SLAYER Putting Finishing Touches On Two New Songs For Late Summer Release

May 30, 2012

Earlier this week, Metalhead.ro conducted an interview with SLAYER bassist/vocalist Tom Araya. You can now listen to the chat using the audio player below.

When asked about the progress of the recording sessions for SLAYER's next release, Araya said, "We went [into the studio] in April. [Guitarist] Kerry [King] put together a bunch of songs. I did vocals for two songs before I flew out [to Europe for the current run of SLAYER shows]. We are in the process of finishing those up. And hopefully they'll have them mixed and we should have something out by the end of summer."

On the topic of what the new SLAYER material sounds like, Araya said, "Gee, let me think… Sounds like SLAYER to me. [laughs]"

SLAYER drummer Dave Lombardo previously stated about the band's new material, "[It sounds like] SLAYER. . . Traditional fans will be pacified and non-traditional fans will be like, 'Again?'"

Speaking to U.K.'s Metal Hammer magazine, Kerry described the new SLAYER songs as "really refreshing and energetic." He added, "One thing I can tell you is that the songs are shaping up in the classic SLAYER style. You won't be hearing us doing acoustic stuff. [laughs]"

Kerry also said that he was hoping that Greg Fidelman, who co-produced 2009's "World Painted Blood" with Rick Rubin, would be at the helm for the new album. "That's the idea, anyway," Kerry told Metal Hammer. "But it all depends on his availability. . . I don't think we'll spend long in the studio this time, either. We're gonna do it old-school style and get things done fast."

SLAYER performed its classic 1986 album "Reign In Blood" in its entirety at All Tomorrow's Parties' second U.K. "I'll Be Your Mirror" event, which took place this past weekend (May 25-27) at Alexandra Palace, London, England.

SLAYER guitarist Jeff Hanneman has been forced to sit out the band's current tour dates due to complications from a spider bite.

Hanneman contracted necrotising fasciitis, a flesh-eating disease, from a spider bite over a year ago.

EXODUS guitarist Gary Holt is filling in for Hanneman on SLAYER's summer tour, which began at All Tomorrow's Parties.

SLAYER's latest album, "World Painted Blood", sold 41,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 12 on The Billboard 200 chart.

Photo credit: Mark Seliger

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