On January 23rd, Slayer announced that it would wrap up its 37 years together with one last tour around the globe. Before the band begins that final sojourn on May 10th, Tom Araya, Kerry King, Gary Holt and Paul Bostaph sat down and talked about all things Slayer. Here is Episode #1:

After making some of the most brutal, breathtakingly aggressive, all-hell's-a-breaking-loose music ever created, being one of the four bands that defined an entire musical genre and being the band that other heavy acts are measured against and aspire to... after nearly 37 years, releasing 12 studio albums, multiple live recordings, compilations, live video and two box sets, playing nearly 3,000 concerts in all corners of the world, receiving countless awards including five Grammy nominations and two Grammy awards, Gold records and other accolades... having its own exhibit in the Smithsonian Institute, gracing hundreds of magazine covers, experiencing the devastating loss of a founding brother, and even appearing on The Tonight Show, the age of Slayer, one of the greatest thrash/metal/punk bands of this or any age, is coming to an end.

 

Slayer, 1980s - L-R: Dave Lombardo, Jeff Hanneman, Tom Araya, Kerry King. Photo credit: Alex Solca

 

Slayer have announced that they will do one last concert tour around the globe to thank their fans for all of their support over the years, for making the last three-and-a-half decades so packed with good times and unforgettable experiences, and will then move on.

 

Slayer, 2017 - L-R: Paul Bostaph, Kerry King, Gary Holt, Tom Araya. Photo credit: Gene Ambo

 

Lamb Of God, Anthrax, Behemoth and Testament will support Slayer on the first leg, North America, of its final world tour. Log on to slayer.net for all ticket purchasing info.

Tour dates:

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

June
1 - Mohegan Sun - Uncasville, CT
2 - PNC Banks Arts Center - Holmdel, NJ
4 - Santander Arena - Reading, PA
6 - Riverbend Music Center -  Cincinnati, OH
7 - Blossom Music Center - Cleveland, OH
9 - KeyBank Pavilion - Pittsburgh, PA
10 - Jiffy Lube Live - Bristow, VA
12 - VUHL Amphitheatre - Virginia Beach, VA
14 - PNC Music Pavilion - Charlotte, NC
15 - Orlando Amphitheatre - Orlando, FL
17 - Smart Financial Center - Houston, TX
19 - The Bomb Factory - Dallas, TX
20 - Austin 360 Amphitheatre - Austin, TX

Slayer will be headlining the 5th edition of Iceland's Secret Solstice festival, taking place in Reykjavik this June 21st - 24th.

Announced this week, Slayer will be playing in Iceland for their first (and sadly final) time ever during the summer solstice weekend where the country gets 96 continuous hours of daylight, making this festival one to add to the bucket list! They will be sharing the stage with an eclectic lineup of artists including Gucci Mane, Bonnie Tyler and Steve Aoki, making this one of the most diverse festival lineups in 2018. Plus with performances inside of a glacier, lava tunnel, and a midnight sun boat party, there's sure to be something for everyone's musical taste and adventurous side.

For complete festival details, head here.