Stepping into the spotlight as the voice of Kerry King‘s new musical chapter brings with it an inevitable weight: the comparison to Slayer‘s iconic frontman, Tom Araya. For Death Angel vocalist Mark Osegueda, who secured the coveted spot in the thrash legend’s solo project over two years ago, the task is one of reverence rather than replication.
In a wide-ranging interview on the “Iron City Rocks” podcast, Osegueda detailed the secretive and lengthy process of joining the band—which also features drummer Paul Bostaph (Slayer), bassist Kyle Sanders (Hellyeah), and guitarist Phil Demmel (ex-Machine Head)—and addressed the pressure of performing Slayer classics live.
When asked if he felt any trepidation about tackling Slayer‘s back catalog, given the stylistic differences between his voice and Araya‘s distinctive delivery, Osegueda emphasized his deep respect for the source material. He noted that while the new Kerry King material required him to tap into his “most aggressive” register, the Slayer tracks demanded a fan’s dedication.
“Well, I’ve always respected Tom, and I really admire his voice and always have,” Osegueda told the podcast (as transcribed by Blabbermouth). “So, actually, when I got the gig with Kerry, we were mostly just working on the original material… Kerry pretty much had what he wanted. He laid down the guide vocal and said, ‘This is what I want, just more aggressive.’ So I just went in there and gave it my all and made it very, very aggressive.”
However, when the setlist turns to the classics, Osegueda shifts his mindset from creation to tribute.
“Then it’s when it came to playing live and that’s when we throw in some Slayer songs. But with that, I’m a Slayer fan, so it doesn’t take me long to learn the songs. So I just get up there and I do him justice — I do Tom justice. That’s the way I see it, for sure. And I say that because justice needs to be done, if you’re gonna sing him, ’cause got such a unique voice and I think a great voice. And that’s why — I do my best to do him justice, and I think I do.”
Osegueda also revealed that his recruitment wasn’t entirely a passive affair. The singer actively pursued the role after hearing whispers within the industry that his name was circulating in King‘s camp. The initial spark occurred during a NAMM convention, amidst the chaos of after-parties and performances with Metal Allegiance.
“At this particular [NAMM], a couple of people just approached me… and said, ‘You’re one of the people Kerry‘s considering for his new project.’ It kind of took me aback. I’m, like, ‘Really?’ Because I’m friends with Kerry, and it was never mentioned to me. And then it started getting a little mouse in my head running.”
As the pandemic set in, Osegueda consulted with trusted “heavy hitters” in the music industry, asking if he should make a move. Their response was blunt: “You’d be a fool not to.”
Emboldened, Osegueda sent a text to the guitarist that sealed his fate.
“I just kind of texted him and just said, ‘Hey, man. I know you’re putting something together. And I just wanna throw my hat in the ring.’ I go, ‘or rather my throat in the ring.’ And his response was, ‘I’d be lying if I [said I] hadn’t thought about it.'”
What followed was a clandestine collaboration process that spanned years. King began sending instrumentals and lyrics to Osegueda, leading to private demo sessions in Southern California. The pair managed to demo the entire debut album before King officially offered him the job.
“He already had the whole [rest of the] band picked out, except he kind of waited until the last minute before he finally said, ‘Okay, you’re the guy,'” Osegueda recalled. “And when he finally did, he pulled me aside — this was a couple of years later, since I started the process — and he just kind of said, ‘If you want the gig, it’s yours.’ And I just gave him a big hug. I’m, like, ‘F**k yeah. I do.'”
Reflecting on the current state of the band, Osegueda expressed nothing but gratitude. “I love working with Kerry, and I love being in that band. It’s a blast. I love all the guys. It’s been a great experience.”
