Lost your password?

Song

Toxic

Artist

Kerry King

Kerry King backstory

Slayer’s co-founding guitarist is one of the most instantly recognisable and well-respected musicians in metal.

For more than 40 years King has pioneered some of the most brutal and revolutionary music ever created. 

The six stringer wrote or co-wrote some of the band’s most beloved songs including Mandatory Suicide, Repentless, Hell Awaits, Disciple and Raining Blood. 

Known for his allegiance to the Raiders, his love of snakes and his taste for Jagermeister, King is outspoken, opinionated and authentic to the core.  

He knows how to write what he writes and has no interest in changing that.  In perpetuity, Kerry King  is a self-proclaimed ‘metal kid’.

In Toxic director Jim Louvau’s own words

“We’re at a point where political fatigue has set in and become an issue for most people who live in our country no matter what side of the coin they land on.

“The lyrics and energy of the song showcase that sentiment, so I wanted to create something visually that almost feels like a trailer for what we are about to experience.

“I also wanted to address PTSD for people who have served in the military and how the increased political landscape affects their mental health which often goes unnoticed.”

The verdict on Toxic

Of course the focus is on Kerry King as one of the godfathers of thrash mines a metal riff for the ages.

But it’s the brutality and brilliance of Mark Osegueda’s vocal that switches things up on Toxic.

The Death Angel frontman does what he does best — but almost does it better flanked by the relentless King.

Osegueda’s always boasted that happy knack for fusing instinctive passion with crystal clear intonation and that combo turns Toxic into a titanic beast.

‘Toxic rhetoric, toxic government, toxic politics‘ booms the voracious vocalist against the backdrop of Jim Louvau’s killer clip.

Thrash metal’s fifth decade could yet be its most ferocious if veteran scene leaders King and Osegueda can pump out more of the same.

What’s next for Kerry King

King’s new band hits the road from June 3 — his 60th birthday — with a trip to Tilburg in Holland.

A packed month of festival slots follows with stops including Sweden Rock (June 6), Rock im Park (June 9) and Download (June 16).