Kerry King Names Slayers Most Challenging Song To Play 'I'm Not Looking to Play It Live Any Time Soon!'

Kerry King named Slayer's "Dittohead" as the most challenging he ever played "for the sheer speed of it", and revealed which of Jeff Hanneman's riffs he likes best.

Even within the context of thrash metal, a movement characterized by speedy guitar runs, Slayer had set a precedent for speed.

And while Slayer's recent one-off almost shock reunion showed that its surviving members are still more than capable of doing their classic material justice, some parts of the thrash giants' discography can still pose a challenge.

During a recent fan Q&A conducted by Metal Hammer, Kerry King was posed the question of "the hardest song he ever played", to which he replied:

"I could go a number of ways with that [question], but I'll say 'Dittohead' for the sheer speed of it. That's probably our fastest song, and it's not one I'm looking to play live any time soon!"

While discussing his solo debut "From Hell I Rise" earlier this year, King said:

"There's a fine line between playing fast, and too fast. Because, if you get too fast, and don't let the riff breathe, the riff gets lost in the song. That's an art we've discovered over time, but can you speed up anything, you add the punk element — which Jeff [Hanneman] was always into before any of us were. Then it blossomed in me from Jeff [Hanneman]."

King was also asked to name a favorite riff written by his late bandmate Jeff. He said:

"That's difficult. I have to say 'Raining Blood' [from 1986's 'Reign In Blood']. It's not just one riff in that song, but a whole showcase. If you pushed me, I'd say the intro too, as people still sing along to that guitar line."

Raining blood is still a fan favourite and one of Slayers legendary tracks. The galloping intro incites chaos among crowds all around the world!