From Hell I Rise: Kerry King Rocks Toronto’s Danforth Music Hall

Despite the freezing temperature outside The Danforth Music Hall, metalheads poured in for Kerry King’s North American Tour. Battle vests adorned with patches from thrash and crossover legends were the outfit of choice. The venue quickly filled as the night’s heavy-hitting lineup of Alien Weaponry, Municipal Waste, and the legendary Kerry King prepared to tear the stage apart.

Kicking off the night was Alien Weaponry, the Māori thrash metal warriors from New Zealand. The trio wasted no time igniting the crowd, delivering a blistering set that balanced aggression with cultural depth. They introduced their new track “Mau Moko” from their upcoming album Te Rā, set to drop on March 28, 2025. The band’s signature fusion of groove, thrash, and Māori heritage resonated powerfully, and by the time they tore through “Kai Tangata,” the pit was already in full swing.

Municipal Waste followed with their signature brand of high-speed crossover thrash, turning the pit into a chaotic whirlwind of flailing limbs and headbanging mayhem. Frontman Tony Foresta was in peak form, working the crowd between songs with his usual mix of humor and provocation. Before launching into “Wave of Death,” he playfully placed a garbage can over his head and ran around the stage with it on. He joked about throwing beer, weed, and pills on stage before riling up the crowd into chanting “Municipal Waste is gonna fuck you up!” The band’s relentless assault included classics like “Sadistic Magician,” “Slime and Punishment,” and “Born to Party,” keeping the energy at a fever pitch.

By the time Kerry King took the stage at 9:00 PM, the Danforth was primed for an all-out thrash assault. Backed by an all-star lineup featuring Mark Osegueda on vocals (Death Angel), Paul Bostaph on drums (Slayer), Phil Demmel on guitars (Machine Head), and Kyle Sanders on bass (Hellyeah), King wasted no time unleashing hell. The pit exploded into its most frenzied state of the night as they ripped into “Where I Reign” and “Rage.”

King’s setlist was a well-balanced mix of tracks from his solo album From Hell I Rise and legendary Slayer cuts. The ferocity of “Trophies of the Tyrant” and “Residue” blended seamlessly with the brutality of “Repentless” and “Disciple.” A particularly emotional moment came when the band paid tribute to the late Paul Di’Anno of Iron Maiden, who passed away in October 2024. The crowd roared in approval as they tore through covers of “Purgatory” and “Killers,” a fitting salute to a metal pioneer.

It was a monumental experience witnessing Kerry King command the stage with his new band, proving that his creative fire is still burning at full force. His signature chainsaw riffs, searing solos, and unrelenting stage presence reminded everyone why he remains one of thrash metal’s most formidable figures. As the night neared its climax, the set took a turn toward Slayer’s most iconic material. “At Dawn They Sleep,” “Raining Blood,” and “Black Magic” were delivered with the same venomous intensity that made them legendary.

Closing with “From Hell I Rise,” Kerry King left no doubt that he remains one of thrash metal’s reigning titans. The Danforth may not have been at full capacity, but those who braved the cold were treated to a masterclass in relentless, uncompromising metal. As fans spilled out into the frozen Toronto streets, one thing was certain—Kerry King’s reign is far from over.

Special thanks to Kendra Gough at F7 Entertainment for the accreditation.

Kerry King

Municipal Waste

Alien Weaponry

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Drew Osborne

I’m Drew, the founder and editor of Front of the Stage. I have a strong love for music and photography, which started at a very young age. There’s just something I love about experiencing live music and capturing memories that will last a lifetime, and that’s how Front of the Stage came to be.