February 2, 2025
Kerry King brings his post-Slayer heat to Montreal
Anyone worth their salt in the metal world at least knows about and has heard of Slayer – and by extension, Kerry King. A strange few might not claim to be fans of the band, but whatever, the point is that Slayer’s reach stretched the globe over and even into areas that aren’t particularly friendly to the realm of heavy metal.
So when it was announced that Kerry King, the former axeman of the mighty Slayer was bringing his new project – featuring an all-star cast that we’ll get into a little later on, well you can imagine the reaction Slayer nation had.
See Also: Voivod and the OSM at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Montreal
It might have felt like the artic circle outside the venue, as Montreal remained in -20 degree weather, but inside L’Olympia, things were about to get hotter than hell.
Alien Weaponry
The night began with Auckland’s Alien Weaponry stepping out onto a dark stage, where prior to their set, they performed a traditional Māori haka, the war dance of the Māori people in New Zealand. Lead by drummer Henry de Jong, performing the ritualistic dance from behind his drum set, I felt priviledged to be experiencing such a thing in such close proximity. Until tonight, I have only seen such a thing prior to All Black’s rugby matches on television.
In fact, this would also serve as my first time witnessing Alien Weaponry live and it was an experience I was glad to have had. Even though their allotted slot would garner them just enough time to stomp their way through just five tracks, it surely was enough to turn a few heads and earn themselves a few new ears. In fact, I know that to be the case as the gentleman ahead of me whipped out his phone to add them to his spotify playlist.
I myself would have left the night with an album tucked under my arm if such an option had been available. I don’t and won’t go the streaming route. It’s just not cricket.
Limited to the front portion of the stage, with the gear of the two other groups set to perform cloaked in mysticism behind them, the trio made themselves heard and felt, using what space they did have to get their message across. Their energy matched their sound as their set ended too abruptly for my tastes. Live, I got a similar vibe off of them to when I first saw Gojira as an opening band – and look where they are now. Hopefully they’ll be back sometime soon.
Municipal Waste
There is always an electricity in the air moments before Municipal Waste take to a stage. Always. And tonight was no different. This was a far bigger crowd before them than that which had squeezed to capacity at the nearby Foufounes Electriques a few days shy of a year ago.
I enjoy Tony Foresta’s banter with the crowd. It’s always funny and adds to what this band is. Tonight, he told us that he and his bandmates were rednecks, but the good kind, that really treat their bodies like shit – which is relatable way more than it probably should be, and a lot of fun to hear someone say.
Fast songs, for fast people who love fast food. And drugs, probably. Beer definitely. At one point, Foresta urged those moshing to move their activities further back, to where the people were “drinking their twenty-five dollar beers”. Yelling “Go get them!” before going to the next set of break-neck thrash tunes. I laughed. His request however went unheeded.
Municipal Waste churned out fifteen tracks on the night that seemed to pass by way too fast. My personal favorite track, You’re Cut Off among them. Other highlights included Slime And Punishment, The Thrashin’ Of The Christ, Poison The Preacher, Restless And Wicked, Breathe Grease and of course The Art Of Partying. And always, they ended with Born To Party – with the iconic line Municipal Waste is gonna fuck you up!
As much as I love Municipal Waste, and I truly fucking do, I think they are way more fun to witness in a smaller venue.
For example, Foresta attempted at several times to get two circle pits going, and from what I saw, that didn’t happen. Which is a shame but what can you do? This was an older crowd (which means I’m getting old too, dammit) and perhaps less enthusiastic about letting Municipal Waste fuck them up as a gathering that comes out primarily for them certainly would, as has been the case each and every other time I have seen these guys play.
I mean, shit, not one garbage can or recycling bin went crowd surfing as the crowd tonight kept things a little too respectful. They even began their set with Garbage Stomp. Like, come on! Where was the party? Where was the insanity! The band brought it, but the audience for once couldn’t match the bands intensity. I did see a single roll of toilet paper streaming through the air though, so there was that at least.
Problem is, they sell out all the smaller, more fun venues, so they have to play bigger spaces. It’s all good though, as the next time they come to town in the headliner seat, the chaos will surely follow and the party will sploodge and ooze out of all us again.
Kerry King
Finally, the night gave way to the man – and band – of the hour as Kerry King emerged from the darkness and fog of the venue’s smoke machines, looking striking the same as ever, and Montreal was about to be treated to what they craved most. Thrash metal. And beer, if you can stomach the twelve dollar per can rip-off that the bar insults listeners with. Late stage capitalism, ladies and germs.
King is, of course, best known as guitarist for Slayer – one of the big four of American thrash metal, and an iconic figure in the metal realm. With his shorn head, long pinch and tribal tattoos that stretch from his neck to his finger tips, few musicians are more easily recognizable than King. On stage with him, is a solid collection of metal veterans. Fellow former Slayer (as well as Forbidden, Exodus and Testament) member Paul Bostaph batters the drum skins, Kyle Sanders of Hellyeah on bass, Phil Demmel of Machine Head and Lamb Of God fame on the guitar and esteemed Death Angel singer Mark Osegueda on vocal duties.
With just the one album under their belts, and out on a headlining tour, naturally King and the boys were going to throw in a couple of covers to flesh out their setlist. Everyone and their dirty uncle expected to hear a Slayer classic or two – but I don’t think that anyone, minus those that peeked at setlists from pervious shows – myself not included in that category – expected to be treated to two covers played in tribute to the late Paul Di’Anno and Cliff Burr.
As a huge Iron Maiden fan myself (I wouldn’t even be here without them, and that’s the truth), I’m always a little weary when anyone attempts to cover their tunes – especially the early albums like Killers. I’m also a big Death Angel fan, but wasn’t sure that Osegueda should be attempting to sing Di’Anno’s classic material. His voice is a long more harsh, and while it does its melodic moments, not quite to the levels of Iron Maiden. Still, Osegueda put his own stamp on two tracks that I have loved for longer than I wish to admit – and King and company did justice to Purgatory and Killers.
There were five Slayer tracks spread through their set as well, which amped up the already hyper crowd. There’s just something about the music of Slayer, especially when played live, that just sends people into a crazed frenzy. I’ve been lucky enough to have witnessed it over many years, and despite the faces changing with the years, the result is always the same. A war ensemble of chaos and spent energy. Tonight, King and Bostaph lead their new group on a romp through cuts such as Repentless, Disciple, At Dawn They Sleep, Raining Blood and Black Magic.
Read More:
>>An ode to Slayer
>>Municipal Waste at Foufounes Electriques, Montreal
>>Testament at MTelus, Montreal
Twelve of the thirteen tracks on Kerry King’s only album to date where played, including a finale of the album’s title track, From Hell I Rise, which when completed, left fans howling for more as they always did at Slayer gigs. (I didn’t witness anyone yelling Slayer into a mailbox this time, as I had the last time Slayer had played Montreal, but what can you do.)
Osegueda promised that Kerry King will be back – and I have no reason to doubt that will be the case and I’m all for it. King and company were formidable tonight, and a packed Olympia sure seemed to echo that sentiment with me.
What a fucking night!
