KERRY KING Can’t Be Bothered By IRON MAIDEN’s Recent Albums: “Their Songs Have Gotten So Long”

Kerry King is having a whirlwind year. With the release of his much-anticipated solo debut, From Hell I Rise, and a lineup of upcoming Slayer reunion shows, you’d think King would barely have time to stay updated with the music scene. However, in a recent interview with RIFFX, transcribed by Ultimate Guitar, King shared that he still finds moments to check out what his peers are creating.

King commented on Bruce Dickinson’s latest solo album, The Mandrake Project, while explaining why his enthusiasm for Iron Maiden has waned: “I haven’t heard Bruce’s new album, but a friend of mine said it’s better than Iron Maiden. I wouldn’t be surprised—nothing against Maiden, but their songs have gotten so long, man, I just can’t keep up with it. My attention span isn’t that great.”

Regarding Judas Priest’s new album, Invincible Shield, King has caught a few tracks via satellite radio. “I haven’t listened to Judas Priest’s whole new album, but I’ve heard some songs on satellite radio. Some are typical Priest. One track, ‘The Serpent and the King,’ really stood out. It sounds like an evolution of what Priest does. I enjoyed that one. I haven’t heard the whole album yet, but I definitely will. In fact, I’m going to be playing with Priest in a couple of weeks.”

King’s insights on these albums reflect his respect for artists who stick to their signature sound, which he expects for his own music as well. He acknowledges that fans will naturally compare his solo work to Slayer and welcomes it.

“For instance, I love AC/DC because they sound like AC/DC. I think that’s why everyone likes AC/DC. So, when someone says my solo work sounds a bit like Slayer, I’m like, ‘What do you expect it to sound like?’ I’ve been setting the stage for this sound for the past 40 years. It would be odd if people didn’t compare it to my last band, considering how much I contributed to Slayer’s music and lyrics. This solo band, what else would it sound like?”

King’s commitment to his musical roots is evident: “This is the music I want to play. If I ever wanted to do something different from Slayer, now would have been the time. But clearly, I didn’t. This is what I enjoy, and I think it’s why people appreciate my music.”