Kerry King opens his personal archive for the first time and presents something most fans didn’t expect to hear: demo versions of songs where he himself handles the vocals, before they went to Mark Osegueda and took their final form on From Hell I Rise.
“`This release accompanies the Extended Deluxe Edition of the album from Reigning Phoenix Music, offering a rare look at how the creative process of one of thrash metal’s most recognizable guitarists begins.
King’s voice in the spotlight
Fans are used to hearing King behind the guitar, not in front of the microphone. The demo recordings, however, show the first stage of composition: King sings the scratch lines to define rhythm, phrasing and atmosphere.
The demos included:
- Crucifixation (demo)
- From Hell I Rise (demo)
- Two Fists (demo)
- Rage (demo)
- Trophies Of The Tyrant (demo)
It’s the first time these recordings see the light of day.
New package, new artwork, collector’s edition
The deluxe edition comes with:
- new cover by James Bousema
- updated layout
- additional photo material
At the same time, the earbook is also released, limited to 666 copies, which includes:
- 2 LPs
- live CD
- live Blu‑ray from the band’s first appearance at Reggies Chicago
Available exclusively via Reigning Phoenix Music.
The album that opened a new chapter
From Hell I Rise was released in May 2024 and marked King’s first solo work after the end of Slayer. The lineup:
- Mark Osegueda – vocals
- Paul Bostaph – drums
- Kyle Sanders – bass
- Phil Demmel – guitar
A lineup that gave King the freedom to move as he wanted, without restrictions.
Why this release matters
The demo recordings aren’t merely bonus tracks. They’re a rare opportunity to see how a song is born, how King builds his ideas and how the material evolves before it reaches its final stage.
For thrash fans, it’s a piece of history.
