Album/EP

Kerry King - From Hell I Rise (Album Review)

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Heavy Metal Wordsmith

May 17, 2024

7 min read

Kerry King – From Hell I Rise
Released: May 17, 2024

Line Up

Kerry King // Guitars
Paul Bostaph // Drums
Phil Demmel // Guitars
Mark Osegueda // Vocals
Kyle Sanders // Bass

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It’s unprecedented in the metal scene that a veteran of more than forty years would release their debut album. But as we’ve expected since Slayer finished up in 2019, Kerry King was ready to stop thrashing and is back with his first solo album: From Hell I Rise. He’s got the clout to recruit a killer band, comprised of Mark Osegueda (Death Angel), Phil Demmel (ex-Machine Head), Kyle Sanders (Hellyeah) and final Slayer drummer Paul Bostaph. There’s a lot of experience to bring King’s vision to life but if you were expecting some kind of radical experimentation in King’s songwriting then you’re going to be left wanting.

Given King’s career has been spent writing tunes for Slayer, it’s inevitable fans will compare this album to his former band’s discography. So to be clear – From Hell I Rise is a natural continuation of King’s work in Slayer, particularly the last few albums. To be more blunt – if you didn’t enjoy Repentless (the final album) then I can’t imagine you’ll get much of a kick out of this. I’m putting aside what was and going to focus on what is.

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From the cover art, album title and opening instrumental ‘Diablo’, it’s clear King has a blueprint that works and he’s sticking to it. First full song ‘Where I Reign’ is instantly recognisable as a King composition from the lyrics that attack religious beliefs to the break neck riffing. It’s the same with lead single ‘Idle Hands’, with lyrics that attack religious ideology to the speed metal riffing. There’s a few song titles you could swap into that sentence stem and it would still be an accurate description.

From Hell I Rise benefits greatly from King’s new bandmates. Bostaph’s drumming has long been underrated but his fills remain both manic and precise. His intro to ‘Residue’ is distinctive, he blasts his way through the speed metal throwback ‘Everything I Hate About You’ and nails the staccato kick drums on ‘Rage’. His familiarity with King’s songs is such that he gives it exactly what it needs without being unnecessarily showy. The same applies to Sanders, whose bass rumbles along without always copying the guitar chords.

Osegueda too gives the album more range with both his low growl and higher wail giving the songs some much needed dynamics. He is a menace on ‘Residue’ and the slower tempo ‘Tension’. His voice is strong enough to lift the lyrics, delivering ‘Trophies of the Tyrant’ and ‘From Hell I Rise’ with conviction. His screams are among the best moments on the album.

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Demmel also deserves more consideration as a seriously great lead player. He has a different style to King’s previous collaborators and it’s obvious on his solos. King blasts with his usual frenetic taps and squeals but Demmel has a more melodic style that blends in well. ‘Crucifixation’ is probably my favourite track largely because it’s a longer song that gives everyone space to make their mark on King’s composition. King has already mentioned wanting to record a second album sooner rather than later and hopefully Demmel is able to co-write with King and make full use of his combination.

Kerry King has waited long enough to do an album that is entirely his vision without compromise. He’s never been shy about showing us exactly who he is and his signature sound is all over From Hell I Rise. It’s a thrashfest with the odd slower, doom moment for texture and lyrics that explore political corruption, religious institutions, war, hatred and blood. We aren’t getting a new Slayer album but this is pretty much the same thing. Long may he reign.