SLAYER Is 'Ready' For ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME, Says KERRY KING

In a brand new interview with VH1.com, SLAYER guitarist Kerry King was asked for his thoughts on the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. He responded: "I went there [Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame And Museum in Cleveland] last year, and I was surprisingly amazed. It was awesome… I thought I'd be there for, like, 40 minutes. I spent three and a half hours. The stuff in there is amazing. It's way cooler than I ever imagined it would have been. It is really cool."

He continued: "I'm not making a ploy to get in, but it makes me think, 'Man, I hope they call my name one of these days.' I think it took them a long time to get METALLICA in there. But METALLICA basically opens door for us, because when you think of metal who do you think of next from that generation? Of course there's [BLACK] SABBATH, [JUDAS] PRIEST and [IRON] MAIDEN, without question. But for the 'Big Four,' you think METALLICA… We've always been number two on the 'Big Four' shows. So come on, Rock Hall, give us that call! We're ready! I'll donate some change or something. [Laughs]"

Despite the fact that artists are eligible for the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame 25 years after the release of their first album or single, iconic hard rock and metal bands like DEEP PURPLE, IRON MAIDEN and JUDAS PRIEST have yet to be recognized by the institution, which inducted GUNS N' ROSES in that group's first year of eligibility.

DEEP PURPLE, which has been eligible for induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame for two decades now , was denied entry to the Rock Hall in 2013 — losing out to such artists as American pop singer-songwriter Randy Newman and R&B singer Donna Summer.

KISS was passed over by the Hall since 1998 before finally getting the nod in April 2014.