If you don't tour, you cannot expect to sell a huge numbers of your albums either. It was both a business - and an economical decision and we wanted to play anyway. We just wanted to get out for the tour when it was safe enough for us.

Russ Dismuke was his teacher. Hanneman mentioned "Why don’t we start our OWN band?” [Laughs] I was like “… Fuck yeah!" King's trademark appearance was praised to such a degree by Blender magazine who included a tour of his body ink. He co-founded the band with Jeff Hanneman in 1981 and has been a member ever since.

He has made guest appearances with acts including the Beastie Boys Marilyn Manson Pantera Anthrax Ice-T Witchery Sum 41 Megadeth and Metallica. Kerry Ray King (born June 3 1964) is an American musician best known as the lead and rhythm guitarist for the American thrash metal band Slayer. He co-founded the band with Jeff Hanneman in 1981 and has been a member ever since.