Someone asked Kerry King the hardest song he’s ever played during a recent fan Q&A session for Metal Hammer.
“I could go a number of ways with that [question],” the guitarist shared, “but I’ll say ‘Dittohead’ [from ‘Divine Intervention’] 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!”
‘Divine Intervention’ marked Slayer’s first album without original drummer Dave Lombardo. Released in 1994, it featured Paul Bostaph as drummer instead. ‘Dittohead’ came as a single from the record and often made it into the band’s setlists until 2018.
King also mentioned his favorite guitar riffs from Slayer’s Jeff Hanneman era during the interview by saying, “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.”
The guitarist formed Slayer with Hanneman, Tom Araya, and Dave Lombardo in 1981. Their Rick Rubin-produced 1986 album boosted the band’s profile and received critical praise despite controversy over its Nazi reference in ‘Angel of Death.’
Hanneman passed away in 2013 at the age of 49 due to liver failure. Slayer officially retired in 2019 but has since reunited and played three U.S. festival shows in 2024.