Kerry King : "From Hell I Rise"

 If you were wondering how much of Slayer was Kerry King, the question is about to be answered. The band had been plugging along without Jeff. Jeff played a role in their writing process, so it depends on what side of the band you hope to hear. Mark from Death Angel is handling the vocals, 'Diablo" is more of an intro, making "Where I Reign" the opening track. It sounds like the song could have been off "God Hates Us All". It is fast and has the kind of aggression that Slayer were perfectors of. King's solos are more melodic and less chaotic in the first song.   "Residue" is more deliberate. I am not sure what side of the story the narrative of the lyrics sits on. Mark gives his most gutsy performance yet. It also reminds me a little of "Diabolis in Musica". Once again 90s Slayer is being mentioned and not their classic 80s sound. 

"Idle Hands" carries a pretty powerful chug. Once again "God Hates Us All" comes to mind. Paul Bostaph certainly helps things sound like Slayer. The sense of groove on "Trophies of the Tyrant" is the song's strength. There is melodic nuance they flesh it out in the best way possible. When they pour on the speed for 'Crucifixation" the results are not as impressive. There is a cool riff that comes in midway into the song, but the rule here is "cool riffs alone do not a good song make".  The throb the builds on "Tension" lives up to the song's name. "Everything I Hate About You" runs more of a full-throttle hard-core thrashing. In contrast, the riff that drives "Toxic" sounds like a classic Slayer riff.  "Two Fists' has a more undisputed attitude to it. I always thought King was more the Judas Priest guy and Jeff was the punk side, but I guess we are hearing otherwise.

"Rage" leans into a more speed-laced fury. It's hyper-thrashing, which lends itself more to songwriting rather than if these were just blast beats. The more deliberate palm-muted chug of "Shrapnel" feels like things are at their most effective. Bostaph helps sell the last song. It finds them returning to that more "God Hates Us All" "-like place. Thow his album shows how large of a role King played in Slayer it might not have had any of the serial killer love songs, which were my favorite moments from the band but it does carry a great deal about what made the band great so I will give this album a 9, and see how it grows on me.

 

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