SLAYER's Final World Tour Will Extend Into 2019

To date, SLAYER's final world tour has consisted of leg one and the just-wrapped leg two in North America, with leg three taking the band to Europe from November 1 through to December 8, 2018. The band's announced itinerary also has them headlining Mexico's ForceFest on October 7, 2018, and Hellfest in France on June 23, 2019.

Plans are already underway for SLAYER to take its final world tour to South America, Australia and Japan in 2019. But there will be more, plenty more. 2019 is twelve months long, and the world is a big place. Additional tour legs will be announced soon.

"We always knew this tour would take us into 2019," said SLAYER guitarist Kerry King, "and we've been blown away by the response we've been getting here in North America. We've heard about fans who have driven five, six hours, or flown in from other cities or countries to see us, so we want to assure our fans that we'll be on the road through 2019 and will get to as many places around the world as possible to make it easier for everyone to come and see us one last time."

"I just want to take the time out to say thank you to all our fans who have made this first part of this tour phenomenal," said SLAYER bassist/vocalist Tom Araya. "You really are loyal and dedicated fans and we appreciate that so much from you. We still have quite a few places to play, so next year, keep your eyes and ears open so you can catch us live one last and final time. Again, thank you!"

On January 22, 2018, SLAYER announced that it would do one last concert tour around the globe to thank their fans for all of their support over the years, for making the last three and a half decades so packed with good times and unforgettable experiences, and then move on.

SLAYER has been touring in support of its latest album, "Repentless", which was released in September 2015 via Nuclear Blast. That effort marked the band's first release since the death of SLAYER's co-founding guitarist Jeff Hanneman.

Hanneman contracted necrotizing fasciitis, also known as flesh-eating disease, in January 2011 from a spider bite in his backyard. The infection ravaged the flesh and tissues of Hanneman's arm, leading to numerous surgeries, skin grafts and intense periods of rehab that forced him into semi-retirement and left him near death at several points.

Hanneman eventually died in May 2013 from alcohol-related cirrhosis of the liver. He is credited for writing many of SLAYER's classic songs, including "Angel Of Death" and "South Of Heaven".

Original SLAYER drummer Dave Lombardo was effectively fired from the band after sitting out the group's Australian tour in February/March 2013 due to a contract dispute with the other members of SLAYER. He has since been replaced by Paul Bostaph, who was previously SLAYER's drummer from 1992 until 2001 and recorded four albums with the band.