After concluding their last world tour in November 2019, SLAYER, comprising Tom Araya (bass, vocals), Kerry King (guitar), Gary Holt (guitar), and Paul Bostaph (drums), will headline three prominent festivals, Riot Fest, Louder Than Life and Aftershock Festival, marking their first live appearances since then.
Coincidentally, two of these festivals is organized by the same production company known as Danny Wimmer Presents, which has consistently hosted America’s largest festivals since 2007.
Justin Beckner of Ultimate Guitar recently spoke with Danny Wimmer Presents CMO, Charmie McCurry, on what took to bring SLAYER out of retirement.
McCurry mentioned that this discussion was directly related to the company’s longstanding bond with the band. It all began as the DWP crew witnessed SLAYER bid farewell at the Forum in Los Angeles on November 30, 2019.
“That is something Danny Wimmer started working on as he was watching their last show at the Forum five years ago,” McCurry said. “It’s something where he has been very close with the artists and their management and agents and keeping that conversation alive, and it finally paid off in giving fans what they want, which is to see Slayer performing live again. We’re very lucky with Aftershock and Louder Than Life to have two of their three performances in 2024.”
In a statement, following announcement of SLAYER‘s return, bassist Tom Araya said: “Nothing compares to the 90 minutes when we’re on stage playing live, sharing that intense energy with our fans, and to be honest, we have missed that.”
Guitarist Kerry King added: “Have I missed playing live? Absolutely. SLAYER means a lot to our fans; they mean a lot to us. It will be five years since we have seen them.”
The reunion has a quite strange timing, considering that Kerry King has recently unveiled his new solo band and announced his debut album. Additionally, he revealed that he hasn’t had communication with Araya since their last performance in 2019.
SLAYER played its final show of their farewell tour in November 2019 at the Forum in Los Angeles. One day later, Kerry King‘s wife, Ayesha King, said that there is “not a chance in hell” that the thrash metal icons will reunite for more shows.
