By: Jay Broderick
Toronto, Canada - When thrash metal giants Slayer announced their retirement in 2019, the news was shocking to say the least. But the fans weren't the only ones who were upset. Slayer guitarist, and main song writer Kerry King was among the angry. And yes, he was angry! King thought the band had a lot of music left to share, and was caught blindsided by the decision. Happily, Slayer had played a few shows in 2024, and perhaps future tours aren't out of the question, but any hopes for a new album are likely a long shot at best.
Not allowing the breakup to be the end of him, Kerry King did the next best thing. He assembled a new band, with some killer musicians within the metal world, including his Slayer bandmate, drummer Paul Bostaph. Death Angel vocalist Mark Osegueda, supergroup Hellyeah bassist Kyle Sanders and ex-Machine Head guitarist Phil Demmel rounded out King's new solo project. The new 5-piece released their first album From Hell I Rise in 2024 (which made Number 1 metal album of 2024), and went on their first North American tour in support of Lamb of God. Now, with the calendar rollover to 2025, Kerry King and his new band head out on their own headlining tour, and they come From Hell! On February 1, they stormed The Danforth Music Hall here in Toronto!!
While I continue to recover from an illness as shared here, this was my first show in close to 4 months. With a bit of a mix-up in getting my pass, and very heavy security at the door, I wondered if I had made the right decision.
Alien Weaponry
I first saw Alien Weaponry in 2018 when the New Zealand 3-piece played their first ever show in Toronto in support of Ministry. The band easily caught our interest, and unfortunately, it was the only time they played our city. Until the Kerry King tour crashed through the borders.
Despite the bitterly cold temperatures here, I noticed the crowd wasn't completely engaged, aside from a smattering of horns raised high and a couple dudes headbanging in the front row. I thought the cold would have these fans wanting to get warmed up. With each of the 3 band members sharing in the vocals, the lack of excitement certainly wasn't due to the band's inabilities. They played a heavy set. Finally, ahead of the last track, the band asks for more from the crowd. They "split the sea" and the crowd erupted into a much bigger pit. A mosher goes down, and in true metal fashion, his brothers pick up their fallen comrade. Overall, a great band to open this show.
Municipal Waste
In high school, I created the metal band name Toxic Waste. When I first heard of the Richmond, VA band Municipal Waste in the early 2000s, I jokingly thought "those guys stole my band name"! And the intrigue grew. I needed to see these guys live. I don't know what kept me from seeing them, but I was pretty excited to see the band on this bill.
Drums of toxic waste, and skeleton punks flanked the drumkit. Once the lights dropped, the drums glowed fluorescent green. And BAM! The band exploded with full on, insane energy. It was absolutely wild, and the crowd was lit up, There go the bodies over the wall, and the Danforth Music Hall was electric. With a sound similar to 80s bands Nuclear Assault, Stormtroopers of Death, and MOD, Municipal Waste was on fire.
Lead singer Tony Foresta was hilarious too, in his interaction with the crowd. Throwing out jokes like "We can't believe they let us into your country again" and "You can throw weed on stage at us if you want", added a whole other layer to the band's performance. It begs the question... why the hell have I never seen these guys???
Kerry King
As a fan, I can't believe I am here. The Danforth Music Hall has a capacity of 1500. It is not a sold out show. WHY? It takes me back to the late 1980s when I was seeing Slayer play similar sized venues in Toronto. Tonight, half of Slayer is on hand. Why isn't the venue bursting at the seams? Selfishly, as I am "working", I stand in the photo pit, awaiting one of the most significant figures in the world of heavy metal. Then the lights go out, drummer Paul Bostaph heads behind the kit, and then the man himself heads out, fists in the air. The band explodes into "Where I Reign". The crowd erupts. The bodies start to fly!!
Kerry King blazes through the first 4 tracks, all from the band's debut album. Listening to the album, vocalist Mark Osegueda sounds very similar to Slayer frontman Tom Araya, and here in concert, the similarities are uncanny. But Osegueda has his own style, and range that we'll touch on later. After "Residue" Osegueda screams out "RIGHT OFF THE FUCKING BAT!!!", talking about the energy of the crowd, and then asks if they are ready for more.
With the band only having released one album, at some point, they would have to play some other songs. It's the seventh track of their set when they break in to some Slayer music, covering "Repentless". The crowd belts the lyrics out at the top of their lungs. It would be the first of 5 Slayer tracks of the evening.
With the energy of the band on stage, I take a close look at Paul Bostaph. Listen, I am a Dave Lombardo guy all the way. Paul Bostaph was a fantastic replacement, but would never, in my opinion match Lombardo. I have seen Slayer with Bostaph, but never took the time to really watch him. As I do so tonight, he is in a zone like no other. The intensity on this man's face is unmatched, and I feel ashamed for my dismissal. He is deep, and I gain a whole new respect.
Kerry King is also in a world by himself. While he is not running all over the stage, and jumping off risers, the man is completely tuned in. The power is exuded from his frame as he shreds his weapon of choice. There is no greater presence in the world of heavy metal guitarists. The performance he gives here tonight, as he does every show that I have ever seen him in is unmatched. The love for his craft is easily visible in his performances, and his desire to keep on making music that fans of this music genre can't do without.
Lead singer Osegueda also does a fantastic job fronting this new supergroup. His interaction with the crowd is not overdone, instead, allowing the music to be front stage. But he shares his thoughts perfectly, at the right times. "Thank you Toronto! Thanks for letting us be a partner in this scene. I say that because we're all a part of the same scene." No truer words can be spoken. The metal scene, and the family that is built therein is unlike any other. I've said it before... the fans of this style of music are among the most misunderstood.
In addition to the 5 Slayer songs that were performed during this show, Kerry King covers music from another legendary heavy metal band. As Osegueda shares, to commemorate the passing of Paul Di'Anno, the band pays homage by covering Iron Maiden's "Purgatory" from the Killers album. They then go right into the title track from the same album. VERY COOL!!!!
As the show winds down, the stage gets bathed in a red glow. A spotlight shines up from behind the drum kit. The band faces back. The pounding, thunder of the drums fills the music hall. The guitars combine for the iconic opening riff of "Raining Blood". After a strong start from the crowd, they have settled into watching in amazement, but with this track, they come alive again. This is the real deal! The band then transitions right into "Black Magic", and Mark Osegueda's vocal range becomes clear during the SCREAMS of the song's crescendo. With all due respect, it's a level that Slayer vocalist Tom Araya has not been able to reach in years.
"Absolutely fucking brilliant! Absolutely fucking incredible" Osegueda tells the crowd. "But it's fucking time! Give the security guards something to complain about when they go home tonight!". In true Slayer fashion, with no encore to follow, the band blasts into the last track of the evening "From Hell I Rise". The bodies fly over the security barricade. Ask, and ye shall receive!!!
There is no question, I completely made the right decision to cover this one!
Set List
Where I Reign
Rage
Trophies of the Tyrant
Residue
Two Fists
Idle Hands
Repentless (Slayer song)
Toxic
Tension
Everything I Hate About You
Disciple (Slayer song)
Purgatory (Iron Maiden cover)
Killers (Iron Maiden cover)
Crucifixation
At Dawn They Sleep (Slayer song)
Shrapnel
Raining Blood (Slayer song)
Black Magic (Slayer song)
From Hell I Rise
Concert Photo Gallery
Kerry King Online
show date: February 1, 2025