Before Slayer became a defining force in thrash metal, guitarist Kerry King briefly ventured into a different musical direction that might have led him to the formative days of Megadeth.In a candid discussion with Gastão Moreira, the host of Bangers Open Air, King reminisced about his significant yet fleeting involvement as the second guitarist for the band.
“I hold great respect for Mustaine. I regard him as one of the top guitarists even today,” stated King, as reported by an article from Blabbermouth. “When he approached me to play alongside him on second guitar,I felt honored. Even back then, I recognized his extraordinary talent.”
Kerry King’s association with Megadeth took place during a pivotal moment in his career. He played at the band’s initial five performances but never officially joined them. When asked if he was already part of Slayer at that time, he confirmed, “Yes, we were sort of between albums.”
The prospect that King might have transitioned from one of thrash’s “Big Four” bands to help establish another is captivating. though, when probed about whether he ever contemplated leaving Slayer for Megadeth , his answer was reflective:
“I may have considered it at some point; however,< strong>Slayer is where my true passion lies. Looking back now,I’m certain I made the right decision because otherwise,< strong>Dave would have clashed with me like no other—his personality is just like that. Just ask anyone who’s been in his band—fifty people? And that’s not meant to disparage< strong >Mustaine.I enjoy spending 20 minutes with him before needing some space and saying ‘I’ll catch you next year.’”
Kerry King’s insights underscore both< Strong>Megadeth’s impact and reaffirm why his genuine calling has always been with< strong>Slayer. The idea of an alternate timeline where< Strong>Kerry King remained a founding member of< strong>Megadeth is intriguing; nonetheless, his instincts—keen as they were—ultimately aligned perfectly with the legacy forged through albums such as< em>No Mercy and beyond. <
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