Slayer Announces Farewell Tour

Blog author:  Alex Stojanovic

Well, it looks like the end is near for Slayer.  Just today, the band have announced that they will be embarking on one "final" world tour.  A couple of weeks ago, there was a rumour going around that Slayer would be touring North America this summer with Lamb Of God, Anthrax, Testament and Behemoth.  It turns out that the lineup has been confirmed, but dates have yet to be announced, except for one on June 4th in Reading, Pennsylvania at the Santander Arena.  Now that's one monstrous must-see bill.  If you think about it, it's a combination of the band's last three North American tours since early 2016.  If Death Angel and Carcass were added to this bill, you would have the last three North American runs in one whole package.

While we're on the subject of "farewell", all I have to say is that don't be surprised if this is just a bunch of hype for the upcoming tour and they end up changing their minds in the middle of the tour.  It has become pretty much a joke to say any band is on a farewell tour, but I think the time is right for Slayer to hang it up because for the last few years, Tom Araya talked several times about his desire to retire from touring.  On the other hand, this might just be a goodbye to Tom because Kerry King said that even if Tom retires, Slayer will continue.  That would just be wrong.  This is just what I feel right now.

As a fan, I hate to see them go, but like I said, I think that now is the right time for them to hang it up.  I don't want to see Tom Araya struggling to sing "Angel Of Death" when he's in his 60s.  Kerry on the other hand has stated there's enough material for another album, but we'll see what happens.  Whether they will record the album but not tour on it remains to be seen, but it wouldn't surprise me if they end up becoming just a studio band.  Just to be clear, all this that I'm saying is NOT a slag against Slayer.

If this really is goodbye for Slayer, all I can say is thank you for the music and I look forward to seeing you one more time.  Look for the full list of dates to be announced soon and be sure to go out and see this massive bill and bid farewell to Slayer.  However, like I said, don't be surprised if Kerry King continues with Slayer without Tom because it's a possibility.