Hail to the KING
From Hell, He Rose.
Kerry King doesn’t need an introduction. But if he did, with a sold-out show at Irving Plaza was a hell of a way to make one. The legendary Slayer guitarist and co-founder stormed into New York City with his new band and delivered a set so fierce, so unrelenting, it felt like a tornado tearing through the venue.
From the moment the first note hit, the pit erupted—a swirling, chaotic force of fists, sweat, and adrenaline. It wasn’t just a show; it was a warzone of sound, driven by a band that plays with the kind of force and fury that only seasoned veterans can summon.
The Legends at the King’s Side
King has assembled a lineup that’s as tight as a clenched fist. Joining him is Mark Osegueda (Death Angel) on vocals, a frontman with a voice that cuts through the chaos like a razor. His intensity and range add a new dimension to King’s signature riffage. On bass, Kyle Sanders (Hellyeah) lays down a foundation thick enough to shake the walls. And behind the kit? Paul Bostaph, the thrash titan himself, whose drumming is a relentless assault. With Phil Demmel (ex-Machine Head) on guitar, the twin-guitar attack is nothing short of lethal.
Each member brings their own legacy to the table, but together, they feel like they’ve been doing this for decades. The chemistry is undeniable—no weak links, no wasted motion. It’s precision carnage, honed to perfection.
Setlist Carnage: From Hell I Rise, Slayer and Maiden
As expected, King and his crew unleashed plenty of new material from their brilliant new album From Hell I Rise—a timeless thrash masterpiece that makes me wonder: what would’ve happened if Slayer had continued recording?! It’s everything you’d want from a King-led project: razor-sharp riffing, breakneck tempos, and that signature fire-and-brimstone intensity that defined his past work. There’s no reinvention here—just pure, unfiltered thrash, executed with precision and venom.
But the real eruption came when they tore into some Slayer favorites, sending the pit into absolute bedlam. When those unmistakable riffs hit, it was like a war cry—pure, unfiltered aggression that turned the floor into a battleground.
And then, a surprise: a few songs from Iron Maiden’s Killers album. A nod to the past, to the roots of heavy metal, played with raw intensity. It wasn’t just a cover—it was a full-force tribute, paying homage to one of metal’s most influential records while making it sound heavier than ever.
But the moment carried even more weight, as King took a moment to honor Paul Di’Anno, Maiden’s original frontman, who recently passed away. Di’Anno’s raw, punk-infused delivery helped define an era of heavy metal, and hearing those songs live was a reminder of his lasting impact. It was a fitting tribute—one metal legend saluting another, ensuring that Di’Anno’s legacy roared on through the amplifiers.
A Crowd United by Fury
What stood out just as much as the band’s brutality was the crowd itself. All ages, all backgrounds, all creeds—united by the raw, uncompromising power of metal. The energy in the room was rabid, bodies crashing into each other like waves in a storm, heads banging in unison to King’s signature chug.
At times, the intensity in the pit was almost overwhelming, a violent ballet of limbs and aggression. But that’s the beauty of it—controlled chaos, a shared release, a primal celebration of music that demands to be felt as much as heard.
The Kingdom of Thrash Remains Strong
By the time the final note rang out, the audience was spent, but no one was ready to leave. Kerry King didn’t just bring his new band to town—he set the place on fire. This wasn’t a nostalgia trip or a side project. This was a statement: The King still reigns, and his throne is built on pure, unfiltered metal.
If you weren’t there, you missed one of the most punishing, exhilarating shows NYC has seen in a long time. And if you were? You’ll be feeling it for days.
Long live the King.
STORY and PHOTOS: A.F. CORTÉS