"People thought we were Nazi sympathisers, and nothing could be further from the truth." The highs, lows, controversies and epic comebacks of Slayer
Few bands have left more of a mark on any music scene than the indelible bloody handprint Slayer have left on metal.
It was a horrible time in world history, but it is a historic fact, and it is something that should be brought up so people do not forget.”
Controversy aside, Reign In Blood boosted Slayer’s profile but they weren’t exactly drowning in the trappings of success. We said [back in 2018], 'This is our final tour.' It took five years for us to come and say, 'Hey, here's a couple of shows, five-year anniversary.'"
Elaborating on the significance of SLAYER's comeback live performances more than four decades after the band's formation, Kerry said: "I think it's really cool.
The new millennium saw them roar back to form with the blistering God Hates Us All in 2001.
“I realised I messed up by not being as focused,” says Kerry. It was way overwhelming."
At Riot Fest and Aftershock, SLAYER ran through a 20-song set that included opener "South Of Heaven", "Seasons In The Abyss", "Angel Of Death", "Hell Awaits", "Raining Blood" and the title track of SLAYER's final album, "Repentless".
SLAYER was also scheduled to play at the Louder Than Life festival in Louisville, Kentucky on September 27, 2024, but that performance was canceled due to severe weather.
The lineup for SLAYER's comeback was the same as the one which last toured in 2019: King and drummer Paul Bostaph, along with Araya and guitarist Gary Holt.
King's debut solo album, "From Hell I Rise", came out in May 2024 via Reigning Phoenix Music.
Photo credit: Ryan Segedi
Widely regarded as the ultimate thrash metal band, Slayer did much to introduce and establish the genre throughout the 1980s, alongside fellow Los Angeles natives Metal-lica and Megadeth, and New York’s Anthrax — collectively known as the Big Four.
“Slayer never backed away from writing about controversial things, and Jeff was very much into World War II. That is where his writing interest was. “Someone got us a tape of Show No Mercy, and we were like, ‘These guys are just like us, this is crazy!” Exodus guitarist Gary Holt told Metal Hammer last year.
Because that was the last thing. A bunch of people took it the wrong way and thought we were Nazi sympathisers, and nothing could be further from the truth. A lot of fans are into it. “The mindset was to go the heavier route. While the band's return for limited performances in 2024 and 2025 — including headlining dates at Blackweir Fields in Cardiff and Finsbury Park in London — has thrilled fans, it appears these shows are intended as rare exceptions rather than a full reactivation.
After a five-year hiatus, Slayer performed two special festival appearances in September and October 2024, sparking speculation about a possible full-scale comeback. This and Slayer's upcoming July 6 show at London's 45,000-capacity Finsbury Park mark the largest UK concerts of the band's career.
These two dates also stand as Slayer's only European headlining shows scheduled for 2025, making them must-see events for fans across the continent.
Biggest Rock + Metal Albums Released Each Day in August History
Some of the most beloved albums from Metallica, Pearl Jam and Black Sabbath were all released in August. We still had speedy songs, but there is a lot more heavy stuff we did intentionally to offset the fast songs when you play it live.”
That experiment also set up the band to deliver a mix of tempos and styles on 1990’s Seasons In The Abyss.
“Honestly, everybody hated it at first. Dave Lombardo – whose propulsive rhythms and furious blastbeats played a major part in Slayer’s sound – left the band for the first time during a tour supporting W.A.S.P. The band also saw their live shows getting more frenzied and chaotic.