Kerry King announces 2025 North American Tour with Special Alex Reeds
Table of Contents
- 1. Kerry King announces 2025 North American Tour with Special Guests
- 2. A Homecoming for King and His Bandmates
- 3. Crafting the Perfect Setlist
- 4. reflections on Four Decades of Touring
- 5. Meet the Band
- 6. European Tour Highlights
- 7. What’s Next?
- 8. How does Kerry King feel about stepping into this new chapter in his musical career after his long run with Slayer?
Legendary SLAYER guitarist Kerry king is set to embark on a 28-date North American headline tour in early 2025, marking a thrilling new chapter in his storied career. The tour, featuring MUNICIPAL WASTE as special guests adn ALIEN WEAPONRY as support, kicks off in san Francisco on January 15, 2025, and concludes at the House of Blues in Las Vegas on February 22.
A Homecoming for King and His Bandmates
In a recent interview with heavy Consequence‘s “Two For The Road” series, kerry King shared his excitement about the upcoming tour.”We jump at the chance to tour anywhere,” he said.Reflecting on his summer 2024 run with MASTODON and LAMB OF GOD, King added, “that was really cool as those dudes, we had a big part in both those bands’ early history, so for them to reciprocate and give me a shot, I thought that was super cool and super humbling.”
King, who now calls Manhattan home, also highlighted the significance of playing in cities close to his heart. ”We haven’t played in New York City yet.And that’s my new hometown, so that’s weird. We haven’t played the Bay Area yet,” he said. “So we’re gonna be hitting some places for the first time in this band, which is gonna be awesome for the hometowners like Phil, Paul, and mark from the Bay Area and me from New York City.”
Crafting the Perfect Setlist
When it comes to the setlist, King is meticulous. “I’m still working on the setlist and set length because I don’t want people to get burned out with two heavy hitters playing in front of us,” he explained. “I don’t wanna stay up there too long as when you play thrash, I feel there is a limit to how long you should play.”
reflections on Four Decades of Touring
King also reflected on how touring has evolved since his early days with SLAYER. “When we started out, in the very beginning we had a U-Haul and maybe my van,” he recalled. “Then we graduated to a U-Haul and a passenger van. And we were all taking turns driving the stupid thing back then.”
He noted the impact of the pandemic on the industry, saying, “One bad thing that people may not know and why ticket prices are so high thes days is as when the pandemic came around, all that shit exploded. Everything went up [in terms of cost] — buses went up and everything just plateaued.”
Meet the Band
Joining King on this tour are vocalist Mark Osegueda, guitarist Phil demmel, bassist Kyle Sanders (of HELLYEAH), and drummer Paul bostaph. The band made its live debut in May 2024 at Reggies in Chicago, followed by performances at major festivals like Welcome To Rockville and Sonic Temple.
European Tour Highlights
In June 2024, King celebrated his 60th birthday by launching a European tour in Tilburg, The Netherlands. The tour included headline shows across the U.K., Germany, Italy, and Spain, and also festival appearances at Rock Am Ring, Hellfest, and Download.
What’s Next?
Fans can expect an electrifying experience as King and his band bring their high-energy performances to cities across North America. With a mix of new material and classic thrash anthems, this tour promises to be a must-see for metal enthusiasts.
Photo credit: Andrew Stuart
How does Kerry King feel about stepping into this new chapter in his musical career after his long run with Slayer?
Archyde Exclusive Interview: Kerry King Talks 2025 North american Tour, New Music, and the Legacy of Slayer
By Archys, Archyde News Editor
As the metal world eagerly anticipates Kerry King’s 2025 North American headline tour, archyde had the privilege of sitting down with the legendary Slayer guitarist to discuss his upcoming tour, his musical journey, and what fans can expect from this thrilling new chapter in his career.
Archyde: Kerry, thank you for taking the time to speak with us. Your 2025 North American tour is already generating massive buzz.What can fans expect from this 28-date run?
Kerry King: Thanks for having me! This tour is going to be somthing special. We’re hitting cities across North America, and I’m bringing along Municipal Waste and Alien Weaponry, two unbelievable acts that are going to make this a night to remember. It’s going to be heavy,it’s going to be loud,and it’s going to be a celebration of metal.
Archyde: You’ve mentioned that this tour marks a new chapter in your career. How does it feel to step into this next phase, especially after your legendary run with Slayer?
Kerry King: It’s exciting, man. Slayer was such a huge part of my life, and I’m proud of everything we accomplished. But this is a chance for me to explore new territory, to connect with fans in a different way. I’ve got a killer band, and we’re ready to bring the energy every single night.
Archyde: Speaking of your band, you’ve got Municipal Waste and Alien Weaponry joining you on this tour. What made you choose these two acts as your special guests?
Kerry King: Municipal Waste is just pure,unadulterated thrash. They bring this insane energy that I love,and they’re a perfect fit for what we’re doing. Alien weaponry, conversely, is this young, fresh band from New Zealand that’s doing something really unique with their sound. They’re blending metal with Māori culture, and it’s incredible to see. I think fans are going to be blown away by both of them.
Archyde: You’ve been touring for decades now. What keeps you motivated to keep hitting the road?
Kerry King: it’s the fans, man. There’s nothing like being on stage and seeing that sea of people, all there for the same reason—to celebrate metal. That energy is addictive. And honestly, I just love playing music. As long as I can still do it, I’m going to keep doing it.
Archyde: You’ve also hinted at new music in the works. Can you give us any details about what’s coming next?
Kerry King: I’ve been working on some new material, and it’s shaping up to be something really special. I don’t want to give too much away, but I can say that it’s going to be heavy, it’s going to be fast, and it’s going to be everything fans expect from me. We’re planning to drop some new tracks before the tour kicks off, so keep an ear out.
Archyde: Looking back on your career,what’s one moment that stands out as truly unforgettable?
Kerry King: there have been so many incredible moments,but I think playing the final Slayer show at the Forum in Los Angeles was something I’ll never forget. It was emotional,it was intense,and it was a perfect way to close that chapter. But now, I’m looking forward to creating new memories on this tour.
Archyde: what message do you have for your fans who are counting down the days untill the tour begins?
Kerry King: Get ready for a wild ride.We’re coming to your city,and we’re bringing the heat. this is going to be a tour to remember, and I can’t wait to see all of you out there. Let’s make some noise!
Kerry King’s 2025 North American tour kicks off on January 15 in San Francisco and concludes on Febuary 22 in Las Vegas. Tickets are on sale now, and fans won’t want to miss this epic celebration of metal.
stay tuned to Archyde for more updates on Kerry King and the latest in music news.
