. 

King opens the album with some memorable riffing on the instrumental “Diablo”, accompanied by his new solo band lineup, comprised of fellow guitar legend Phil Demmel (Machine Head), Thrash drumming icon Paul Bostaph (Slayer, Testament), and “Bass Beater” Kyle Sanders (Hellyeah) holding down the low end, before leading with a whammy-induced transition into “Where I Reign”, introducing the presence of Marc Osegueda, who brings a powerful vocal touch to Kerry King’s songwriting that creates a team surpassing any vague suggestion of just “Slayer meets Death Angel”. 

Bostaph leads the way into “Residue”, a rhythmic headbanger worth a few extra listens, as Demmel and King trade high-energy solos in the first track off the album to get a music video. The other is “Toxic”, with an unmistakably classic Thrash tone and subtle Slayer riff nods.  

“Idle Hands” are far from it in terms of the players, and bassist Kyle Sanders particularly stands out to the ear on this one. The driving force of “Trophies Of The Tyrant” is a somewhat complex track that’s constantly shifting time, layering guitar harmonies, and chugging out a verse that feels like an angrier, thrash-ier “Immigrant Song”, only in terms of rhythm, followed immediately by more driving aggression in “Crucifixation”. 

By this point, we know this record is far from just a one-time listen, with a strong first few tracks and plenty more to go. “Tension” gives a momentary break from the high-speed pace that’s been propelling us through the tracklist so far, taking an almost atmospheric approach. That break doesn’t last long as “Everything I Hate About You” throws us back in Hardcore-style, with an attack running a little over a minute, and “Two Fists” keeps up the same attitude. “Rage” is self-explanatory and may just as well have been the title track, but after letting loose some “Shrapnel”, King saves the definitive title track, twin guitars and all, for the very end.

Lyrics are defined with intense topics, social commentary, and a certain boldness that’s characteristic of King, who has never shown a hint of hesitance in continuing to create post-Slayer metal. “Easter eggs” can certainly be found in songs like the title track, where “From Hell – through fire, I will rise until blood rains from the skies” stands as a lyrical nod to a King-cowritten Slayer track. Nonetheless, King’s solo work distinguishes itself as a new journey, locking in the tone of new Thrash in 2024.

Top 3 Tracks:

1. Residue
2. Trophies of the Tyrant
3. Where I Reign

From Hell I Rise is out now on Reigning Phoenix Music. 

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Physical copies of the album, as well as other Kerry King merch, can be found at Kerry King’s Official Website or via: https://kerryking.rpm.link/fromhellirise.

Stream the album via Apple Music (Affiliate Link), and check out the preview below: