"As far as I was concerned, we were done and we would never play again": Kerry King was as shocked as the rest of us when Slayer reunited

Slayer guitarist Kerry King says he was just as surprised as everyone else when the thrash metal legends announced their return.

In a statement sent to The world of guitarKing revealed his surprise at the reunion when it was announced in February.

The guitarist had declared a few days earlier in a Rolling stone interview that he hadn’t spoken to bassist/vocalist Tom Araya since the band’s retirement in 2019.

“I was very surprised,” King wrote in his new statement.

“I made my comments (on the ending of Slayer) based on the fact that Araya didn’t want to play anymore.

“For me we were finished and we would never play again.

“To be honest, I don’t know what’s changed.”

King continues: “We’ve been turning down gig offers for at least three years. Then one offer came along that I guess appealed to Tom to the point that he wanted to take a chance and try a few. I don’t know, but that’s it.”

In the same interview, King expressed his opinion that the death of Slayer co-founder guitarist Jeff Hanneman contributed to Araya’s dissatisfaction with the band and his desire to see them disband five years ago.

“If Jeff was still here, would there have been another Slayer album? Who knows?” King asks.

“I mean, Jeff was a big burden on Tom, and I think Jeff’s absence was a big part of Tom leaving Slayer.

“But you know, if that asshole Jeff was still here, he’d want us to play. I know he would.”

“What if I played this album (King’s 2024 solo album, From hell I rise) for Jeff, he would love that.

Slayer will play their first show in half a century at Riot Fest in Bridgeview, Illinois on September 22.

Two more live dates have been announced, at Louder Than Life in Louisville, Kentucky on September 27 and at Aftershock Festival in Sacramento, California on October 10.

King has previously said that the Slayer reunion will not see the band tour extensively.

He said History of Classic Rock in May: “It will be cool to get together with Tom Araya and express your hatred to people, but don’t get used to it being an annual event.”

From hell I rise was released on May 17 and received positive reviews.

King’s solo band will begin a North American tour on July 19. Check out the dates and get tickets on the guitarist’s website.