Thrash metal as a genre missed one of its cornerstone acts when Slayer played the final note of their farewell tour in 2019. The chance thrashing, moshing, and banging our heads while diving into the chaos and power of their unholy alliance was no more, and with that final bow on November 30th, the Angel of Death soared free for a final time…
Fortunately for legions of pentagram-worshipping admirers, myself included, the unforeseen announcement of Slayer‘s return arrived in 2024 – after nearly five years of that “final swing that was not a drill” – sending a jolt through the metal world airwaves, and signaling the comeback so many had dreamed of but few truly believed would ever happen. The timing made the news even more surprising – guitarist Kerry King was preparing to release his debut solo album, and tensions with vocalist Tom Araya had been openly aired in the prior weeks.
Maybe for a band like Slayer, retirement was never going to last, as much as it looked dead serious at the end of that show in LA. Their two reunion shows in the U.S. (a third was canceled due to Hurricane Helene) last year reminded us of their unmatched energy and pulverizing power, cementing their already legendary status as one of the most important bands in heavy music. And while the group insists no new music is on the horizon, their return proves that their legacy remains unrivaled.
Longtime Slayer super-fan and Body Count frontman Ice-T recently sat down with, Metal Hammer, and reflected on their return to the live stages, and on what makes the band so special. Slayer‘s covers have been a staple of Body Count‘s live setlist for a while, so it’s no surprise Ice-T has them in high regard.
“I always expected it would happen,” Ice-T shared, speaking about the band’s return. “Kerry King has come out and done his own band, but it’s not gonna take much to get them back together. It’s different when a group retires compared to when a group breaks up. When a group breaks up, you may never see them again. But when a group retires, that’s just taking a break. I’m like, ‘Yeah, that means they’ll retire from the ritual of touring, but they’ll play one-off gigs down the road.’ The worst thing is to retire and nobody gives a f*** and people go, ‘Good riddance,’ but that’s never gonna happen with Slayer, is it?!”
Ice-T also addressed the possibility of new music from the band: “Of course. You always want to hear new music from bands you love. That’s like saying Body Count shouldn’t make a new album. They should do whatever the f*** they want.”
For Ice-T, Slayer‘s uniqueness lies in their ability to create a sound that remains unparalleled: “Slayer‘s a one-off band. There’s no group like them. They created a sound — they’re the bar as far as precision, this fast thing that knows how to stop on a dime. Body Count have been fortunate enough to work with them; they’ve allowed us to cover them. We’re in debt to Slayer forever.”
Source: metalinjection.net
