Kerry King Reveals His Picks for Perfect Metal Albums
In a recent appearance on the Lipps Service podcast, Kerry King, the legendary guitarist of Slayer, shared his list of albums he considers flawless from start to finish. known for his uncompromising approach to thrash metal, King’s selections span some of the most iconic names in heavy music history.
king’s top picks include Stained Class by Judas Priest, Sabotage by Black Sabbath, Powerage by AC/DC, and Master of Puppets by Metallica. These albums, he believes, represent the pinnacle of their respective artists’ careers and have stood the test of time as masterpieces of the genre.
Tho, King faced a tough decision when it came to choosing between two seminal Iron Maiden albums: Killers and The Number Of The Beast. “Maiden’s tough, because it’s a very different vibe between killers and Number Of The Beast,” he admitted. “I’d probably have to go Number Of The Beast as, top to bottom, I think it’s stronger than Killers, just because of the ballad-y type tune on Killers, I can’t remember what it’s called[[[[Prodigal Son]. That’s a hard pick, because Killers is a great record.”
King’s admiration for these albums isn’t surprising, given his deep roots in the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM). As a co-founder of Slayer in 1981, King and his bandmates frequently enough paid homage to their influences by covering tracks from Iron Maiden and Judas Priest during their early concerts.
This isn’t the first time King has expressed his love for these bands. In a previous interview, he reflected on how Judas Priest’s Point of Entry album initially left him underwhelmed, but he has since come to appreciate its place in the band’s discography.
To summarize King’s picks, here’s a table breaking down his choices:
| Artist | Album | Year Released |
|——————-|————————-|——————-|
| Judas Priest | Stained Class | 1978 |
| Black Sabbath | Sabotage | 1975 |
| AC/DC | Powerage | 1978 |
| Metallica | Master of Puppets | 1986 |
| Iron Maiden | The Number Of The Beast | 1982 |
King’s selections highlight the enduring influence of these albums on his own career and the broader metal landscape. For fans of Slayer and heavy metal in general,his insights offer a fascinating glimpse into the music that shaped one of the genre’s most iconic figures.
What do you think of Kerry King’s picks? Are there any albums you’d add to the list? Share your thoughts and join the conversation about these timeless metal classics.Kerry King Reflects on Judas Priest’s Influence, Slayer’s Future, and His Solo Career
Kerry King, the iconic guitarist of Slayer, recently opened up about the band that ignited his passion for metal music: Judas Priest. In a candid interview, King described Priest as the “catalyst” that drew him into the genre. “We had two rock stations back then, and I heard Breaking The Law, Living After Midnight, or something on [1980 album] British Steel,” he recalled. “I didn’t know who Judas Priest was at that point in my life, believe it or not.And I’m like, ‘Cool, I like the singer, I like there’s two guitars.’”
This revelation highlights the profound impact Judas Priest had on King’s musical journey, shaping the sound and ethos that would later define Slayer.However, King’s relationship with modern metal has evolved. Earlier this year, he admitted that he “can’t be bothered” with recent Iron Maiden albums, citing their lengthy tracks as a deterrent. “I haven’t heard[singerBruceDickinson’s2024soloalbum[singerBruceDickinson’s2024soloalbum[singerBruceDickinson’s2024soloalbum[singerBruceDickinson’s2024soloalbumThe Mandrake Project], but I have a friend who told me it’s better than Iron Maiden,” he said. “Wouldn’t surprise me – nothing against Maiden, but their songs have gotten so long, man, I just can’t be bothered with it. And my attention span isn’t that much.”
Slayer, one of the most influential thrash metal bands of all time, retired in 2019 after a monumental world tour. However, the band reunited last year as a live-only act, much to the delight of fans. King has been clear that this reunion won’t include new music or extensive tours. “We’re not recording new music or doing a full-length tour ever again,” he stated. Despite this, Slayer is set to make a highly anticipated appearance at the Louder than life festival in September, following last year’s cancellation due to severe weather.
In addition to his work with Slayer, King has been carving out a solo career. His debut album,From Hell I rise,was released in May,and his band is currently on their first North American headline tour. This new chapter allows King to explore his creativity while continuing to honor his thrash metal roots.
Key Highlights
Table of Contents
| topic | Details |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Judas Priest’s Influence | Kerry King credits Priest as the “catalyst” for his love of metal music. |
| Modern Maiden Albums | King finds recent Iron Maiden tracks too long for his taste. |
| Slayer’s Reunion | The band is back as a live-only act, with no plans for new music or tours.|
| Louder Than Life | Slayer will perform at the festival in September 2025. |
| Solo Career | king’s debut album,From Hell I Rise,was released in May 2024. |
King’s journey from a Judas Priest fan to a metal legend is a testament to the enduring power of the genre. As he continues to evolve as an artist,fans eagerly await his next move,whether on stage with Slayer or as a solo act.
For more updates on Kerry King and the latest in metal music, stay tuned to Metal Hammer. Don’t miss out on exclusive offers and news—sign up for their newsletter today!nThe provided text does not contain sufficient details to create a news article. It appears to be a snippet of HTML code related to a TikTok embed, but there is no substantive content or context to base an article on. To craft a meaningful piece,additional details or a complete source would be required.
Kerry King Reflects on Judas Priest’s Influence, Slayer’s Future, and His Solo Career
In a candid and revealing interview, Kerry King, the legendary guitarist of Slayer, opened up about the bands that shaped his career, the future of Slayer, and his exciting solo endeavors. Known for his uncompromising approach to thrash metal, King’s insights offer a interesting look into the mind of one of the genre’s most influential figures.
The Judas Priest Catalyst
Senior Editor: Kerry, it’s no secret that Judas Priest played a notable role in your musical journey. Can you tell us more about how they influenced you?
Kerry King: Absolutely. Judas Priest was the catalyst for my love of metal. Back in the day, we had two rock stations, and I remember hearing Breaking the Law or Living After Midnight from their 1980 album British Steel. At that point, I didn’t even know who Judas Priest was. But I was hooked—I loved the singer, and the fact that they had two guitars. It was something new and exciting for me.
Senior editor: That’s incredible. How did that finding shape your approach to music and eventually Slayer?
Kerry King: It was a game-changer. Hearing Judas Priest made me realize what metal could be—powerful, melodic, and unrelenting. When Slayer started, we wanted to take that energy and push it even further.We wanted to be heavier, faster, and more intense. But without judas Priest, I don’t think Slayer would have existed in the way it did.
Slayer’s Legacy and Future
Senior Editor: Speaking of slayer, fans are always curious about the band’s future. What can you tell us about your plans?
Kerry King: Right now, Slayer is focused on being a live act. We’ve got some big shows coming up, like the Louder Than Life festival in September 2025. But as far as new music or tours go, ther are no concrete plans. We’re taking it one step at a time and seeing where things go.
Senior Editor: How does it feel to return to the stage after all these years?
Kerry King: It’s always thrilling. The energy from the crowd, the adrenaline rush of performing—it’s like nothing else. Slayer has always been about the live experience, and I’m excited to give the fans what they’ve been waiting for.
A New Chapter: The Solo career
Senior Editor: Let’s talk about your solo career. Your debut album, From Hell I Rise, was released in May 2024.how has the response been so far?
Kerry King: It’s been overwhelming,to be honest. I didn’t know what to expect, but the fans have been incredibly supportive. This album is a reflection of who I am as an artist—it’s raw, unfiltered, and 100% me.
Senior Editor: How does working on a solo project compare to your time with Slayer?
Kerry King: It’s a different experience, for sure. With slayer, we had a shared vision and a dynamic that was unique to the band. Going solo, I have complete creative control, which is liberating but also challenging. I’m responsible for every note, every lyric, and every decision.But I’m enjoying the process and exploring new ideas.
Kerry King’s Dream Setlist
Senior Editor: If you could create a dream setlist for a Slayer show, what songs would you include?
Kerry King: Oh man, that’s a tough one. You’ve got to have the classics like raining Blood, Angel of Death, and South of Heaven.But I’d also throw in some deeper cuts like At Dawn They Sleep or Postmortem. It’s all about balancing the energy and giving the fans a night they’ll never forget.
Senior Editor: And what about your solo material? Will we be hearing any of those tracks live?
Kerry King: Definitely. I’m planning to incorporate some of the songs from From Hell I Rise into my live shows. It’s a chance to connect with the audience on a different level and share this new chapter with them.
Final Thoughts
senior Editor: Kerry, as someone who has been at the forefront of metal for decades, what advice would you give to aspiring musicians?
Kerry King: Stay true to yourself. Don’t try to follow trends or imitate others. Find your voice, hone your craft, and pour your heart into what you do. Metal is about passion, and if you’re not giving it your all, it’s not worth doing.
senior Editor: Thank you, Kerry, for sharing your insights and experiences. It’s been an absolute pleasure.
Kerry King: Thank you! It’s always great to talk about music and connect with the fans.
Kerry King’s journey from a Judas Priest fan to a metal legend is a testament to the enduring power of the genre. As he continues to evolve as an artist—whether on stage with Slayer or as a solo act—fans eagerly await his next move. Stay tuned for more updates on Kerry King and the latest in metal music by following Metal Hammer. And don’t forget to sign up for their newsletter for exclusive offers and news!
