Death Angel vocalist Mark Osegueda recently discussed the challenges and responsibilities of performing Slayer songs with Kerry King’s solo band. He shared his thoughts in an interview with Iron City Rocks podcast.
The conversation centered on Osegueda’s approach to handling the vocal duties for Slayer material and his respect for original vocalist Tom Araya. When asked if there was any trepidation on his part to perform Slayer songs with Kerry King for his solo band, Osegueda provided insight into his process.
“Well, I’ve always respected Tom [Araya], and I really admire his voice and always have,” Osegueda said. “So, actually, when I got the gig with Kerry, we were mostly just working on the original material with that.”
He explained how Kerry King guided the vocal direction for the new material. King had clear expectations for the aggressive delivery.
“Kerry pretty much had what he wanted. He laid down the guide vocal and said, ‘This is what I want, just more aggressive,'” Osegueda continued. “So I just went in there and gave it my all and made it very, very aggressive. So, that came out. That’s just me at my most aggressive, I guess, delivery of anything. And then it’s when it came to playing live and that’s when we throw in some Slayer songs.”
Regarding his approach to performing the classic Slayer material, Osegueda emphasized his commitment to honoring Araya’s legacy.
“But with that, I’m a Slayer fan, so it doesn’t take me long to learn the songs,” he said. “So I just get up there and I do him justice — I do Tom justice. That’s the way I see it, for sure. And I say that because justice needs to be done, if you’re gonna sing him, ’cause got such a unique voice and I think a great voice. And that’s why — I do my best to do him justice, and I think I do.”
Osegueda’s challenge of stepping into Araya’s vocal role reflects the broader complexity of Tom Araya’s distinctive style that evolved throughout Slayer’s career. The task becomes even more demanding when considering the diverse vocal approaches Araya employed across different albums and eras.
Louder Sound reported that Araya’s vocal patterns underwent significant changes during Slayer’s experimental phase. This was particularly evident on albums like “Diabolus in Musica” where his delivery incorporated rap-influenced patterns and slightly clipped vocal styles. This evolution demonstrates the versatility that made Araya’s voice so unique and challenging to replicate.
The depth of Slayer’s catalog that Osegueda must navigate spans decades of thrash metal evolution. Arrow Lords of Metal noted that Araya’s role as vocalist and bassist positioned him as a central figure alongside Kerry King throughout the band’s career. He worked closely with guitarist Jeff Hanneman and drummer Dave Lombardo to create the band’s signature sound. This collaborative dynamic shaped the vocal delivery that fans have come to expect from Slayer material.
The pressure Osegueda faces is amplified by the fact that he’s performing these songs alongside Kerry King himself, one of Slayer’s founding members and primary songwriters. Blabbermouth highlighted that Osegueda acknowledges the inherent challenge of his voice being different from Araya’s. Yet he maintains his commitment to honoring the original vocalist’s legacy while bringing his own aggressive style to both new material and classic Slayer tracks.
The collaboration between Osegueda and King represents a continuation of Slayer’s musical legacy through a new lens. Osegueda’s Death Angel background provides the aggressive vocal foundation necessary to tackle both original compositions and beloved Slayer classics. His approach of studying the material as a fan first, then applying his technical skills as a seasoned vocalist, demonstrates the respect and preparation required to handle such iconic songs.
