As a consistent member of Slayer throughout the band’s almost four-decade career, Kerry King ranks among the most important guitarists in thrash metal. His searing, pyrotechnic dual guitar work alongside his fellow Slayer co-founder Jeff Hanneman helped define the sound of heavy music on the West Coast in the ’80s, especially on the group’s 1986 commercial breakthrough, Reign In Blood. A connection with producer Rick Rubin led to King’s guest spots on Beastie Boys classics “No Sleep Till Brooklyn” and “Fight for Your Right.” After a dozen controversy-courting Slayer records, King set out on his own with his 2024 debut album, From Hell I Rise, characterized by the same punishing guitar work as Slayer’s later albums. Death Angel vocalist Mark Osegueda infuses tracks like lead single “Idle Hands” with feral energy.