Slayer’s Kerry King has implied that the band could move on without guitarist Jeff Hanneman, who has been sidelined for two years after sustaining a near-fatal spider bite.
The guitarists haven’t spoken to each other in some time, leading King to wonder whether Hanneman has any intention of rejoining the band. With two songs underway for their next album, King reveals he’d be comfortable with stand-in man Gary Holt of Exodus making his presence more permanent.
That could leave Slayer facing the future with just two founding members remaining after they dropped drummer Dave Lombardo for their Australian tour following a contractual dispute. Temporary replacement Jon Dette has already discussed the chances of his return becoming a full-time commitment.
King tells Metal Obsession, “I don’t have an update – I haven’t seen Jeff in forever. He’s always been a recluse, and he’s even been more of a recluse since he’s not going on tour with us. Our manager talks to him from time to time and sees him in LA just randomly. But I’m far from LA, so I’m not in that loop.”
Hanneman could be on the road with Slayer if he wanted to be, King suggests, “He can do anything in life – he could be hanging here having a good time with us.” But he accepts a full-power show might not be forthcoming, “He can probably play South Of Heaven, but he’s not gonna be playing Jihad, you know what I mean?”
The band plan to mix the tracks they’ve already recorded then continue with work on the rest of the album over the summer – and King believes it could easily be completed without Hanneman’s input. “It’s just all my stuff for now,” he says. “I did that just in case; I don’t know what Jeff’s intentions are. So I wanted to have Slayer covered in case he doesn’t come to the party. If he comes to the party, then we’ve got tons of songs.”
Meanwhile, if Holt’s position were to become permanent, that wouldn’t present a problem. “I think Gary is in for the long haul,” says King. “I haven’t really discussed it with him. But he keeps his schedule free when he knows we’re on tour.
“If Jeff all of a sudden came back in June, we would probably pay Gary for freeing up his time. I don’t wanna treat somebody that’s bailed us out for two years badly. But if Gary played with us for ever? I’m okay with that.”
additional source: classicrockmagazine.com.
9 Responses
First Kerry says he hasn’t spoken to Jeff in sometime, then he presumes to know how well he’s playing guitar?
Kerry King needs to shut the fuck up.
It isn’t about whats best for Slayer & their fans anymore, its all about what serves his wallet & ego. Tom Araya has said that there will be no new Slayer album without Jeff Hanneman. I really hope he sticks to his guns. I hope Tom Araya is the one to finally slap Kerry King in his stupid fat bald head & knock some sense into him.
I don’t agree that slayer hasn’t made good records since ninety.
I love the last two and have even learned to love some of the
Bostaph material. (Sorry, I love Dave’s drumming, I believe he
Helps them write and play their songs better. It’s a matter of taste.)
This is what bums me out; I have respect for Def Leppard as human beings.
They invented a drummer. I am not a big fan of their music, but they said in an interview,
“you wouldn’t kick out a family member for losing an arm.” I have always cited this as a
High water mark for what a band should be.
How I feel is this; First “Ozzy and Friends”, now “Kerry and Friends”? Black Sabbath
and Slayer are kinda property of the human race, and forgive me, real forces for good,
And it seems their bandmates have shit all over themselves.
Why not Jeff AND Gary? Why not have a reboot that’s Slayer+ instead of slayer lite?
A third garter guitar presence (new JEFF) could be amazing. (Def Leppard did
Invent a fucking drumkit!)That’s what I had hoped for anyway.
Beware, Kerry King, an all Kerry record will probably just move Diabolus to the sessions most
Ridiculous slayer album. Get your shit together as a band or get out with dignity?
Sorry, SECOND most ridiculous slayer album.