Kerry King, former Slayer guitarist, shared his thoughts about declining Dave Mustaine’s offer to join Megadeth in a recent interview with Bangers Open Air.
King expressed respect for Mustaine while explaining his decision to stay with Slayer.
“So when I caught — I don’t even remember how I heard that he wanted me to play second guitar to him. But I was flattered because even back then, I thought he was awesome,” King said.
He reflected on the choice that shaped his career path.
“I’m sure I probably did [think about leaving Slayer to play with Megadeth], but [Slayer] is where I belong. And in hindsight, I absolutely made the right choice ’cause me and Dave would’ve butted heads like no tomorrow,” he continued.
King elaborated on the potential challenges of working with Mustaine.
“It’s just his personality. I mean, look how people have been in his band. Fifty? And that’s not me down talking Mustaine. I like hanging with him for 20 minutes, and then you go away and ‘I’ll see you in a year,'” he explained.
These comments emerge as King discusses his post-Slayer career experiences.
His choice to remain with Slayer proved crucial for both his career and thrash metal’s evolution.
Research from Mabumbe highlighted King’s role in shaping thrash metal. As Slayer’s co-founder, he helped create landmark albums including ‘Reign in Blood,’ ‘South of Heaven,’ and ‘Seasons in the Abyss.’ His aggressive playing style defined Slayer’s signature sound.
The band’s excellence earned them a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance in 2007. This achievement solidified their place in metal history.
King’s musical journey continued after Slayer’s final show in November 2019. WMMR reported his transition to a solo career, marking a new phase in his four-decade musical journey.
Premier Guitar documented his latest milestone. His debut solo album, ‘From Hell I Rise,’ released in 2024, showcases his dedication to creating powerful metal music.
