LOS ANGELES (CelebrityAccess) — Five years after completing what was billed as their farewell tour in late 2019, the legendary thrash metal band Slayer announced plans to reunite for a pair of performances and possibly more.
So far, the band is booked for just two dates – an appearance at Riot Fest in Chicago, which takes place from September 20-22, and DWP’s Louder Than Life festival in Louisville, Kentucky, on September 27th.
While no additional dates have been announced, additional shows may be in the offing. The band’s official website announced plans for a revamp with a new ‘unholy gateway for all things Slayer’ to be revealed soon, which would seem to be an unusual step for a band that is officially retired.
At the same time, co-founding member and lead guitarist Kerry King recently revealed in an interview with Rolling Stone‘s Kory Grow that he hasn’t been in touch with fellow Slayer co-founder Tom Araya since the band split ways at the end of the farewell tour in 2019.
“Not even a text,” King told the publication in early February. “Not even an email.”
“I’ve talked to everybody else from the band on the phone, text, or email. If Tom hit me up, I’d probably respond. It probably depends on what he hit me up for, but I don’t wish him dead at this moment,” he added.
Additionally, King has been hard at work on material for his solo project, backed by a band that includes former Slayer alum Paul Bostaph, Death Angel vocalist Mark Osegueda, Hellyeah bassist Kyle Sanders, and former Machine Head guitarist Phil Demmel.
King’s first solo album, From Hell I Rise, is due on streaming platforms and your favorite record retail outlet in May.