Slayer Singer Tom Araya Says Guitarist Jeff Hanneman Has Healed from Flesh-Eating Condition

2012-07-24

Story by Charles Ken

Slayer frontman has good news regarding guitarist Jeff Hanneman’s health

Slayer fans will be happy to hear the news that guitar player Jeff Hanneman has recovered from necrotising fasciitis, a flesh-eating condition he caught as a result of a spider bite over a year ago. The report comes straight from Slayer singer Tom Araya.

“Jeff’s had a long ordeal,” Araya told Billboard. “He’s working on his playing ability, and that’s something that’s gonna take some time. He’s working on strengthening his arm and his ability to play. He can play, but it’s not for an extended period of time.”

Slayer are currently on the Rockstar Mayhem Festival, touring the country through the beginning of August. After Mayhem wraps, Araya says that Slayer will start working on a new album. So, yes kids, new Slayer is on the way! “I think after [Mayhem] we’ll just go back to the drawing board and take a look at what we’ve got and start putting it together,” Araya said. “We don’t chomp at the bit like we did in the early days. You just sort of have to let it happen and see what the end result is, and hopefully we’ll like it.”

This year’s Mayhem lineup features Slayer alongside As I Lay Dying, the Devil Wears Prada, Anthrax, Motorhead, Slipknot, Betraying the Martyrs, I the Breather and more. Audio Ink Radio was at Mayhem this past weekend to catch all the action, and for an exclusive interview with Betraying the Martyrs, plus a video montage of the festival, go here. (Photo: Slayer at Mayhem 2012 by Anne Erickson.)

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Charles Ken

Meet the expert - Charles Ken is a graduate of Michigan State University where he studied writing and history. He's a longtime music buff and covers classic rock for Audio Ink Radio. Contact him at ken@audioinkradio.com.