If you are a fan of Slayer, and picked up their 2015 album Repentless (Nuclear Blast, then you might be aware of the three music videos/ short films directed by BJ Mcdonnell; ‘Replentless, ‘You Against You’ and ‘Pride in Prejudice’ from the album. Now serialized in a three issue series is coming out monthly from Dark Horse Comics, Slayer- Repentless the comic is written by Jonathan Schnepp (Metalocalypse: Dethklok, Collider on YouTube), drawn by Guiu Villanova (The Twilight Zone, 100 Bullets, Dark Shadows, Weird Detective), lettered by Nate Piekos (Darkhorse Presents, Marvel Adventures: Fantastic Four, Green Arrow, Weird Detective) and colored by Maurico Wallace (Weird Detective, Magnus: Robot Fighter, Turok).Continue reading →
The almighty Slayer released Reign In Blood (Def Jam) on October 7th, 1986, and completely changed the game. The follow-up to 1983’s Show No Mercy (Metal Blade) and 1985’s Hell Awaits (Metal Blade) was highly anticipated by fans all over the world, and the four legends delivered on every level. Reign In Blood immediately became an instant classic in the metal scene, and thirty years later, it’s still considered one of the most important records in the history of heavy metal.Continue reading →
Slayer (bassist/vocalist Tom Araya, guitarist Kerry King, and returning drummer Paul Bostaph, along with touring guitarist Gary Holt) have completed recording their yet to be titled eleventh studio album with producer Terry Date, due out later this year via their own yet to be named label (through Nuclear Blast).
Following Slayer’s studio sessions in March 2014 that yielded the track “Implode,” offered by the band as a free download, Slayer recorded on and off between September and mid-January at L.A.’s Henson Studios, and is currently mixing the album. Eleven songs have been recorded, but what will end up on the final track listing is yet to be determined. Early reports indicate that Slayer fans have a lot to look forward to – the new music is a sonic assault of brutal, ominous, lightening-fast and heavy-as-hell music with lyrics that unmask what Slayer knows best – the terror, the corruption and the societal turmoil that dominates our world.
Fans got a second preview of the new album this past Saturday when another one of the new songs, “When The Stillness Comes,” was released as a limited-edition (only 5000 copies worldwide), seven-inch vinyl picture disc exclusive for Record Store Day.
The new album marks the first time Slayer has worked with producer Terry Date (Slipknot, Soundgarden, Deftones), Bostaph’s return to the Slayer recording line-up since 2001’s God Hates Us All, and Holt’s first appearance on a Slayer album. It’s also the first Slayer album without the presence of founding guitarist Jeff Hanneman, athough a Hanneman-penned song is on the final track listing.
Slayer will tour extensively to support the new album, headlining this summer’sRockstar Energy Mayhem Festival, as well as playing other major outdoor festivals and several “An Evening With…” Slayer only concerts.
Apr 24: Iron City – Birmingham, AL (“An Evening with…” headline dates) Apr 25: Metropolitian Park (Monster Energy Welcome to Rockville) – Jacksonville, FL Apr 26: Civic Theatre – New Orleans, LA (“An Evening with…” headline dates) May 01: Farm Bureau Live (Lunatic Luau) – Virginia Beach, VA May 03: Carolina Rebellion – Charlotte, NC May 22: Rocklahoma – Pryor, OK May 23: Socorro Casino – El Paso, TX (“An Evening with…” headline dates) Jun 13: Bonnaroo – Manchester, TN Jun 16: Paramount – Huntington (Long Island), NY (“An Evening with…” headline dates) Jun 17: Paramount – Huntington (Long Island), NY (“An Evening with…” headline dates) Jun 19: State Theatre – Portland, ME Jun 20: Amnesia Rockfest – Montebello, QC
(Mayhem headline dates): Jun 26: Sleep Train Amphitheater – San Diego, CA Jun 27: San Manuel Amphitheater – San Bernardino, CA Jun 28: Shoreline Amphitheater – Mountain View, CA Jun 30: White River Amphitheater – Auburn, WA (Seattle) Jul 01: Idaho Center Amphitheater – Boise, ID Jul 03: Ak-Chin Amphitheater – Phoenix, AZ Jul 04: Isleta Amphitheater – Albuquerque, NM Jul 05: Red Rocks – Denver, CO Jul 07: Harrah’s Council Bluffs – Council Bluffs, IA Jul 08: Eagles Ballroom – Milwaukee, WI Jul 10: Klipsch Amphitheater – Noblesville, IN (Indianapolis) Jul 11: DTE Energy Amphitheater – Clarkston, MI (Detroit) Jul 12: First Midwest Bank Amphitheater – Tinley Park, IL (Chicago) Jul 15: Molson Canadian Amphitheatre – Toronto, ON Jul 17: Susquehanna Bank Arts Center – Camden, NJ (Philadelphia) Jul 18: First Niagara Pavilion – Burgettstown, PA (Pittsburgh) Jul 19: Xfinity Theatre – Hartford, CT Jul 21: PNC Bank Arts Center – Holmdel, NJ Jul 22: Meadowbrook (Bank of NH Pavilion) – Gilford, NH Jul 24: Jiffy Lube Live – Bristow, VA Jul 25: Xfinity Center – Boston, MA Jul 26: Nikon at Jones Beach – Wantagh, NY Jul 29: Aaron’s Amphitheater at Lakewood – Atlanta, GA Jul 31: Whitewater Amphitheater – San Antonio, TX Aug 01: Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion – Houston, TX Aug 02: Gexa Energy Amphitheater – Dallas, TX
Slayer is streaming “When The Stillness Comes,” their new song and single along with a live recording of “Black Magic,” recorded live at the 2014 Wacken Open Air Festival will be available as a seven inch vinyl picture disc on Record Store Day on April 18, 2015. Stream it below.
Slayer completed recording on their new album with producer Terry Date (Pantera, Deftones), who also worked with the band on “Implode,” which was available as a free download following the band’s surprise appearance at last year’s Revolver Golden Gods Awards. Other songtitles set to appear on the new Slayer album — tentatively due in August — include “Atrocity Vendor” (which previously came out as the B-side to the “World Painted Blood” seven-inch), “Take Control”, “You Against You”, “Chasing Death”, “Cast The First Stone”, “Pride” (working title) and “Vices” (working title).
Joining guitarist Kerry King and bassist/vocalist Tom Araya during the sessions for their new album are returning drummer Paul Bostaph, who replaced Dave Lombardo in 2013, and guitarist Gary Holt (also of Exodus), who has been filling in for Jeff Hanneman on tour for the past four years.
Slayer bassist/vocalist gave a recording update on the band’s eleventh studio album, due out later in 2015 via Nuclear Blast. The band recorded their new album over a four month period at Hollywood, CA studio Henson Studios with producer Terry Date (Pantera, Soundgarden, Korn).
“We’re in kind of the beginning stages of the finishing stages, if that makes any sense,”
“We’re doing the mixing and mastering now, but we still need to sit down and figure out the album title, the album cover, the song titles, and the song list. We’ve recorded 13 songs for it; we’ll probably put ten on there, but who knows? Maybe you’ll get lucky and we’ll put all 13 on there!”
The album will be the first without co-founder, guitarist and co-writer Jeff Hanneman, who passed away in May 2013 from alcohol-related cirrhosis of the liver. Exodus guitarist Gary Holt and returning drummer Paul Bostaph (replacing Dave Lombardo) have joined the band and are recording the new album.
Said Araya:
“The whole process of this album started three years ago, when Jeff was still a part of it. There is one track on there that we recorded with him, that he did play on, which was completely done except we hadn’t finalized the vocals for it. So we were fortunate to have something that he had participated in.”
According to Araya, it’s been “just odd and strange” making the new album without Hanneman “because he’s never gonna be there again, you know?” he said. “Even when we were doing stuff without him while he was still alive, that felt strange. Yeah, I missed him during the process. But the way things turned out, I think he was definitely a part of it, even if he wasn’t there physically.”
Slayer will release their first new track in over a year called “When The Stillness Comes” as part of Record Store Day on April 18, 2015, as announced by Slayer and Nuclear Blast.
Slayer Side A: “When the Stillness Comes”
It is accompanied by a live recording of “Black Magic,” from the band’s 1983 album Show No Mercy and recorded live at the 2014 Wacken Open Air Festival, will be available as a limited-edition (only 5000 copies worldwide), 7-inch vinyl picture disc exclusively at all participating independent record stories worldwide.
Slayer Side B: “Black Magic”
Slayer – Tom Araya, Kerry King and Paul Bostaph – recorded “When The Stillness Comes” last year in Los Angeles with producer Terry Date. Currently, the band is in the final stages of recording what will be its first new album since 2009’s Grammy-nominated World Painted Blood, which is expected out later this year.
The five time nominated, two-time Grammy winning metal act has been named as one of “The Big Four” with Metallica, Megadeth and Anthrax that defined the thrash metal genre. With songs that mirror the turmoil and aberrations of our society – God’s terrifying global genocide, the chaos of our broken political system, chemical warfare, the hideous minds of serial killers, and the way-too-close proximity of world horrors that technology has brought us, Slayer remains crushing and brutal, steadfastly refusing to cater to the Mainstream. Slayer’s founding member, guitarist Jeff Hanneman passed in 2013, and Exodus guitarist Gary Holt has been filling in since. Paul Bostaph, who was Slayer’s drummer from ’94 – ’01, has rejoined bassist/vocalist Tom Araya and guitarist Kerry King, and is back behind the kit. Slayer is currently in the studio recording a new album set for a 2015 release. Slayer on Facebook Slayer on Twitter Slayer on YouTube
New Englanders are no strangers to low temperatures and the ever growing line of people hiding from the cold winds beside The Palladium in late November to be among the first inside showed a strong resolve. It could have also have just been plain, old idiocy but you do a lot of stupid things for people (i.e. bands) that you love. I was one of said idiots.
First to take the stage were Exodus, fronted by Steve Zetro Sousa once again. This was only my second time seeing the band, the first was while Rob Dukes was still an active member, but they continue to put on a fantastic show for their fans. The crowd belted out the words to newer songs like ‘Blacklist’ as well as tracks like ‘Toxic Waltz,’ an Exodus classic. However, nothing ever seems to hit people quite like ‘Bonded by Blood’ does and the floor always becomes a mass of writhing bodies. Everyone knows and loves that song. Your mom loves that song. Despite line up changes, the machine that is Exodus is still going strong. Can we just take a second to talk about Gary Holt? The man has been doing this since well before I was even born and he’s just as psyched to be out on that stage as ever. He’s like a puppy made of thrash.
A band that didn’t quite seem to fit the thrash themed lineup came on next; Suicidal Tendencies. I had never seen them before and I wasn’t sure what to expect since I wasn’t overly familiar with their material but I quickly learned that Mike Muir has far more rhythm than I do. We were treated to a few of my personal favorites in ‘Subliminal’ and ‘War Inside My Head’. As expected, ST performed ‘I Saw Your Mommy’ and the crowd absolutely ate it up. Michael Morgan’s bass playing was a nice surprise as well and I found myself grinning, like an idiot, to a fellow bass loving girlfriend of mine more than once. He was more than adequate in place of the recently passed away Tim “Rawbiz” Williams (RIP). I would definitely love to see them again. Uncle Mike stopped a few times in between songs to give us some life advice that can only come from someone who’s made it out to the other side in (mostly) one piece. It was a very positive experience. If you haven’t caught Suicidal yet, get out there. You’ll have a great time.
Last, but not least, came Slayer which saw Holt back in front of the crowd for the second time that evening. The venue was smaller than the arena that they had played in last year, the prices were more reasonable, and fans came out in droves to show their support. Their set opened with ‘World Painted Blood’ and lead into a roughly two hour long performance. I got my favorite song in with ‘Dead Skin Mask’ which always just makes me want to hug the person next to me and tell them how much I love them. Just go with it. Other notable songs included ‘War Ensemble,’ ‘Seasons in the Abyss,’ ‘Disciple,’ and another feel-good favorite of mine, ‘South of Heaven’. The crowd had been moshing all night but ‘Raining Blood’ filled everyone with second, more aggressive, wind as they tore into one another again and again. Much like last year, ‘Angel of Death’ was dedicated to the fallen Jeff Hanneman. There’s been a lot of talk since Jeff’s passing and Dave Lombardo’s departure from the band but they are still worth seeing.
I don’t think anyone walked out of The Palladiumthat night and was dissatisfied with how they had spent their evening. Exodus and Suicidal Tendencies are still going strong and putting on great performances. While Slayer may not be the vicious, wild animal that it was in years past they’re still more than capable of putting on one hell of a show and this perseverance is what keeps them relevant and keeps us coming back for more.
Although Slayer has gone through a lot in the past year, they went on tour to prove that they still got it. The tour was pitched as being a bit of a throwback tour where classic tracks off of their first few albums would be played. Supporting Slayer were the French prog/death metallers Gorjia and the Australians 4ARM.
4ARM were the newest band on the bill and one that not many attendees knew of. The unsuspecting crowd was fairly blown away by them. They are the kind of band that is nothing, but pure metal. 4ARM crushed all with songs like ‘Submission for Liberty’ and ‘Raise a Fist’. At this point in time, the Tsongas Center was mostly empty but those on the floor were right against the stage and rocking out. Their set only lasted six songs; just enough to give the audience a taste of their potential and to make them interested.
Gojira is a name that has grown bigger over the past few years. Those who are not familiar with the music are at least familiar with the name and reputation as a solid metal band. Although different in nature from 4ARM, Gojira much more powerful. They are less thrash and more technical. This showed in the audience’s slow headbanging to songs such as ‘L’Enfant Sauvage’ and ‘The Axe’. People continued to trickle in but no one seemed in a rush to hear them which was a bit of a disappointment for such a great and talented band.
By the time Slayer came on stage, everyone was going wild. It was disheartening to see that much of the arena was still empty. The venue had trouble selling tickets but none could seem to pinpoint whether it had to do with the venue’s location, high ticket prices, or the band lineup changes. No matter. Those faithful fans who still believe in Slayer and their music despite all that had happened over the past year found a way to be there that night.
As promised, Slayer reached back into their history and started off their set by playing the title track off of 1985’s Hell Awaits.Gary Holt and Paul Bostaph fit right in with Tom Araya and Kerry King, which comes as no surprise considering both have played with the band in the past. They had no problem playing the material they had not been a part of. Such classic tracks included: ‘Necrophiliac’, ‘The Antichrist’, ‘Die by the Sword’, ‘Seasons in the Abyss’, and of course ‘Raining Blood’. The only cover they played was Exodus’s ‘Strike of the Beast’, a nod to Holt being a member of the band. Their encore consisted of ‘South of Heaven’ and ‘Angel of Death’, where a banner commemorating Jeff Hanneman was displayed. The audience showed their love for the old music through the set by going as wildly as they could. There were even multiple instances of wheel chair bound crowd surfers! It just goes to show that true Slayer fans will always find a way to have a great time.
I can’t believe I just wrote the words Jeff Hanneman, legendary guitarist of Slayer, passed away; but I did. I really didn’t want to believe it was true and me being ever the skeptic, I was sure Slayer’s Facebook page was hacked and this was a sick joke. But it wasn’t. Jeff Hanneman really passed away yesterday at the young at of 49 from liver failure, with a lot of life in him and many riffs we won’t get to hear.Continue reading →
