KERRY KING Talks The Evolution Of The Big Four, Says SLAYER “Stayed The Thrashiest Of Them All”

In a latest interview with Nikki Black (transcribed by Ultimate Guitar), Slayer guitarist Kerry King provided a candid reflection on the legendary “Massive 4” of thrash steel: Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, and Anthrax. King shared his ideas on how these influential bands advanced over time, and the way every of them carved out their very own distinctive identities throughout the thrash style.

In the course of the early Nineteen Eighties, thrash steel marked a daring new chapter in heavy music. Although the time period itself wasn’t broadly used but, bands like Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, and Anthrax started producing music that was sooner, angrier, and broke away from conventional music constructions. This motion was particularly outstanding within the San Francisco Bay Space, usually hailed because the epicenter of thrash steel.

Reflecting on the scene, King spoke about Slayer‘s resolution to not relocate to the Bay Space, a transfer that Metallica famously made. When requested if Slayer had ever thought of making the shift, Kerry replied: “By no means did. Not for any cause. I just like the Bay Space. It simply wasn’t for me.”

Regardless of this, King identified that within the early days, the variations between the Massive 4 have been minimal. It was solely later that every band ventured in distinct musical instructions. When requested if Slayer stood out throughout that period, King responded: “No, as a result of Metallica was extra of a thrash band again then. Everyone was, actually. Megadeth was thrashier.”

King famous that as time handed, Metallica shifted towards a extra accessible sound, whereas Slayer stayed rooted of their thrash origins. Nevertheless, he acknowledged that Metallica ultimately returned to their heavier roots, notably with their more moderen releases: “And clearly, Metallica went on a way more poppy path than we did… They got here again round.”

King additionally praised Metallica‘s later albums, stating 2016’s Hardwired… to Self-Destruct as a standout. He expressed his admiration for the observe “Spit Out the Bone,” calling it a “killer fucking music.”

Wanting again at thrash steel’s evolution, King emphasised that whereas every band within the Massive 4 discovered its personal path, Slayer remained probably the most constantly thrashy: “However as we matured and went our separate paths, we just about stayed the thrashiest of the Massive 4, I’d say, by any means. That did not make us higher or something. We’re simply totally different.”