Kerry King: Difference between revisions
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{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2019}} |
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{{Infobox musical artist |
{{Infobox musical artist |
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| name = Kerry King |
| name = Kerry King |
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| image = Mr. Kerry King from Slayer last Friday in Portugal (48228334967).jpg |
| image = Mr. Kerry King from Slayer last Friday in Portugal (48228334967).jpg |
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| caption = King performing with [[Slayer]] in 2019 |
| caption = King performing with [[Slayer]] in 2019 |
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| image_size = |
| image_size = |
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| birth_name = Kerry Ray King |
| birth_name = Kerry Ray King |
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| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1964|6|3}} |
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1964|6|3}} |
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| birth_place = [[Los Angeles]], [[California]], U.S. |
| birth_place = [[Los Angeles]], [[California]], U.S. |
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| instrument = Guitar |
| instrument = Guitar |
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| genre = [[Thrash metal]] |
| genre = [[Thrash metal]] |
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| occupation = {{flatlist| |
| occupation = {{flatlist| |
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*Musician |
*Musician |
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*songwriter |
*songwriter |
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}} |
}} |
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| years_active = 1981–present |
| years_active = 1981–present |
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| label = [[Reigning Phoenix Music|Reigning Phoenix]] |
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| current_member_of |
| current_member_of = [[Slayer]] |
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| website = {{Official URL}} |
| website = {{Official URL}} |
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}} |
}} |
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'''Kerry Ray King''' (born June 3, 1964)<ref name=BloodyReign17>{{cite book|last=McIver|first=Joel|title=The Bloody Reign of Slayer|year=2010|publisher=Omnibus Press|isbn=978-1-84938-386-8 |page=17 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UffkZCMjXzoC&pg=PT17}}</ref> is an American musician, best known for being the co-lead guitarist and songwriter of [[thrash metal]] band [[Slayer]]. He co-founded the band with [[Jeff Hanneman]] in 1981 and is one of two members to stay with the band for its {{age|1981|1|1}}-year existence, along with [[Tom Araya]]. |
'''Kerry Ray King''' (born June 3, 1964)<ref name=BloodyReign17>{{cite book|last=McIver|first=Joel|title=The Bloody Reign of Slayer|year=2010|publisher=Omnibus Press|isbn=978-1-84938-386-8 |page=17 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UffkZCMjXzoC&pg=PT17}}</ref> is an American musician, best known for being the co-lead guitarist and songwriter of [[thrash metal]] band [[Slayer]]. He co-founded the band with [[Jeff Hanneman]] in 1981 and is one of two members to stay with the band for its {{age|1981|1|1}}-year existence, along with [[Tom Araya]]. During Slayer's hiatus from 2019 to 2024, King went on to pursue a solo career, with his debut album ''[[From Hell I Rise]]'' released in May 2024.<ref name="Blabbermouth2024">{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/kerry-king-announces-lineup-of-solo-band-shares-first-single-idle-hands|title=Kerry King Announces Lineup Of Solo Band, Shares First Single 'Idle Hands'|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=February 5, 2024|date=February 5, 2024}}</ref> |
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==Biography== |
==Biography== |
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===Slayer=== |
===Slayer=== |
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King formed his first band with another guitarist who had been teaching him lessons, and this guitarist introduced him to [[Tom Araya]]. He discovered that he and Araya lived only a block away from each other, and they agreed to start jamming together. "Everything began from that point", King has said of Slayer's origins.<ref name=lawson /> In 1981, King was at an audition for a southern rock band which [[Jeff Hanneman]] was also auditioning for. King heard Hanneman playing guitar near the reception desk and approached him, soon learning that they liked a lot of the same music, and they decided to jam together.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3KPAWvJ29M|title=Slayer's Kerry King - Wikipedia: Fact or Fiction? (Part 1)|via=www.youtube.com}}</ref> The pair enjoyed playing together and decided to start their own band with Araya and a neighborhood drummer named [[Dave Lombardo]], which would soon evolve into Slayer.<ref name="Knac.com interview with Jeff Hanneman">{{cite web |
King formed his first band with another guitarist who had been teaching him lessons, and this guitarist introduced him to [[Tom Araya]]. He discovered that he and Araya lived only a block away from each other, and they agreed to start jamming together. "Everything began from that point", King has said of Slayer's origins.<ref name=lawson /> In 1981, King was at an audition for a southern rock band which [[Jeff Hanneman]] was also auditioning for. King heard Hanneman playing guitar near the reception desk and approached him, soon learning that they liked a lot of the same music, and they decided to jam together.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3KPAWvJ29M|title=Slayer's Kerry King - Wikipedia: Fact or Fiction? (Part 1)|date=April 22, 2015 |via=www.youtube.com}}</ref> The pair enjoyed playing together and decided to start their own band with Araya and a neighborhood drummer named [[Dave Lombardo]], which would soon evolve into Slayer.<ref name="Knac.com interview with Jeff Hanneman">{{cite web |
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|title=Knac.com interview with Jeff Hanneman |
|title=Knac.com interview with Jeff Hanneman |
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|author=Davis, Brian |
|author=Davis, Brian |
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|website=Knac.com |
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|url=http://www.knac.com/article.asp?ArticleID=3153 |
|url=http://www.knac.com/article.asp?ArticleID=3153 |
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|access-date=December 13, 2006 |
|access-date=December 13, 2006 |
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|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928010337/http://www.knac.com/article.asp?ArticleID=3153 |
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928010337/http://www.knac.com/article.asp?ArticleID=3153 |
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|archive-date=September 28, 2007 |
|archive-date=September 28, 2007 |
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}}</ref> King, along with Araya, remained in Slayer for the entire length of the band's career, from 1981 to 2019.<ref name="notachance">{{cite web |date=December 2, 2019 |title=There Is 'Not |
}}</ref> King, along with Araya, remained in Slayer for the entire length of the band's career, from 1981 to 2019 and since 2024.<ref name="notachance">{{cite web |date=December 2, 2019 |title=There Is 'Not a Chance in Hell' Slayer Will Ever Reunite, Says Kerry King's Wife |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/there-is-not-a-chance-in-hell-slayer-will-ever-reunite-says-kerry-kings-wife/ |access-date=December 2, 2019 |website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]}}</ref> |
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[[File:Slayer 1983 press photo.png|thumb|King (left) with Slayer in 1983]] |
[[File:Slayer 1983 press photo.png|thumb|King (left) with Slayer in 1983]] |
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In 1984, King was invited by former [[Metallica]] guitarist [[Dave Mustaine]] to join his new band [[Megadeth]]. Slayer's future was briefly in doubt as King played several shows with Megadeth, though he ultimately did not join full-time due to his commitment to Slayer. He still lived with his parents and has said that the desire to not spend time at home with his family caused him to spend more time rehearsing with the band, which helped his musicianship improve tremendously.<ref name=lawson /> |
In 1984, King was invited by former [[Metallica]] guitarist [[Dave Mustaine]] to join his new band [[Megadeth]]. Slayer's future was briefly in doubt as King played several shows with Megadeth, though he ultimately did not join full-time due to his commitment to Slayer. He still lived with his parents and has said that the desire to not spend time at home with his family caused him to spend more time rehearsing with the band, which helped his musicianship improve tremendously.<ref name=lawson /> |
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King says at that time their music was viewed simply as [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]] and the term "thrash" emerged later. He was becoming heavily influenced by the band [[Venom (band)|Venom]], which helped shape Slayer's dark image. King says that after releasing ''[[Haunting The Chapel]]'' and ''[[Hell Awaits]]'' and seeing the band's audience grow steadily, he knew Slayer would be his career. The controversy surrounding Slayer's 1986 song "[[Angel of Death (Slayer song)|Angel Of Death]]" fueled King to dedicate himself to songwriting. "I think, on the whole, that mankind is full of fucking idiots. In a nutshell, our lyrics just say 'think'. That's it", he said of the unwanted "Angel of Death" attention.<ref name=lawson /> |
King says at that time their music was viewed simply as [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]] and the term "thrash" emerged later. He was becoming heavily influenced by the band [[Venom (band)|Venom]], which helped shape Slayer's dark image. King says that after releasing ''[[Haunting The Chapel]]'' and ''[[Hell Awaits]]'' and seeing the band's audience grow steadily, he knew Slayer would be his career. The controversy surrounding Slayer's 1986 song "[[Angel of Death (Slayer song)|Angel Of Death]]" fueled King to dedicate himself to songwriting. "I think, on the whole, that mankind is full of fucking idiots. In a nutshell, our lyrics just say 'think'. That's it", he said of the unwanted "Angel of Death" attention.<ref name=lawson /> |
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Slayer fared better than most bands after heavy metal's |
Slayer fared better than most bands after heavy metal's decline in the 1990s, which King describes as "the fuckin' [[Limp Bizkit]] era". King almost stopped writing music entirely due to how offensive he believed the music scene had become at that time. "I couldn't understand why anybody would make music like that, let alone like it. That was definitely my darkest time as a musician, and that definitely showed up on ''[[Diabolus in Musica]]''... through my lack of involvement", he has said.<ref name=lawson /> |
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===Solo career=== |
===Solo career=== |
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In March 2020, when interviewed by ''[[Guitar World]]'' about his endorsement with [[Dean Guitars]], King hinted that he would be working on new material for his first project since Slayer's disbandment, simply saying, "Dean didn't sign me for nothing!"<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Angle |first1=Brad |title=Tune-Ups: Born of Fire |journal=Guitar World |date=March 2020 |page=20}}</ref> King stated in an August 2020 interview on the Dean Guitars YouTube channel that he had "more than two records' worth of music".<ref>{{cite web|title= |
In March 2020, when interviewed by ''[[Guitar World]]'' about his endorsement with [[Dean Guitars]], King hinted that he would be working on new material for his first project since Slayer's disbandment, simply saying, "Dean didn't sign me for nothing!"<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Angle |first1=Brad |title=Tune-Ups: Born of Fire |journal=Guitar World |date=March 2020 |page=20}}</ref> King stated in an August 2020 interview on the Dean Guitars YouTube channel that he had "more than two records' worth of music".<ref>{{cite web|title=Slayer's Kerry King Has 'More Than Two Records' Worth of Music' for His Next Project|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/slayers-kerry-king-has-more-than-two-records-worth-of-music-for-his-next-project/|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=August 25, 2020|access-date=November 8, 2023}}</ref> It was later confirmed that he and former Slayer bandmate [[Paul Bostaph]] were working on a new project that would "sound like Slayer without it being Slayer — but not intentionally so."<ref>{{cite web|title=Paul Bostaph Says His New Project With Kerry King 'Will Sound Like Slayer Without It Being Slayer'|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/paul-bostaph-says-his-new-project-with-kerry-king-will-sound-like-slayer-without-it-being-slayer/|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=August 27, 2020|access-date=November 8, 2023}}</ref> In November 2023, King hinted that he was going to release the debut album by his new project in 2024;<ref name="2024 debut">{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/slayer-guitarist-kerry-king-hints-at-2024-debut-of-his-new-project|title=Slayer Guitarist Kerry King Hints At 2024 Debut Of His New Project|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=November 8, 2023|date=November 6, 2023}}</ref> this project was later revealed to be his solo debut album,<ref name="rockville">{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/motley-crue-slipknot-judas-priest-and-kerry-king-among-confirmed-acts-for-welcome-to-rockville-2024|title=Mötley Crüe, Slipknot, Judas Priest and Kerry King Among Confirmed Acts for Welcome to Rockville 2024|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=November 8, 2023|date=November 8, 2023}}</ref> ''[[From Hell I Rise]]'', released on May 17, 2024. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metallian.com/kerryking.php |title=Kerry King band biography |publisher=metallian |date=28 April 2024 |access-date=27 May 2024}}</ref> The lineup on the album includes King, Bostaph, [[Death Angel]] vocalist Mark Osegueda, [[Hellyeah]] bassist [[Kyle Sanders]], and [[Vio-lence]] and former [[Machine Head (band)|Machine Head]] guitarist [[Phil Demmel]]. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metallian.com/kerryking.php |title=Kerry King band biography |publisher=metallian |date=28 April 2024 |access-date=27 May 2024}}</ref><ref name="Blabbermouth2024"/> |
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==Guest appearances== |
==Guest appearances== |
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[[File:Kerry King, 2006.jpg|thumb|left|King in 2006]] |
[[File:Kerry King, 2006.jpg|thumb|left|King in 2006]] |
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In addition to appearing on Slayer's albums, he has also made several guest appearances for other artists. While lending production to 1986's ''[[Reign in Blood]]'', [[Rick Rubin]] was also helping with the production of the [[Beastie Boys]]' debut album ''[[Licensed to Ill]]''. Rubin felt the track "[[No Sleep till Brooklyn]]" needed a guitar solo, so he called in King to lay down the part.<ref name="OralHistory">{{cite web| title= An exclusive oral history of Slayer|publisher=Decibel Magazine|url= http://www.decibelmagazine.com/features_detail.aspx?id=4566|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060813155123/http://www.decibelmagazine.com/features_detail.aspx?id=4566|archive-date= August 13, 2006|access-date=December 3, 2006}}</ref> King has since commented that his playing ability "certainly wasn't that of a virtuoso".<ref name="OralHistory"/> The video for "No Sleep till Brooklyn", whose title was a spoof on [[Motörhead]]'s 1981 live album ''[[No Sleep 'til Hammersmith]]'', was originally intended to feature King being knocked offstage by a gorilla, |
In addition to appearing on Slayer's albums, he has also made several guest appearances for other artists. While lending production to 1986's ''[[Reign in Blood]]'', [[Rick Rubin]] was also helping with the production of the [[Beastie Boys]]' debut album ''[[Licensed to Ill]]''. Rubin felt the track "[[No Sleep till Brooklyn]]" needed a guitar solo, so he called in King to lay down the part.<ref name="OralHistory">{{cite web| title= An exclusive oral history of Slayer|publisher=Decibel Magazine|url= http://www.decibelmagazine.com/features_detail.aspx?id=4566|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060813155123/http://www.decibelmagazine.com/features_detail.aspx?id=4566|archive-date= August 13, 2006|access-date=December 3, 2006}}</ref> King has since commented that his playing ability "certainly wasn't that of a virtuoso".<ref name="OralHistory"/> The video for "No Sleep till Brooklyn", whose title was a spoof on [[Motörhead]]'s 1981 live album ''[[No Sleep 'til Hammersmith]]'', was originally intended to feature King being knocked offstage by a gorilla, but King refused.<ref name="OralHistory"/> King replied, "If there's gonna be anyone knocking anyone offstage, it'll be me knocking the gorilla", which was what subsequently happened.<ref name="OralHistory"/> |
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On ''Licensed to Ill'', King also played the guitar solo on the song "[[Fight For Your Right (To Party)]]".<ref>{{cite book|last=McIver|first=Joel|title=Nu Metal – The Next Generation of Rock & Punk (Omnibus Press)|year=2002|publisher=[[Omnibus Press]]|isbn=978-0-7119-9209-2|page=12}}</ref> |
On ''Licensed to Ill'', King also played the guitar solo on the song "[[Fight For Your Right (To Party)]]".<ref>{{cite book|last=McIver|first=Joel|title=Nu Metal – The Next Generation of Rock & Punk (Omnibus Press)|year=2002|publisher=[[Omnibus Press]]|isbn=978-0-7119-9209-2|page=12}}</ref> |
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King contributed the main lead guitar solo and outro part to [[Pantera]]'s song "[[Goddamn Electric]]", which appeared on the 2000 album, ''[[Reinventing the Steel]]''.<ref name="KNACKing">{{cite web|title=Exclusive! Interview With Slayer Guitarist Kerry King|author=Davis, Brian| |
King contributed the main lead guitar solo and outro part to [[Pantera]]'s song "[[Goddamn Electric]]", which appeared on the 2000 album, ''[[Reinventing the Steel]]''.<ref name="KNACKing">{{cite web|title=Exclusive! Interview With Slayer Guitarist Kerry King|author=Davis, Brian|website=Knac.com|date=November 10, 2004|url=http://www.knac.com/article.asp?ArticleID=3346 |access-date = March 25, 2007}}</ref> King's rig was set up in Pantera's bathroom backstage just after [[Ozzfest]] 1999 in [[Dallas]], as the group still did not have their own dressing room, on top of not appearing on the festival bill.<ref name="KNACKing"/> |
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King has also made several guest appearances on [[Marilyn Manson]]'s [[Rape of the World Tour]], joining the band to play tracks such as "Little Horn", "1996" and "Irresponsible Hate Anthem". Many fans noticed elements of King's own style used on these occasions.<ref>[http://www.mansonwiki.com/wiki/2008/02/23_Los_Angeles,_CA 2008/02/23 Los Angeles, CA] – MansonWiki.com</ref> |
King has also made several guest appearances on [[Marilyn Manson]]'s [[Rape of the World Tour]], joining the band to play tracks such as "Little Horn", "1996" and "Irresponsible Hate Anthem". Many fans noticed elements of King's own style used on these occasions.<ref>[http://www.mansonwiki.com/wiki/2008/02/23_Los_Angeles,_CA 2008/02/23 Los Angeles, CA] – MansonWiki.com</ref> |
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On October 21, 2010, the final date of the [[Jägermeister]] Music Tour, King joined Megadeth on stage at the [[Gibson Amphitheater]] in [[Hollywood, Los Angeles|Hollywood]] to perform "Rattlehead" which was the first time in 26 years that King had shared the stage with Megadeth (King had been a touring substitute for a few months in 1984).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=148091 |title=Blabbermouth.Net – Slayer's Kerry King To Perform With Megadeth Tonight! | |
On October 21, 2010, the final date of the [[Jägermeister]] Music Tour, King joined Megadeth on stage at the [[Gibson Amphitheater]] in [[Hollywood, Los Angeles|Hollywood]] to perform "Rattlehead" which was the first time in 26 years that King had shared the stage with Megadeth (King had been a touring substitute for a few months in 1984).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=148091 |title=Blabbermouth.Net – Slayer's Kerry King To Perform With Megadeth Tonight! |website=Roadrunnerrecords.com |access-date=October 25, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101025111722/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=148091 |archive-date=October 25, 2010 }}</ref> |
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King contributed a guitar solo on the title track for the 2010 album [[Witchkrieg]] by the Swedish blackened thrash band [[Witchery]]. He also appears in the music video playing his solo. |
King contributed a guitar solo on the title track for the 2010 album [[Witchkrieg]] by the Swedish blackened thrash band [[Witchery]]. He also appears in the music video playing his solo.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kennelty |first1=Greg |title=WITCHERY Witchkrieg video |url=https://metalinjection.net/video/witchery-witchkrieg-video |website=Metal Injection |access-date=October 29, 2024 |date=February 8, 2013}}</ref> |
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He made an appearance in the 2009 movie ''[[Brooklyn's Finest]]'' as a member of SWAT team led by [[Ethan Hawke]]'s character.{{fact|date=October 2022}} In 2022, he appeared in the |
He made an appearance in the 2009 movie ''[[Brooklyn's Finest]]'' as a member of SWAT team led by [[Ethan Hawke]]'s character.{{fact|date=October 2022}} In 2022, he appeared in the [[comedy horror]] film ''[[Studio 666]]'' as Krug.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Singer |first1=Quentin |title=Foo Fighters' Metal Horror Movie 'Studio 666' Has Unsurprisingly Bombed In Theaters |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/quentinsinger/2022/02/28/foo-fighters-metal-horror-movie-studio-666-has-unsurprisingly-bombed-in-theaters/ |website=Forbes |access-date=October 29, 2024 |date=Feb 28, 2022}}</ref> |
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==Style and influences== |
==Style and influences== |
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| title = Reign in Blood |
| title = Reign in Blood |
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| author = Huey, Steve |
| author = Huey, Steve |
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| website = [[AllMusic]] |
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| url = {{Allmusic|class=album|id=r18220|pure_url=yes}} |
| url = {{Allmusic|class=album|id=r18220|pure_url=yes}} |
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| access-date = January 24, 2006 }}</ref> He also described his and Jeff Hanneman's guitar solos as "wildly chaotic".<ref>Steve Huey [http://www.allmusic.com/artist/slayer-p5453/ "Slayer"]. Allmusic. Retrieved December 27, 2010.</ref> Thom Jurek, also of AllMusic, described his work on 2006's ''[[Christ Illusion]]'' as creating "an intensely harrowing and angular riff that changes from verse to verse, through the refrain and bridge, and comes back again."<ref>Thom Jurek [http://www.allmusic.com/album/christ-illusion-r849648/review "Christ Illusion – Slayer"]. Allmusic. Retrieved December 27, 2010.</ref> |
| access-date = January 24, 2006 }}</ref> He also described his and Jeff Hanneman's guitar solos as "wildly chaotic".<ref>Steve Huey [http://www.allmusic.com/artist/slayer-p5453/ "Slayer"]. Allmusic. Retrieved December 27, 2010.</ref> Thom Jurek, also of AllMusic, described his work on 2006's ''[[Christ Illusion]]'' as creating "an intensely harrowing and angular riff that changes from verse to verse, through the refrain and bridge, and comes back again."<ref>Thom Jurek [http://www.allmusic.com/album/christ-illusion-r849648/review "Christ Illusion – Slayer"]. Allmusic. Retrieved December 27, 2010.</ref> |
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King listed [[Venom (band)|Venom]], [[Judas Priest]], [[Iron Maiden |
King listed [[Venom (band)|Venom]], [[Judas Priest]], [[Iron Maiden]], [[Deep Purple]] and [[Black Sabbath]] as his favorite bands during his teen years.<ref>{{Cite news |url= http://www.reocities.com/SoHo/Study/9077/slayer.html|title=15 minutes with Slayer |author= Peter McLennan |website=reocities.com }}</ref> He said once "Anybody who plays heavy music and doesn't cite Sabbath as an influence is lying, because that's where it all started."<ref>{{Cite book|title = rockin' in time|last = Szatmary|first = David P.|year = 2014|pages = 381}}</ref> He cited [[Glenn Tipton]] and [[K. K. Downing]] of [[Judas Priest]] as his biggest influences as a guitarist that inspire his style, tone, and gear. He mentioned [[Eddie Van Halen]], [[Ted Nugent]], [[Ronnie Montrose]], [[Tony Iommi]], [[Ritchie Blackmore]], [[Michael Schenker]], [[Dave Murray (musician)|Dave Murray]], [[Adrian Smith (musician)|Adrian Smith]] and [[Randy Rhoads]] as other influences.<ref>{{Cite news |url= http://www.guitar.com/articles/kerry-king-its-good-be-king|title=Kerry King – It's Good To Be King |website=guitar.com }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metalmasterkingdom.com/interviews-20182017--2016/michael-schenker-metal-master-kingdom-interview|title=Michael Schenker - Metal Master Kingdom Interview|website=metalmasterkingdom.com|date=January 17, 2018|access-date=August 19, 2018}}</ref> King also quoted [[Elton John]], [[Eagles (band)|Eagles]], [[Boston (band)|Boston]], [[Foreigner (band)|Foreigner]], [[J. Geils]] among his favorite non-metal artists.<ref>{{Cite news |url= https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/wtf/kerry_king_who_doesnt_like_elton_john.html|title=Kerry King: 'Who Doesn't Like Elton John? |website=ultimate-guitar.com }}</ref> |
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==Personal life== |
==Personal life== |
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King has been twice divorced and has a daughter named Shyanne Kymberlee King with his first wife; his current wife is Ayesha King.<ref>{{cite |
King has been twice divorced and has a daughter named Shyanne Kymberlee King with his first wife; his current wife is Ayesha King.<ref>{{cite news|title=After 25 years, Slayer keeps casting metal|author=Beck, Aaron|newspaper=The Columbus Dispatch|date=February 10, 2007|url=http://www.columbusdispatch.com/live/contentbe/dispatch/2007/02/10/20070210-B1-02.html|access-date=February 25, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305172421/http://www.dispatch.com/content/404.html|archive-date=March 5, 2012}}</ref> He claims he has never done drugs, though he has said "I'm quite an experienced drinker".<ref name=lawson /> |
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Prior to 2020, King had lived in California for almost all of his life. He relocated to [[Phoenix, Arizona]] around 1987,<ref>{{cite web|title=32 Years Ago: Slayer Release 'South of Heaven'|url=https://loudwire.com/slayer-south-of-heaven-album-anniversary/|website=[[Loudwire|Loudwire.com]]|access-date=December 17, 2021}}</ref> and while living there, he was a neighbor of [[Judas Priest]] singer [[Rob Halford]].<ref>{{cite web|title=18 Things You Might Not Know About Kerry King|url=https://955themountain.iheart.com/content/2021-06-02-18-things-you-might-not-know-about-kerry-king/|website=[[KYOT|955themountain.iheart.com]]|access-date=December 17, 2021}}</ref> By the early 2000s, King had moved back to Los Angeles,<ref>{{cite web|title=20 Years Ago: Slayer Release 'God Hates Us All'|url=https://loudwire.com/slayer-god-hates-us-all-album-anniversary/|website=[[Loudwire|Loudwire.com]]|access-date=December 17, 2021}}</ref> and he would later relocate to [[Riverside County, California]].<ref name="laweekly.com">{{cite |
Prior to 2020, King had lived in California for almost all of his life. He relocated to [[Phoenix, Arizona]] around 1987,<ref>{{cite web|title=32 Years Ago: Slayer Release 'South of Heaven'|url=https://loudwire.com/slayer-south-of-heaven-album-anniversary/|website=[[Loudwire|Loudwire.com]]|access-date=December 17, 2021}}</ref> and while living there, he was a neighbor of [[Judas Priest]] singer [[Rob Halford]].<ref>{{cite web|title=18 Things You Might Not Know About Kerry King|url=https://955themountain.iheart.com/content/2021-06-02-18-things-you-might-not-know-about-kerry-king/|website=[[KYOT|955themountain.iheart.com]]|access-date=December 17, 2021}}</ref> By the early 2000s, King had moved back to Los Angeles,<ref>{{cite web|title=20 Years Ago: Slayer Release 'God Hates Us All'|url=https://loudwire.com/slayer-god-hates-us-all-album-anniversary/|website=[[Loudwire|Loudwire.com]]|access-date=December 17, 2021}}</ref> and he would later relocate to [[Riverside County, California]].<ref name="laweekly.com">{{cite magazine |
||
| title = After Jeff Hanneman's Death, "We Had to Learn How to Be Slayer in a New Way" |
| title = After Jeff Hanneman's Death, "We Had to Learn How to Be Slayer in a New Way" |
||
| |
| magazine = [[LA Weekly]] |
||
| date = June 14, 2015 |
| date = June 14, 2015 |
||
| url = http://www.laweekly.com/music/after-jeff-hannemans-death-we-had-to-learn-how-to-be-slayer-in-a-new-way-5722930 |
| url = http://www.laweekly.com/music/after-jeff-hannemans-death-we-had-to-learn-how-to-be-slayer-in-a-new-way-5722930 |
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King is an avid snake collector who owns a reptile house and [[herpetology]] nursery called Psychotic Exotics.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Blabbermouth.net|title=SLAYER's KERRY KING Takes Viewers To His Snake Farm (Video)|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/slayers-kerry-king-takes-viewers-to-his-snake-farm-video/|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=October 29, 2014|access-date=August 13, 2015}}</ref> |
King is an avid snake collector who owns a reptile house and [[herpetology]] nursery called Psychotic Exotics.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Blabbermouth.net|title=SLAYER's KERRY KING Takes Viewers To His Snake Farm (Video)|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/slayers-kerry-king-takes-viewers-to-his-snake-farm-video/|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=October 29, 2014|access-date=August 13, 2015}}</ref> |
||
King has largely avoided politics, although he displayed sympathy for conservative host Rush Limbaugh in the past.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/slayers-divine-intervention-8-things-you-didnt-know|title=Slayer's 'Divine Intervention': 8 things you don't know|date=September 27, 2018|website=revolvermag.com}}</ref> In 2017, King said that he was "embarrassed about Trump's presidency," which he described as "divisive and polarizing."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/slayer-kerry-king-admits-difference-of-opinion-with-tom-araya-about-trump-photo/|title=SLAYER's KERRY KING Admits 'Difference Of Opinion' With TOM ARAYA About TRUMP Photo|date=January 27, 2017|website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET}}</ref> |
King has largely avoided politics, although he displayed sympathy for conservative radio host [[Rush Limbaugh]] in the past.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/slayers-divine-intervention-8-things-you-didnt-know|title=Slayer's 'Divine Intervention': 8 things you don't know|date=September 27, 2018|website=revolvermag.com}}</ref> In 2017, King said that he was "embarrassed about Trump's presidency," which he described as "divisive and polarizing."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/slayer-kerry-king-admits-difference-of-opinion-with-tom-araya-about-trump-photo/|title=SLAYER's KERRY KING Admits 'Difference Of Opinion' With TOM ARAYA About TRUMP Photo|date=January 27, 2017|website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET}}</ref> In 2024, while promoting his solo album, he stated that he was "pissed off" about the overturning of [[Roe V. Wade]].<ref>{{cite web |title=KERRY KING: The Official Story Of How 'From Hell I Rise' Was Made |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/kerry-king-the-official-story-of-how-from-hell-i-rise-was-made |website=Blabbermouth |date=May 8, 2024 |access-date=28 May 2024}}</ref> |
||
King's body has grown increasingly tattooed over his career, with ''[[Blender (magazine)|Blender Magazine]]'' once producing a tour of his body ink.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.blender.com/video/965/KerryKingsTattoos.video?src=blender_ed |title=Tour of Kerry King's Tattoos |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012163343/http://blender.com/video/965/KerryKingsTattoos.video?src=blender_ed |archive-date=October 12, 2007}}, ''Blender'' Online, retrieved on March 2, 2007</ref> King's abbreviation, KFK, was revealed to mean "Kerry Fuckin' King" in the January 2007 Issue of ''[[Guitar World]]''.<ref name="metal-rules2004">{{cite web |
King's body has grown increasingly tattooed over his career, with ''[[Blender (magazine)|Blender Magazine]]'' once producing a tour of his body ink.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.blender.com/video/965/KerryKingsTattoos.video?src=blender_ed |title=Tour of Kerry King's Tattoos |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012163343/http://blender.com/video/965/KerryKingsTattoos.video?src=blender_ed |archive-date=October 12, 2007}}, ''Blender'' Online, retrieved on March 2, 2007</ref> King's abbreviation, KFK, was revealed to mean "Kerry Fuckin' King" in the January 2007 Issue of ''[[Guitar World]]''.<ref name="metal-rules2004">{{cite web |
||
| title = Kerry King of SLAYER |
| title = Kerry King of SLAYER |
||
| author = Lahtinen, Lexi |
| author = Lahtinen, Lexi |
||
| |
| website = Metal-rules.com |
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| date = November 4, 2004 |
| date = November 4, 2004 |
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| url = http://metal-rules.com/zine/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=44 |
| url = http://metal-rules.com/zine/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=44 |
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! style="background:#dde;"|Ref |
! style="background:#dde;"|Ref |
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| style="background:LightGrey;" colspan="2"|'''Guitars''' || rowspan="20" |<ref name="KingUltimateGuitar">{{cite web| title = Slayer's Kerry King: The Art Of Writing Songs That Nobody Else Can Write | author = atera, Joe| |
| style="background:LightGrey;" colspan="2"|'''Guitars''' || rowspan="20" |<ref name="KingUltimateGuitar">{{cite web| title = Slayer's Kerry King: The Art Of Writing Songs That Nobody Else Can Write | author = atera, Joe| website = UltimateGuitar.com| date = August 4, 2006| url =http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/interviews/slayers_kerry_king_the_art_of_writing_songs_that_nobody_else_can_write.html?200608041041 | access-date = February 22, 2007 }}</ref><br><ref name="wpb notes">{{cite AV media notes |title="World Painted Blood" |others=[[Slayer]] |year=2009 |type=Compact Disc |publisher=[[American Recordings (US)|American]], [[Sony Music Entertainment|Sony Music]] }}</ref><br><ref>{{cite book|last=Mangum|first=Eric|title=DOD Presents 100 Superstar Guitar Sounds on a Stompbox Budget|year=1995|publisher=Cherry Lane Music|isbn=1-57560-342-X|page=40}}</ref> |
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|[[B.C. Rich]] [[KKV guitar|KKV]] || Signature V |
|[[B.C. Rich]] [[KKV guitar|KKV]] || Signature V |
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|MM Guitar Picks |
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|Kahler Tremolo System <small>(model 2315)</small> |
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|Dragon Cases |
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{{col-end}} |
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== Band members == |
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'''Current members''' |
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*Kerry King – guitars (2019–present) |
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*[[Paul Bostaph]] – drums (2019–present) |
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*Mark Osegueda – vocals (2023–present) |
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*[[Phil Demmel]] – guitars (2023–present) |
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*[[Kyle Sanders]] – bass (2023–present) |
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==Discography== |
==Discography== |
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{{main|Slayer discography}} |
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|1983||''[[Show No Mercy (Slayer album)|Show No Mercy]]''||<ref>{{cite book|last=Christe|first=Ian|title=Sound of the Beast: The Complete Headbanging History of Heavy Metal|year=2004|publisher=It Books|isbn=0-380-81127-8|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/soundofbeastcomp0000chri}}</ref> |
|1983||''[[Show No Mercy (Slayer album)|Show No Mercy]]''||<ref>{{cite book|last=Christe|first=Ian|title=Sound of the Beast: The Complete Headbanging History of Heavy Metal|year=2004|publisher=It Books|isbn=0-380-81127-8|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/soundofbeastcomp0000chri}}</ref> |
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|- |
|- |
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|rowspan="2"|1984||''[[Haunting the Chapel]]''||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/haunting-the-chapel-r18216/credits |title=Haunting the Chapel – Slayer | |
|rowspan="2"|1984||''[[Haunting the Chapel]]''||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/haunting-the-chapel-r18216/credits |title=Haunting the Chapel – Slayer |website=AllMusic |access-date=October 29, 2010}}</ref> |
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|- |
|- |
||
|''[[Live Undead]]''||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/live-undead-r204395/credits |title=Live Undead – Slayer | |
|''[[Live Undead]]''||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/live-undead-r204395/credits |title=Live Undead – Slayer |website=AllMusic |access-date=October 29, 2010}}</ref> |
||
|- |
|- |
||
|1985 ||''[[Hell Awaits]]''||<ref>{{cite book|last=Gueraseva|first=Stacy|title=Def Jam, Inc. : Russell Simmons, Rick Rubin, and the Extraordinary Story of the World's Most Influential Hip-Hop Label|year=2005|publisher=One World|isbn=0-345-46804-X|page=[https://archive.org/details/defjamincrussell00guer/page/73 73]|url=https://archive.org/details/defjamincrussell00guer/page/73}}</ref> |
|1985 ||''[[Hell Awaits]]''||<ref>{{cite book|last=Gueraseva|first=Stacy|title=Def Jam, Inc. : Russell Simmons, Rick Rubin, and the Extraordinary Story of the World's Most Influential Hip-Hop Label|year=2005|publisher=One World|isbn=0-345-46804-X|page=[https://archive.org/details/defjamincrussell00guer/page/73 73]|url=https://archive.org/details/defjamincrussell00guer/page/73}}</ref> |
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|1986 |||''[[Reign in Blood]]''||<ref>{{cite book|last=Ferris|first=D.X.|title=Reign in Blood ([[33⅓]])|year=2008|publisher=Continuum|isbn=978-0-8264-2909-4|page=45}}</ref> |
|1986 |||''[[Reign in Blood]]''||<ref>{{cite book|last=Ferris|first=D.X.|title=Reign in Blood ([[33⅓]])|year=2008|publisher=Continuum|isbn=978-0-8264-2909-4|page=45}}</ref> |
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|- |
|- |
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|1988 ||''[[South of Heaven]]''||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://allmusic.com/album/south-of-heaven-r18221/credits |title=South of Heaven – Slayer | |
|1988 ||''[[South of Heaven]]''||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://allmusic.com/album/south-of-heaven-r18221/credits |title=South of Heaven – Slayer |website=AllMusic |access-date=October 29, 2010}}</ref> |
||
|- |
|- |
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|1990 ||''[[Seasons in the Abyss]]''||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/seasons-in-the-abyss-r18222/credits |title=Seasons in the Abyss – Slayer | |
|1990 ||''[[Seasons in the Abyss]]''||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/seasons-in-the-abyss-r18222/credits |title=Seasons in the Abyss – Slayer |website=AllMusic |access-date=October 29, 2010}}</ref> |
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|- |
|- |
||
|1991 ||''[[Decade of Aggression]]''||<ref>{{cite book|last=Bukszpan|first=Daniel|title=The Encyclopedia of Heavy Metal|year=2003|publisher=Sterling|isbn=0-7607-4218-9|page=210}}</ref> |
|1991 ||''[[Decade of Aggression]]''||<ref>{{cite book|last=Bukszpan|first=Daniel|title=The Encyclopedia of Heavy Metal|year=2003|publisher=Sterling|isbn=0-7607-4218-9|page=210}}</ref> |
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|1994 ||''[[Divine Intervention (Slayer album)|Divine Intervention]]''||<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Morris|first=Chris|title=American's Platinum Plans For Slayer|magazine=Billboard|date=July 23, 1994|page=14}}</ref> |
|1994 ||''[[Divine Intervention (Slayer album)|Divine Intervention]]''||<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Morris|first=Chris|title=American's Platinum Plans For Slayer|magazine=Billboard|date=July 23, 1994|page=14}}</ref> |
||
|- |
|- |
||
|1996 ||''[[Undisputed Attitude]]''||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/undisputed-attitude-r234919/credits |title=Undisputed Attitude – Slayer | |
|1996 ||''[[Undisputed Attitude]]''||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/undisputed-attitude-r234919/credits |title=Undisputed Attitude – Slayer |website=AllMusic |access-date=October 29, 2010}}</ref> |
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|- |
|- |
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|1998 ||''[[Diabolus in Musica]]''||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/diabolus-in-musica-r352911/credits |title=Diabolus in Musica – Slayer | |
|1998 ||''[[Diabolus in Musica]]''||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/diabolus-in-musica-r352911/credits |title=Diabolus in Musica – Slayer |website=AllMusic |date=June 9, 1998 |access-date=October 29, 2010}}</ref> |
||
|- |
|- |
||
|2001 ||''[[God Hates Us All]]''||<ref>{{cite book|last=Faeth|first=Laura|title=I |
|2001 ||''[[God Hates Us All]]''||<ref>{{cite book|last=Faeth|first=Laura|title=I Found All the Parts: Healing the Soul Through Rock 'n' Roll|year=2008|publisher=Sound of Your Soul (an imprint of Wyatt-MacKenzie)|isbn=978-1-932279-91-7|page=7}}</ref> |
||
|- |
|- |
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|2006||''[[Eternal Pyre]]''||<ref>[http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=54666 "Slayer: 'Eternal Pyre' Single Enters Finnish Chart At No. 2!"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070310174827/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=54666 |date=March 10, 2007 }}. June 5, 2007. Blabbermouth.net</ref> |
|2006||''[[Eternal Pyre]]''||<ref>[http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=54666 "Slayer: 'Eternal Pyre' Single Enters Finnish Chart At No. 2!"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070310174827/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=54666 |date=March 10, 2007 }}. June 5, 2007. Blabbermouth.net</ref> |
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|2006 ||''[[Christ Illusion]]''||<ref>[http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=120413 "Slayer's Kerry King Says Forthcoming Album 'Has A Little Bit Of Everything' "] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090523094615/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=120413 |date=May 23, 2009 }}. May 20, 2009. Blabbermouth.net</ref> |
|2006 ||''[[Christ Illusion]]''||<ref>[http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=120413 "Slayer's Kerry King Says Forthcoming Album 'Has A Little Bit Of Everything' "] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090523094615/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=120413 |date=May 23, 2009 }}. May 20, 2009. Blabbermouth.net</ref> |
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|- |
|- |
||
|2009 ||''[[World Painted Blood]]''||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/world-painted-blood-r1661054/credits |title=World Painted Blood – Slayer | |
|2009 ||''[[World Painted Blood]]''||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/world-painted-blood-r1661054/credits |title=World Painted Blood – Slayer |website=AllMusic |access-date=October 29, 2010}}</ref> |
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|2015 ||''[[Repentless]]''|| |
|2015 ||''[[Repentless]]''|| |
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;Guest appearances |
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|2002||"[[What We're All About]]" || [[Sum 41]] ||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Sum-41-Its-What-Were-All-About/release/1890384 |title=Sum 41 – It's What We're All About (CD) at Discogs |publisher=Discogs.com |access-date=October 30, 2010}}</ref> |
|2002||"[[What We're All About]]" || [[Sum 41]] ||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Sum-41-Its-What-Were-All-About/release/1890384 |title=Sum 41 – It's What We're All About (CD) at Discogs |publisher=Discogs.com |access-date=October 30, 2010}}</ref> |
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|2005||"[[Frontlines (Soulfly song)|Frontlines]]"||[[Soulfly]] || |
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|- |
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|2010||"[[Witchkrieg]]" || [[Witchery]] || |
|2010||"[[Witchkrieg]]" || [[Witchery]] || |
Latest revision as of 20:55, 21 December 2024
Kerry King | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Birth name | Kerry Ray King |
Born | Los Angeles, California, U.S. | June 3, 1964
Genres | Thrash metal |
Occupations |
|
Instrument | Guitar |
Years active | 1981–present |
Labels | Reigning Phoenix |
Member of | Slayer |
Website | kerrykingofficial |
Kerry Ray King (born June 3, 1964)[1] is an American musician, best known for being the co-lead guitarist and songwriter of thrash metal band Slayer. He co-founded the band with Jeff Hanneman in 1981 and is one of two members to stay with the band for its 43-year existence, along with Tom Araya. During Slayer's hiatus from 2019 to 2024, King went on to pursue a solo career, with his debut album From Hell I Rise released in May 2024.[2]
Biography
[edit]Early life
[edit]The youngest of three children, King was born and raised in Los Angeles, California.[3] His father was an aircraft parts inspector, and his mother worked for a telephone company.[1] He started learning guitar at the age of thirteen at his father's urging, saying "...my dad was trying to get me out of the wrong circles and give me a hobby." King attended three different high schools and had very good grades, even winning an award as his school's top math student in junior high. As the youngest child in the family, King says he was "spoilt" growing up.[3] He learned guitar on his father's Gibson ES-175 and later had a Fender Stratocaster which he traded for a BC Rich Mockingbird, beginning a long relationship with BC Rich guitars. The first song he ever learned was Ted Nugent's "Cat Scratch Fever" and he soon became a major fan of Van Halen and Judas Priest, which had a major impact on his guitar playing.[1]
Slayer
[edit]King formed his first band with another guitarist who had been teaching him lessons, and this guitarist introduced him to Tom Araya. He discovered that he and Araya lived only a block away from each other, and they agreed to start jamming together. "Everything began from that point", King has said of Slayer's origins.[3] In 1981, King was at an audition for a southern rock band which Jeff Hanneman was also auditioning for. King heard Hanneman playing guitar near the reception desk and approached him, soon learning that they liked a lot of the same music, and they decided to jam together.[4] The pair enjoyed playing together and decided to start their own band with Araya and a neighborhood drummer named Dave Lombardo, which would soon evolve into Slayer.[5] King, along with Araya, remained in Slayer for the entire length of the band's career, from 1981 to 2019 and since 2024.[6]
In 1984, King was invited by former Metallica guitarist Dave Mustaine to join his new band Megadeth. Slayer's future was briefly in doubt as King played several shows with Megadeth, though he ultimately did not join full-time due to his commitment to Slayer. He still lived with his parents and has said that the desire to not spend time at home with his family caused him to spend more time rehearsing with the band, which helped his musicianship improve tremendously.[3]
King says at that time their music was viewed simply as heavy metal and the term "thrash" emerged later. He was becoming heavily influenced by the band Venom, which helped shape Slayer's dark image. King says that after releasing Haunting The Chapel and Hell Awaits and seeing the band's audience grow steadily, he knew Slayer would be his career. The controversy surrounding Slayer's 1986 song "Angel Of Death" fueled King to dedicate himself to songwriting. "I think, on the whole, that mankind is full of fucking idiots. In a nutshell, our lyrics just say 'think'. That's it", he said of the unwanted "Angel of Death" attention.[3]
Slayer fared better than most bands after heavy metal's decline in the 1990s, which King describes as "the fuckin' Limp Bizkit era". King almost stopped writing music entirely due to how offensive he believed the music scene had become at that time. "I couldn't understand why anybody would make music like that, let alone like it. That was definitely my darkest time as a musician, and that definitely showed up on Diabolus in Musica... through my lack of involvement", he has said.[3]
Solo career
[edit]In March 2020, when interviewed by Guitar World about his endorsement with Dean Guitars, King hinted that he would be working on new material for his first project since Slayer's disbandment, simply saying, "Dean didn't sign me for nothing!"[7] King stated in an August 2020 interview on the Dean Guitars YouTube channel that he had "more than two records' worth of music".[8] It was later confirmed that he and former Slayer bandmate Paul Bostaph were working on a new project that would "sound like Slayer without it being Slayer — but not intentionally so."[9] In November 2023, King hinted that he was going to release the debut album by his new project in 2024;[10] this project was later revealed to be his solo debut album,[11] From Hell I Rise, released on May 17, 2024. [12] The lineup on the album includes King, Bostaph, Death Angel vocalist Mark Osegueda, Hellyeah bassist Kyle Sanders, and Vio-lence and former Machine Head guitarist Phil Demmel. [13][2]
Guest appearances
[edit]In addition to appearing on Slayer's albums, he has also made several guest appearances for other artists. While lending production to 1986's Reign in Blood, Rick Rubin was also helping with the production of the Beastie Boys' debut album Licensed to Ill. Rubin felt the track "No Sleep till Brooklyn" needed a guitar solo, so he called in King to lay down the part.[14] King has since commented that his playing ability "certainly wasn't that of a virtuoso".[14] The video for "No Sleep till Brooklyn", whose title was a spoof on Motörhead's 1981 live album No Sleep 'til Hammersmith, was originally intended to feature King being knocked offstage by a gorilla, but King refused.[14] King replied, "If there's gonna be anyone knocking anyone offstage, it'll be me knocking the gorilla", which was what subsequently happened.[14]
On Licensed to Ill, King also played the guitar solo on the song "Fight For Your Right (To Party)".[15]
King contributed the main lead guitar solo and outro part to Pantera's song "Goddamn Electric", which appeared on the 2000 album, Reinventing the Steel.[16] King's rig was set up in Pantera's bathroom backstage just after Ozzfest 1999 in Dallas, as the group still did not have their own dressing room, on top of not appearing on the festival bill.[16]
King has also made several guest appearances on Marilyn Manson's Rape of the World Tour, joining the band to play tracks such as "Little Horn", "1996" and "Irresponsible Hate Anthem". Many fans noticed elements of King's own style used on these occasions.[17]
On October 21, 2010, the final date of the Jägermeister Music Tour, King joined Megadeth on stage at the Gibson Amphitheater in Hollywood to perform "Rattlehead" which was the first time in 26 years that King had shared the stage with Megadeth (King had been a touring substitute for a few months in 1984).[18]
King contributed a guitar solo on the title track for the 2010 album Witchkrieg by the Swedish blackened thrash band Witchery. He also appears in the music video playing his solo.[19]
He made an appearance in the 2009 movie Brooklyn's Finest as a member of SWAT team led by Ethan Hawke's character.[citation needed] In 2022, he appeared in the comedy horror film Studio 666 as Krug.[20]
Style and influences
[edit]King's first experience with a guitar was when he was a child.[21] Steve Huey of AllMusic has commented in his review for Reign in Blood that Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman's demented soloing often mimics the screams of the songs' victims.[22] He also described his and Jeff Hanneman's guitar solos as "wildly chaotic".[23] Thom Jurek, also of AllMusic, described his work on 2006's Christ Illusion as creating "an intensely harrowing and angular riff that changes from verse to verse, through the refrain and bridge, and comes back again."[24]
King listed Venom, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Deep Purple and Black Sabbath as his favorite bands during his teen years.[25] He said once "Anybody who plays heavy music and doesn't cite Sabbath as an influence is lying, because that's where it all started."[26] He cited Glenn Tipton and K. K. Downing of Judas Priest as his biggest influences as a guitarist that inspire his style, tone, and gear. He mentioned Eddie Van Halen, Ted Nugent, Ronnie Montrose, Tony Iommi, Ritchie Blackmore, Michael Schenker, Dave Murray, Adrian Smith and Randy Rhoads as other influences.[27][28] King also quoted Elton John, Eagles, Boston, Foreigner, J. Geils among his favorite non-metal artists.[29]
Personal life
[edit]King has been twice divorced and has a daughter named Shyanne Kymberlee King with his first wife; his current wife is Ayesha King.[30] He claims he has never done drugs, though he has said "I'm quite an experienced drinker".[3]
Prior to 2020, King had lived in California for almost all of his life. He relocated to Phoenix, Arizona around 1987,[31] and while living there, he was a neighbor of Judas Priest singer Rob Halford.[32] By the early 2000s, King had moved back to Los Angeles,[33] and he would later relocate to Riverside County, California.[34] In April 2020, King and Ayesha bought one home in Las Vegas, Nevada; as of November 2021, however, the couple resides in New York City.[35]
King is an antitheist. He is known to oppose and strongly criticize organized religion by expressing his views in his songwriting.[36] In a 2006 interview with Blabbermouth.net, King expressed his anti-religious views: "I don't really have a life philosophy; my thing is just rebelling against pretty much organized religion. That is my main thing, because personally I think it's a crutch for people that are too weak to get through life on their own. I'm the kind of guy that says if I don't see it, then it doesn't work. And nobody can show me God."[37] When asked by Revolver Magazine what superpower would he want if he was a supervillain, King replied "the ability to burst a church into flames by simply walking by it."[38]
King is an avid snake collector who owns a reptile house and herpetology nursery called Psychotic Exotics.[39]
King has largely avoided politics, although he displayed sympathy for conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh in the past.[40] In 2017, King said that he was "embarrassed about Trump's presidency," which he described as "divisive and polarizing."[41] In 2024, while promoting his solo album, he stated that he was "pissed off" about the overturning of Roe V. Wade.[42]
King's body has grown increasingly tattooed over his career, with Blender Magazine once producing a tour of his body ink.[43] King's abbreviation, KFK, was revealed to mean "Kerry Fuckin' King" in the January 2007 Issue of Guitar World.[44]
Equipment
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Band members
[edit]Current members
- Kerry King – guitars (2019–present)
- Paul Bostaph – drums (2019–present)
- Mark Osegueda – vocals (2023–present)
- Phil Demmel – guitars (2023–present)
- Kyle Sanders – bass (2023–present)
Discography
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References
[edit]- ^ a b c McIver, Joel (2010). The Bloody Reign of Slayer. Omnibus Press. p. 17. ISBN 978-1-84938-386-8.
- ^ a b c "Kerry King Announces Lineup Of Solo Band, Shares First Single 'Idle Hands'". Blabbermouth.net. February 5, 2024. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g Lawson, Dom. "Slayer's Kerry King: My Life Story". TeamRock.com. Retrieved November 4, 2016.
- ^ "Slayer's Kerry King - Wikipedia: Fact or Fiction? (Part 1)". April 22, 2015 – via www.youtube.com.
- ^ Davis, Brian. "Knac.com interview with Jeff Hanneman". Knac.com. Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. Retrieved December 13, 2006.
- ^ "There Is 'Not a Chance in Hell' Slayer Will Ever Reunite, Says Kerry King's Wife". Blabbermouth.net. December 2, 2019. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
- ^ Angle, Brad (March 2020). "Tune-Ups: Born of Fire". Guitar World: 20.
- ^ "Slayer's Kerry King Has 'More Than Two Records' Worth of Music' for His Next Project". Blabbermouth.net. August 25, 2020. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
- ^ "Paul Bostaph Says His New Project With Kerry King 'Will Sound Like Slayer Without It Being Slayer'". Blabbermouth.net. August 27, 2020. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
- ^ "Slayer Guitarist Kerry King Hints At 2024 Debut Of His New Project". Blabbermouth.net. November 6, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
- ^ "Mötley Crüe, Slipknot, Judas Priest and Kerry King Among Confirmed Acts for Welcome to Rockville 2024". Blabbermouth.net. November 8, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
- ^ "Kerry King band biography". metallian. April 28, 2024. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
- ^ "Kerry King band biography". metallian. April 28, 2024. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
- ^ a b c d "An exclusive oral history of Slayer". Decibel Magazine. Archived from the original on August 13, 2006. Retrieved December 3, 2006.
- ^ McIver, Joel (2002). Nu Metal – The Next Generation of Rock & Punk (Omnibus Press). Omnibus Press. p. 12. ISBN 978-0-7119-9209-2.
- ^ a b Davis, Brian (November 10, 2004). "Exclusive! Interview With Slayer Guitarist Kerry King". Knac.com. Retrieved March 25, 2007.
- ^ 2008/02/23 Los Angeles, CA – MansonWiki.com
- ^ "Blabbermouth.Net – Slayer's Kerry King To Perform With Megadeth Tonight!". Roadrunnerrecords.com. Archived from the original on October 25, 2010. Retrieved October 25, 2010.
- ^ Kennelty, Greg (February 8, 2013). "WITCHERY Witchkrieg video". Metal Injection. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
- ^ Singer, Quentin (February 28, 2022). "Foo Fighters' Metal Horror Movie 'Studio 666' Has Unsurprisingly Bombed In Theaters". Forbes. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
- ^ McIver, Joel (2010). The Bloody Reign of Slayer. Omnibus Press. p. 3. ISBN 978-1-84938-386-8.
- ^ Huey, Steve. "Reign in Blood". AllMusic. Retrieved January 24, 2006.
- ^ Steve Huey "Slayer". Allmusic. Retrieved December 27, 2010.
- ^ Thom Jurek "Christ Illusion – Slayer". Allmusic. Retrieved December 27, 2010.
- ^ Peter McLennan. "15 minutes with Slayer". reocities.com.
- ^ Szatmary, David P. (2014). rockin' in time. p. 381.
- ^ "Kerry King – It's Good To Be King". guitar.com.
- ^ "Michael Schenker - Metal Master Kingdom Interview". metalmasterkingdom.com. January 17, 2018. Retrieved August 19, 2018.
- ^ "Kerry King: 'Who Doesn't Like Elton John?". ultimate-guitar.com.
- ^ Beck, Aaron (February 10, 2007). "After 25 years, Slayer keeps casting metal". The Columbus Dispatch. Archived from the original on March 5, 2012. Retrieved February 25, 2007.
- ^ "32 Years Ago: Slayer Release 'South of Heaven'". Loudwire.com. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
- ^ "18 Things You Might Not Know About Kerry King". 955themountain.iheart.com. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
- ^ "20 Years Ago: Slayer Release 'God Hates Us All'". Loudwire.com. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
- ^ "After Jeff Hanneman's Death, "We Had to Learn How to Be Slayer in a New Way"". LA Weekly. June 14, 2015. Retrieved March 18, 2017.
- ^ "Slayer's Kerry King And Wife Relocate To New York City". Blabbermouth.net. November 15, 2021. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
- ^ McKibbin, Adam. "Slayer: A conversation with Kerry King". The Red Alert. Archived from the original on March 11, 2015. Retrieved June 23, 2015.
- ^ "Slayer's Kerry King: 'My Thing Is Rebelling Against Organized Religion' - Blabbermouth.net". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. August 4, 2006.
- ^ Wiederhorn, Jon. "Mayhem Festival's Headliner Slayer Featured on the Cover of Next Issue of Revolver — Read an Excerpt from the Cover Story". Revolver Magazine. Retrieved June 23, 2015.
- ^ Blabbermouth.net (October 29, 2014). "SLAYER's KERRY KING Takes Viewers To His Snake Farm (Video)". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved August 13, 2015.
- ^ "Slayer's 'Divine Intervention': 8 things you don't know". revolvermag.com. September 27, 2018.
- ^ "SLAYER's KERRY KING Admits 'Difference Of Opinion' With TOM ARAYA About TRUMP Photo". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. January 27, 2017.
- ^ "KERRY KING: The Official Story Of How 'From Hell I Rise' Was Made". Blabbermouth. May 8, 2024. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ "Tour of Kerry King's Tattoos". Archived from the original on October 12, 2007., Blender Online, retrieved on March 2, 2007
- ^ Lahtinen, Lexi (November 4, 2004). "Kerry King of SLAYER". Metal-rules.com. Archived from the original on February 6, 2006. Retrieved January 24, 2006.
- ^ a b atera, Joe (August 4, 2006). "Slayer's Kerry King: The Art Of Writing Songs That Nobody Else Can Write". UltimateGuitar.com. Retrieved February 22, 2007.
- ^ a b "World Painted Blood" (Compact Disc). Slayer. American, Sony Music. 2009.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Mangum, Eric (1995). DOD Presents 100 Superstar Guitar Sounds on a Stompbox Budget. Cherry Lane Music. p. 40. ISBN 1-57560-342-X.
- ^ Christe, Ian (2004). Sound of the Beast: The Complete Headbanging History of Heavy Metal. It Books. ISBN 0-380-81127-8.
- ^ "Haunting the Chapel – Slayer". AllMusic. Retrieved October 29, 2010.
- ^ "Live Undead – Slayer". AllMusic. Retrieved October 29, 2010.
- ^ Gueraseva, Stacy (2005). Def Jam, Inc. : Russell Simmons, Rick Rubin, and the Extraordinary Story of the World's Most Influential Hip-Hop Label. One World. p. 73. ISBN 0-345-46804-X.
- ^ Ferris, D.X. (2008). Reign in Blood (33⅓). Continuum. p. 45. ISBN 978-0-8264-2909-4.
- ^ "South of Heaven – Slayer". AllMusic. Retrieved October 29, 2010.
- ^ "Seasons in the Abyss – Slayer". AllMusic. Retrieved October 29, 2010.
- ^ Bukszpan, Daniel (2003). The Encyclopedia of Heavy Metal. Sterling. p. 210. ISBN 0-7607-4218-9.
- ^ Morris, Chris (July 23, 1994). "American's Platinum Plans For Slayer". Billboard. p. 14.
- ^ "Undisputed Attitude – Slayer". AllMusic. Retrieved October 29, 2010.
- ^ "Diabolus in Musica – Slayer". AllMusic. June 9, 1998. Retrieved October 29, 2010.
- ^ Faeth, Laura (2008). I Found All the Parts: Healing the Soul Through Rock 'n' Roll. Sound of Your Soul (an imprint of Wyatt-MacKenzie). p. 7. ISBN 978-1-932279-91-7.
- ^ "Slayer: 'Eternal Pyre' Single Enters Finnish Chart At No. 2!" Archived March 10, 2007, at the Wayback Machine. June 5, 2007. Blabbermouth.net
- ^ "Slayer's Kerry King Says Forthcoming Album 'Has A Little Bit Of Everything' " Archived May 23, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. May 20, 2009. Blabbermouth.net
- ^ "World Painted Blood – Slayer". AllMusic. Retrieved October 29, 2010.
- ^ Ro, Ronin (2005). Raising Hell: The Reign, Ruin, and Redemption of Run-D.M.C. and Jam Master Jay. HarperCollins. p. 187. ISBN 0-06-078195-5.
- ^ Ro, Ronin (2005). Raising Hell: The Reign, Ruin, and Redemption of Run-D.M.C. and Jam Master Jay. HarperCollins. p. 187. ISBN 0-06-078195-5.
- ^ Guitar World Presents Nu-Metal. Hal Leonard. 2002. p. 32. ISBN 0-634-03287-9.
- ^ "Loud Rock". CMJ. 69 No. 11 (742): 16. December 10, 2001.
- ^ "Sum 41 – It's What We're All About (CD) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved October 30, 2010.
External links
[edit]- Official website
- King's 2002 Slayer Guitar Rig Archived January 24, 2013, at archive.today. GuitarGeek.com
- "Slayer's Kerry King - Wikipedia: Fact or Fiction? (Part 1)," Loudwire, April 22, 2015. —video.
- "Slayer's Kerry King - Wikipedia: Fact or Fiction? (Part 2)," Loudwire, April 29, 2015. —video.
- Psychotic Exotics Facebook page
- Kerry King Interview at NAMM Oral History Collection (January 25, 2013)
- 1964 births
- American atheists
- American heavy metal guitarists
- American male guitarists
- American critics of religions
- Guitarists from Los Angeles
- American rhythm guitarists
- American lead guitarists
- Living people
- Slayer members
- 20th-century American guitarists
- 21st-century American guitarists
- Thrash metal musicians