They’ve been the undisputed kings of thrash metal alongside Metallica for nearly four decades.
But yesterday Slayer surprised all of their fans and the wider metal community, the band announced that the ‘end is near’ as they revealed their next world tour will be their last.
That’s right the rainstorm of blood and heavy riffs is going to clear… forever.
Sharing a post on their official Twitter account, the band announced: ‘The End is Near… #Slayer to tour the world one more time…’
It was accompanied by a video which compiled historic tour posters with a message to their fans, backtracked by their iconic track Raining Blood.
The message in the clip reads: ‘The end of days is near. Slayer to make its exit with one final world tour. Slayers final North American tour dates coming.’
The announcement was all the more shocking considering founder and lead guitarist Kerry King said the band could release a new album this year in an interview over the summer.
He told Blabbermouth: ‘If things go well I’d like to record next year – but timelines change all the time.’
And while the future of the band is still in unknown territory, there’s yet to be any official word as to why Slayer are calling time on their 30-plus year career.
Late last night the band announced that Lamb Of God, Anthrax, Behemoth and Testament would fill the bill for the US leg of the world tour.
Dates and a line-up for Europe and the rest of the world are yet to be announced.
I hope for at least one more Big 4 Show before the end of Slayer’s final tour. It just wouldn’t be right. Anyone else with me? https://t.co/izdosfPyZe
— Dave Mustaine (@DaveMustaine) January 23, 2018
The announcement prompted an outcry of sadness from the metal community, with iconic thrasher Dave Mustain even saying he hope Slayer would allow one more ‘big four show’ (a reference to the four leaders of the thrash scene: Metallica, Slayer, Megadeath and Anthrax) to go ahead.
Dave, who helped found Metallica and Megadeath, tweeted: ‘I hope for at least one more Big 4 Show before the end of Slayer’s final tour. It just wouldn’t be right. Anyone else with me?’
Other metalhead stars were similarly bummed out…
Slayer is breaking up.. Further proof that the world is ending.
— Lee Spielman (@LeeSpielman) January 22, 2018
Oh man, a Slayer farewell tour?
A world with no Slayer, Status Quo and Motorhead is a world more in need of @TheWildhearts than it could ever know.
— Ginger Wildheart (@GingerWildheart) January 22, 2018
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