Jeff Hanneman, legendary guitarist of Slayer passed away on May 2nd, 2013, twelve years ago today. Ghost Cult continues to fly the flag of Slayer high, and customarily we celebrate the life of Jeff, the music he made and the stages he left scorched. His legacy as a riff maker, songwriter, soloist, and metal personality has not been dampened since his death. In the time since he passed, Ghost Cult covered Slayer just as heavily in Jeff’s life, as they released a final studio album with Jeff’s contributions (Repentless), had a legend and friend hold down his spot live (Gary Holt of Exodus), released a comic book with Jeff’s likeness, completed their final world tour ever of two years, released an incredible film/music video trilogy (The Repentless Killogy), and so much more. At the time of Jeff’s passing, many friends and peers, such as, former bandmate Dave Lombardo wrote a loving tribute to his fallen friend, and we have created two career-spanning retrospectives (read them here and here) on the end of the band, back in 2019. From the time Jeff passed and every night on that final world tour, Slayer honored Jeff during ‘Raining Blood’ with the “still reigning” banner. The unlikely Slayer comeback of 2024 (we were quoted in the press release!) and continuing this year is done with love and appreciation for Jeff, always. In addition to the Talking Slayer podcast, and check out the 4th edition of Slayer 66 2/3: A Metal Band Biography… Or, How Fuckin’ Slayer Kicked Fuckin’ Ass, both by our pal D.X. Ferris. As we say every year at this time: Hail Jeff and hail Slayer!
Tag Archives: Speed Metal
ALBUM REVIEW: Inhuman Nature – Greater Than Death
The new cut from Church Road Records recording artists Inhuman Nature is a crash course in some good old-fashioned thrashin’! Each track is chock-full of all those cool components that make up a killer thrash metal album. Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Grave Digger – Bone Collector
Formed all the way back in 1980, German Metal stalwarts Grave Digger return to celebrate their 45th anniversary with a new album Bone Collector (RPM Roar). The band’s 22nd full-length studio release (if you choose to include the time during the eighties they were known as Digger) finds the band in blistering form with one of the finest records they’ve released in years.Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Molder – Catastrophic Reconfiguration
The third album from Joliet, Illinois-based Molder, Catastrophic Reconfiguration (Prosthetic Records), is a collection of sonic brutality.
Presented here are ten cuts where each stands on its own, each vying to be the song that kicks the most ass.
ALBUM REVIEW: Flotsam And Jetsam – I Am The Weapon
Beginning life as Paradox, Dogz, and slightly more embarrassingly, Dredlox, Flotsam and Jetsam has enjoyed/endured somewhat of a staggered career trajectory since 1984. Taking the Metal world by storm with Doomsday For The Deceiver in 1986, the Arizona thrashers delivered the equally impressive No Place For Disgrace a couple of years later, and the world, as they say, looked to be their oyster.Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Cavalera – Schizophrenia
There is something about the Sepultura sound which has rightfully allowed it to stand the test of time. It could be the bombastically frantic stringwork which has the capacity to power some cities. It could also be the cavernous, cacophonous screams and shouts. The drums never disappoint, and the production is mischievous yet meticulously guided.Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Holycide – Towards Idiocracy
Having passed away during the nineties, the once thriving Thrash Metal scene didn’t stay dead for long and the early aughts saw a gradual, but noticeable shift back to life. By 2004, the genre’s overdue re-animation was in full swing and a slew of new acts crawled out of the crypt, desperate to make an impression on the next generation of thrashers.Continue reading
PODCAST: 5 Minute Review: Kerry King – “From Hell I Rise”
Check out Keefy’s video review for Kerry King’s (Slayer) debut solo album – From Hell I Rise, out now from Reigning Phoenix Music!Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Midnight – Hellish Expectations
The ever-belligerent Cleveland-based one-man unit Midnight returns with a prolific sixth full-length entitled Hellish Expectations, out via Metal Blade Records. Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Traveler – Prequel To Madness
It’s no secret that Canada has a long and storied history of producing quality Heavy Metal. From classic bands such as Anvil, Annihilator, and Exciter to more recent acts like 3 Inches Of Blood, Cauldron and Unleash The Archers, Canadians always seem to hit the traditional Metal mark. Continue reading