The Regency Ballroom in San Francisco was set ablaze on January 15, 2025, as thrash icon Kerry King launched his highly anticipated tour with an unrelenting setlist that left no survivors. With Municipal Waste bringing their trademark crossover chaos and Alien Weaponry delivering a culturally infused metal experience, the night was a full-throttle celebration of thrash metal at its finest.
Alien Weaponry wasted no time in setting the stage on fire. The New Zealand trio—Henry de Jong (drums), Lewis de Jong (guitar/vocals), and Tūranga Morgan-Edmonds (bass)—infused traditional Māori influences into their thunderous thrash sound.
Kicking off with “Raupatu,” the band’s punishing groove and war-chant-like vocals immediately commanded attention. “Holding My Breath” followed, showcasing Lewis de Jong’s dynamic vocal range and the intricate rhythms laid down by Henry de Jong. The brand-new song “Mau Moko” introduced a fresh yet ferocious element, hinting at exciting new directions for the band. “Ru Ana Te Whenua” and their signature closer “Kai Tangata” sealed their performance with explosive intensity, leaving the audience in awe of their raw power and cultural depth.
Municipal Waste stormed the stage next, proving why they remain one of the most exhilarating live acts in thrash. Tony Foresta’s rapid-fire delivery and boundless stage presence kept the energy at a fever pitch from the opening note. Guitarist Ryan Waste and Nick “Nikropolis” Poulos shredded through riffs with surgical precision, while bassist Philip “Landphil” Hall and drummer Dave Witte drove each track forward with unrelenting speed.
From the moment they tore into their set, it was pure thrash carnage. The circle pit erupted as they blasted through fan favorites like “Breathe Grease” and “The Art of Partying,” while newer tracks held their own with just as much ferocity. The band’s signature blend of speed, humor, and chaos was on full display, ensuring the crowd was primed and ready for the night’s main attraction.
The lights dimmed, and the venue was swallowed by darkness before the unmistakable chug of “Where I Reign” erupted from Kerry King’s guitar. Backed by a formidable lineup—Mark Osegueda (vocals), Phil Demmel (guitar), Paul Bostaph (drums), and Kyle Sanders (bass)—King wasted no time in unleashing an absolute onslaught of thrash fury.
“Rage” followed with searing intensity, Osegueda’s vocals cutting through the mix with precision and power. “Trophies of the Tyrant” and “Residue” showcased the band’s seamless synergy, with Demmel’s fiery solos complementing King’s signature riffing. The rhythm section was a relentless force, with Bostaph’s double-bass assault and Sanders’ punishing basslines providing an unstoppable backbone.
The setlist seamlessly blended new material with thrash classics, keeping the energy levels soaring. “Two Fists” and “Idle Hands” delivered punishing grooves before the first Slayer anthem of the night, “Repentless,” sent the crowd into a frenzy.
The momentum only built from there. “Toxic” and “Tension” showcased King’s songwriting prowess, while “Everything I Hate About You” allowed Osegueda to unleash pure vocal aggression. Then came a poignant tribute to the late Paul Di’Anno with back-to-back renditions of Iron Maiden’s “Purgatory” and “Killers,” a heartfelt moment that resonated deeply with the audience.
As the set surged forward, “At Dawn They Sleep” reminded fans why Slayer’s influence is eternal, with Demmel and King trading crushing riffs. “Crucifixation” and “Shrapnel” further cemented the sheer force of this new lineup before King unleashed the final Slayer classics of the night—”Raining Blood” and “Black Magic.”
The night ended with a monstrous “From Hell I Rise,” a statement piece proving that Kerry King is still the reigning master of thrash metal. As the last notes rang out, the crowd was left in awe, knowing they had witnessed the triumphant return of a legend.
Each member of King’s band brought their ferocity and precision to the performance. Mark Osegueda, known for his work with Death Angel, proved to be an outstanding frontman, seamlessly balancing aggression and melody. His stage presence was electric, engaging the crowd with every growl and wail. Phil Demmel, formerly of Machine Head, provided a powerful counterpart to King’s riffing, delivering intricate solos and rhythm work that solidified the band’s tight, crushing sound.
Paul Bostaph, a longtime Slayer collaborator, was nothing short of a drumming juggernaut. His double-bass work on tracks like “Repentless” and “At Dawn They Sleep” was punishingly precise, pushing the band’s sound to an almost war-like intensity. Kyle Sanders on bass ensured the low end remained thunderous, with his performance on “Shrapnel” and “Crucifixation” adding an extra layer of depth to the mix. Together, this lineup felt less like a backing band and more like an unstoppable thrash unit, each musician feeding off the raw energy of the setlist.
This performance wasn’t just a showcase of Kerry King’s new material; it was a declaration that thrash metal is far from a relic of the past. While the inclusion of Slayer classics satisfied longtime fans, the newer songs truly stood out, proving King still has plenty of fire left in him. The emotional tribute to Paul Di’Anno added an extra layer of weight to the evening, showing that King and his band not only honor metal’s history but continue to build upon it.
As the crowd dispersed into the San Francisco night, one thing was clear: Kerry King’s tour had begun with an earth-shattering roar, and if this show was any indication, the rest of the tour would be nothing short of legendary.
Kerry King – Setlist:
- Where I Reign
- Rage
- Trophies of the Tyrant
- Residue
- Two Fists
- Idle Hands
- Repentless – (Slayer song)
- Toxic
- Tension
- Everything I Hate About You
- Disciple – (Slayer song)
- Purgatory – (Iron Maiden cover)
- Killers – (Iron Maiden cover)
- At Dawn They Sleep – (Slayer song)
- Crucifixation
- Shrapnel
- Raining Blood – (Slayer song)
- Black Magic – (Slayer song)
- From Hell I Rise
Photos by Scott Martin Photography
Kerry King
Municipal Waste
