It’s always a special thing when a legendary band gets together for a major show, and that’s even more so the case if that band was once retired. It’s like seeing an old friend again being able to watch a favorite band together again for the first time in a while.
Let’s face it: Retirement doesn’t mean much to rock or metal bands anymore. So many of them retire only to come back a few years later, and really, there’s nothing wrong with that, so long as people don’t pay an arm and a leg to see a band thinking it will be their last chance.
Now, metal legends Slayer have confirmed a one-night-only headline concert, scheduled for Saturday, September 20, at the Hersheypark Stadium in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The gig marks the group’s only east coast date this year. On top of the music, WWE star Damian Priest will host the concert.
Metal Veterans and Newbies Come Together
Slayer will headline the show, and joining the band will be Knocked Loose, Suicidal Tendencies, Power Trip, Cavalera (performing “Chaos A.D.”) and Exodus (performing “Bonded by Blood”). Slayer features Gary Holt (guitar), Paul Bostaph (drums), Tom Araya (bass, vocals) and Kerry King (guitar).
The hidden gem in this news is that Exodus will be performing “Bonded By Blood” from front to back, which is super exciting news for thrash fans.
“It’s going to be great for the fans,” Kerry King of Slayer said in a statement. “Not having toured in a number of years, there might be some people at this show who have never seen Slayer before, or in some time. So, for the Hershey concert, we’ll play a Slayer show, we’ll have all of our big fire effects, just burn everything like we used to – a real Slayer show.”
King added, “This will be the first time Slayer has played with Power Trip or Knocked Loose, but I am well aware of them from word of mouth and hearing their music on Liquid Metal. I’m looking forward to seeing them live.”
Tom Araya Comments on One-Time Show
Slayer frontman Tom Araya added, “My favorite part of what I do is the stage time. Nothing compares to the 90-minutes when we’re on stage playing live, sharing that intense energy with our fans. I love singing, and I love convincing everybody, ‘my god, that guy is a maniac.'”
“I’ve been a Slayer fan ever since I was a kid,” said Priest. “Metal has always had a special place in wrestling, Slayer’s legacy is woven into the fabric of wrestling, and the genre wouldn’t be where it is today without Slayer. This September at Hershey Park Stadium in Pennsylvania, I’m excited and honored to host Slayer’s show and bring wrestling into their world.”
“We’re excited to play with some of the best heavy bands of all time, past and present,” added Knocked Loose in a collective statement.
Finally, Max Cavalera, added, “I’m very excited to bring Chaos AD to share the stage with Slayer. This show is a dream come true line-up for any Metalhead.”
This is shaping up to be a metal show for the books. Props to these longstanding guys for keeping the genre going.
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