🥊 Legendary Slayer guitarist Kerry King is known for his unfiltered opinions, and he certainly didn’t hold back when asked to weigh in on one of metal’s favorite debates: Who was the better Ozzy Osbourne guitarist, Jake E. Lee or Zakk Wylde?
While King gave a decisive answer, the most explosive moment came when he injected a completely separate rivalry into the discussion, delivering a brutal jab at Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine.
The Ozzy Guitarist Showdown
Kerry King made it clear that while both guitarists brought unique elements to Ozzy’s band, he heavily favors one over the other.
is highly respected in the thrash community, given his own status as a pioneer of the genre. Jake E. Lee contributed classic riffs on albums like Bark at the Moon, known for his technical flair and unique tone. Zakk Wylde, on the other hand, defined Ozzy’s sound for the next three decades, famous for his aggressive pinch harmonics, bluesy swagger, and incredible versatility across albums like No More Tears. The contrast between their styles makes the debate fierce among fans, and King’s verdict was eagerly anticipated.
The Mustaine Mid-Fight Punch
However, King didn’t stop at just comparing two guitarists. True to his reputation for igniting controversy, King used the moment to take a swipe at one of his genre rivals, Dave Mustaine.
The long-running animosity between Slayer and Megadeth, and specifically between Kerry King and Dave Mustaine, is metal folklore. King previously played guitar for Megadeth during their initial formation, leading to a complex and often hostile professional relationship.
It’s expected that in giving his assessment of Lee versus Wylde, King leveraged the comparison to make a point about artistic ego, skill, or influence—all areas where Mustaine is famously sensitive and protective of his reputation. King’s inclusion of a jab at the Megadeth leader turned a simple guitar comparison into a full-fledged metal sparring session.
The fact that King chose to pivot from a neutral comparison to an unprompted attack on Mustaine underscores the deep-seated rivalry and King’s reputation for having the most caustic wit in the thrash metal world.