Legendary SLAYER guitarist Kerry King recently opened up about who he’d cast to play him in a movie about his life. Speaking to Metal Hammer magazine, King gave fans an amusing insight into his Hollywood doppelgänger dilemma.
“The only one that loosely fits the description is Vin Diesel. If you go down that road, you might also say The Rock [Dwayne Johnson], but I’m not nearly that giant. That would be awesome, though. I’ll say The Rock, because I like a lot of the stuff he’s in.”
King’s answer may be lighthearted, but his recent endeavors have been nothing short of serious business. After wrapping up a European headline tour and hitting the road with LAMB OF GOD and MASTODON, the SLAYER icon is now gearing up for his highly anticipated 28-date North American headline tour in early 2025.
Upcoming North American Tour Details
Kerry King’s solo band will kick off the North American tour on January 15, 2025, in San Francisco and wrap it up on February 22 at the House of Blues in Las Vegas. Supporting acts for the tour include crossover thrashers MUNICIPAL WASTE and New Zealand’s heavy metal band ALIEN WEAPONRY.
This run of shows follows the release of King’s debut solo album, From Hell I Rise, which dropped in May 2024. The LP, entirely written by King, features the intense riffs and blistering energy he’s known for, with production helmed by Josh Wilbur (LAMB OF GOD, AVENGED SEVENFOLD, KORN).
A Powerful Lineup of Metal Veterans
King’s solo band boasts a star-studded lineup:
Mark Osegueda (vocals; DEATH ANGEL)
Phil Demmel (guitar; MACHINE HEAD, VIO-LENCE)
Kyle Sanders (bass; HELLYEAH)
Paul Bostaph (drums; SLAYER, TESTAMENT, EXODUS)
This all-star crew made its live debut at an intimate show at Reggies in Chicago back in May, immediately followed by appearances at massive U.S. festivals, including Welcome to Rockville (Florida) and Sonic Temple (Ohio).
European Success and Festival Highlights
King’s 2024 European tour, which launched on June 3 — his 60th birthday — in Tilburg, The Netherlands, was a major success. The band headlined shows across Europe, including stops in the U.K., Germany, and Spain, while also appearing at some of the biggest metal festivals on the continent, such as Rock Am Ring, Hellfest, Download, Sweden Rock Festival, and Tuska.
In addition to their solo dates, King’s band also served as a support act for LAMB OF GOD and MASTODON during the “Ashes Of Leviathan” tour, which ran from July 19 to August 31 and concluded in Omaha, Nebraska.
What’s Next for Kerry King?
Between a celebrated solo album, high-profile tours, and festival appearances, Kerry King is showing no signs of slowing down. As fans await his 2025 North American tour, it’s clear the 60-year-old metal veteran is relishing his next chapter—both onstage and off.
And as for that biopic? Whether it’s Vin Diesel or Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, one thing is certain: Kerry King’s story, like his music, will be larger than life.
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