Kerry King
Kerry King, born June 3 1964 in Los Angeles California is best known for his work as guitarist and lyricist in the band Slayer.
His lyrics are mostly based on Satanic subjects, which he attributes to his love of horror movies. Though many fans regard him as being a Satanist, he regards these people as "dumb".
In addition to apperaring on Slayer's albums, he has also made guest appearances as lead guitarist, including:
- "No Sleep Till Brooklyn", from the Beastie Boys album Licensed to Ill
- "Final Prayer", from the Hatebreed album Perseverance
- "Dead Girl Superstar", from the Rob Zombie album The Sinister Urge
- "Goddam Electric", from the Pantera album Reinventing The Steel
- "What We're All About (The Original Version)", by Sum 41 from the Spider-Man movie soundtrack
He also spent a short while as a guitarist in Megadeth, though this was only a temporary arrangement.
He is noted for openly speaking his mind, which has lead to arguments with various other bands, including Metallica, when he branded Kirk Hammett "the most overrated player ever to grace the pages of a guitar magazine". King apparently contradicted himself, when, following the 2003 release of Metallica's St. Anger, he criticized the decision to have no guitar solos on the album, claiming Hammett was one of the most talented guitar players on the planet, and that it was criminal to tie his hands.
Like most heavy metal musicians, King had long hair, but then shaved his hair off when he started to lose his hair. His bald head and spiked wristband, as with his massive tattoo work, which covers his hands, arms, and head, are his trademarks.