Slayer / Exodus guitarist Gary Holt is featured in a new interview with Examiner.com discussing pulling double duty, stepping in to replace late Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman, and his custom guitar. An excerpt is available below:

Q: How do you keep up your speed and energy?

Holt: "I wonder that myself, juggling two bands the best that I can. The tour scheduling is twice as vigorous as it was when I was 25. This is the only true job skill I have, so I'm going to run with it while I can."

Q: How long do you plan on pulling double duty with Slayer and Exodus?

Holt: "As long as I can. As long as my body holds out. The biggest issue is when there's a double tour. That's shredding for two sets. I have back problems too...but there are a lot worse problems one could have."

Q: How do you carry on without Jeff Hanneman and what was it like to have his blessing to fill in while he was sick?

Holt: "We were old friends. We knew each other from the infancy of thrash metal...It was only supposed to be a couple of months. Unfortunately it continued and ended in his tragic passing. I try to keep his spirit alive and give (the band) my own thing, too. I pay tribute in this way. As for Jeff giving me his blessing- it was epic, just knowing he was supportive. Here we are five years later. No one hoped for it. We all wanted him to get better. I was perfectly happy doing what I was doing before."

Click here for the complete interview.

Streaming below is the official teaser for the brand new Slayer music video, "You Against You”, directed by BJ McDonnell. The track is featured on the band’s latest album, Repentless, and the full video will be released soon.

Catch Slayer on tour in North America with Testament and Carcass.

Tour dates:

March
6 - The House of Blues - Boston, MA
8 - LC Pavilion - Columbus, OH
9 - The Orpheum - Madison, WI
11 - Myth - St. Paul, MN
12 - Civic Auditorium - Fargo, ND
14 - MacEwan Hall - Calgary, AB
15 - Shaw Centre - Edmonton, AB
17 - Revolution Event Center - Boise, ID
19 - The Paramount - Seattle, WA
20 - Roseland Ballroom - Portland, OR
22 - Warfield Theatre - San Francisco, CA
26 - The Joint - Las Vegas, NV