Metal Pulp And Paper recently spoke with Sandra Araya, the wife of Slayer frontman Tom Araya. Following is an excerpt from the interview

MPAP: Recently there was some huge news announced that shocked and really stunned many people around the globe. On January 22nd, 2018, Slayer announced they would be retiring after one more final world tour together. More than likely this tour could last way more than a year, but the outcome is still going to be the same, Slayer is retiring. I’m sure you knew way before many, but it was quite the news to be heard correct? 

Sandra: "Not to me. I can’t comfortably go into too much detail. I’ll just leave it with a no." 

MPAP: Some fans knew the end of Slayer was just right around the corner, especially after original longtime guitarist Jeff Hanneman passed away in May of 2013. Gary Holt has been amazing taking over on guitar duties, but some would say it was just never the same without Jeff. And then, of course, your husband many times openly discussed in interviews that he just didn’t like to be out on the road anymore. He wanted to be with his family, so, the retirement, or disbanding, was eventually going to happen. I’m sure as time went on, it probably got even harder for Tom being on the road after you both became Grandparents in 2016 correct?  

Sandra: "Yes. We have the coolest granddaughter ever. Tom has actually gotten to spend quite a bit of time home. She’s quite the grandpa’s girl. They do a lot of guitar playing and singing."

MPAP: It probably had to be a very difficult decision for both your husband and Kerry King, to make don’t you think? 

Sandra: "Tom never second guesses any decision he makes. I have no idea about Kerry." 

Go to this location for the complete interview.

Slayer have released Episode #2 of its "Slayer Looks Back On 37 Years" video interview series.

In this episode, Tom Araya and Kerry King talk about Slayer's earliest shows, especially the band's very first show as Slayer: how nervous they were, the home-made flash pots that just didn't quite work the way they had intended, and more. The clip contains not only vintage live footage of the band, but the band-made flyers that promoted some of their first shows. In these early days, Slayer toured the country in Araya's Camero and a U-Haul trailer, a far cry from the way they tour today.  

Episode #1 can be seen below:

On January 22nd, Slayer announced that the band will do one final world tour to say goodbye and thank the fans for more than three decades of great times, and then move on. With support from Lamb Of God, Anthrax, Behemoth and Testament, Slayer's North American Leg One dates start on May 10th in San Diego, CA. Lamb of God, Anthrax, Testament and Napalm Death will support Slayer on Leg Two. All announced dates are below.

Leg One:

May
10 - Valley View Casino Center - San Diego, CA (Sold Out)
11 - FivePoint Amphitheatre - Irvine, CA (Sold Out)
13 - Papa Murphy's Park at Cal Expo - Sacramento, CA (Sold Out)
16 - Pacific Coliseum - Vancouver, BC (Sold Out)
17 - South Okanagan Events Centre - Penticton, BC
19 - Big Four - Calgary, AL (Sold Out)
20 - Shaw Convention Centre - Edmonton, AB (Sold Out)
22 - Bell MTS Place - Winnipeg, MB
24 - The Armory - Minneapolis, MN (Sold Out)
25 - Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre - Tinley Park, IL
27 - Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill - Detroit, MI (Sold Out)
29 - Budweiser Stage - Toronto, ON (Sold Out)
30 - Place Bell - Montreal, PQ (Sold Out)

June
1 - Mohegan Sun Arena - Uncasville, CT (Sold Out)
2 - PNC Bank Arts Center - Holmdel, NJ
4 - Santander Arena - Reading, PA (Sold Out)
6 - Riverbend Music Center - Cincinnati, OH
7 - Blossom Music Center - Cleveland, OH
9 - KeyBank Pavilion - Pittsburgh, PA
10 - Jiffy Lube Live - Bristow, VA
12 - Veteran's United Home Loans Amphitheater - Virginia Beach, VA
14 - PNC Music Pavilion - Charlotte, NC
15 - Orlando Amphitheater - Orlando, FL
17 - Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land -  Houston, TX (Sold Out)
19 - The Bomb Factory - Dallas, TX (Sold Out)
20 - Austin360 Amphitheater - Austin, TX (Sold Out)

Leg Two:

July
26 - Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion - Gilford, NH
27 - Impact Music Festival, Darling's Waterfront Pavilion - Bangor, ME
29 - Northwell Health at Jones Beach - Wantagh, NY
31 - The Pavilion at Montage Mountain - Scranton, PA

August
1 - Times Union Center - Albany, NY
3 - Darien Lake Performing Arts Center - Darien Lake, NY
4 - Lakeview Amphitheater - Syracuse, NY
6 - Budweiser Gardens - London, ON
7 - Van Andel Arena - Grand Rapids, MI
9 - Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre - St. Louis, MO
10 - Cellairis Amphitheatre at Lakewood - Atlanta, GA
12 - Municipal Auditorium - Nashville, TN
13 - Walmart AMP - Rogers, AR
15 - Freeman Coliseum - San Antonio, TX
16 - The Zoo Amphitheatre - Oklahoma City, OK
18 - Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre - Denver, CO
19 - USANA Amphitheatre - Salt Lake City, UT
21 - Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater - Boise, ID
23 - Sunlight Supply Amphitheater - Portland, OR
26 - SAP Center - San Jose, CA