Slayer (bassist/vocalist Tom Araya, guitarist Kerry King, and returning drummer Paul Bostaph, along with touring guitarist Gary Holt) have completed recording their yet to be titled eleventh studio album with producer Terry Date, due out later this year via their own yet to be named label (through Nuclear Blast).
Following Slayer’s studio sessions in March 2014 that yielded the track “Implode,” offered by the band as a free download, Slayer recorded on and off between September and mid-January at L.A.’s Henson Studios, and is currently mixing the album. Eleven songs have been recorded, but what will end up on the final track listing is yet to be determined. Early reports indicate that Slayer fans have a lot to look forward to – the new music is a sonic assault of brutal, ominous, lightening-fast and heavy-as-hell music with lyrics that unmask what Slayer knows best – the terror, the corruption and the societal turmoil that dominates our world.
Fans got a second preview of the new album this past Saturday when another one of the new songs, “When The Stillness Comes,” was released as a limited-edition (only 5000 copies worldwide), seven-inch vinyl picture disc exclusive for Record Store Day.
The new album marks the first time Slayer has worked with producer Terry Date (Slipknot, Soundgarden, Deftones), Bostaph’s return to the Slayer recording line-up since 2001’s God Hates Us All, and Holt’s first appearance on a Slayer album. It’s also the first Slayer album without the presence of founding guitarist Jeff Hanneman, athough a Hanneman-penned song is on the final track listing.
Slayer will tour extensively to support the new album, headlining this summer’s Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival, as well as playing other major outdoor festivals and several “An Evening With…” Slayer only concerts.
Apr 24: Iron City – Birmingham, AL (“An Evening with…” headline dates)
Apr 25: Metropolitian Park (Monster Energy Welcome to Rockville) – Jacksonville, FL
Apr 26: Civic Theatre – New Orleans, LA (“An Evening with…” headline dates)
May 01: Farm Bureau Live (Lunatic Luau) – Virginia Beach, VA
May 03: Carolina Rebellion – Charlotte, NC
May 22: Rocklahoma – Pryor, OK
May 23: Socorro Casino – El Paso, TX (“An Evening with…” headline dates)
Jun 13: Bonnaroo – Manchester, TN
Jun 16: Paramount – Huntington (Long Island), NY (“An Evening with…” headline dates)
Jun 17: Paramount – Huntington (Long Island), NY (“An Evening with…” headline dates)
Jun 19: State Theatre – Portland, ME
Jun 20: Amnesia Rockfest – Montebello, QC
(Mayhem headline dates):
Jun 26: Sleep Train Amphitheater – San Diego, CA
Jun 27: San Manuel Amphitheater – San Bernardino, CA
Jun 28: Shoreline Amphitheater – Mountain View, CA
Jun 30: White River Amphitheater – Auburn, WA (Seattle)
Jul 01: Idaho Center Amphitheater – Boise, ID
Jul 03: Ak-Chin Amphitheater – Phoenix, AZ
Jul 04: Isleta Amphitheater – Albuquerque, NM
Jul 05: Red Rocks – Denver, CO
Jul 07: Harrah’s Council Bluffs – Council Bluffs, IA
Jul 08: Eagles Ballroom – Milwaukee, WI
Jul 10: Klipsch Amphitheater – Noblesville, IN (Indianapolis)
Jul 11: DTE Energy Amphitheater – Clarkston, MI (Detroit)
Jul 12: First Midwest Bank Amphitheater – Tinley Park, IL (Chicago)
Jul 15: Molson Canadian Amphitheatre – Toronto, ON
Jul 17: Susquehanna Bank Arts Center – Camden, NJ (Philadelphia)
Jul 18: First Niagara Pavilion – Burgettstown, PA (Pittsburgh)
Jul 19: Xfinity Theatre – Hartford, CT
Jul 21: PNC Bank Arts Center – Holmdel, NJ
Jul 22: Meadowbrook (Bank of NH Pavilion) – Gilford, NH
Jul 24: Jiffy Lube Live – Bristow, VA
Jul 25: Xfinity Center – Boston, MA
Jul 26: Nikon at Jones Beach – Wantagh, NY
Jul 29: Aaron’s Amphitheater at Lakewood – Atlanta, GA
Jul 31: Whitewater Amphitheater – San Antonio, TX
Aug 01: Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion – Houston, TX
Aug 02: Gexa Energy Amphitheater – Dallas, TX