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Kerry King Reflects on Slayer Farewell and Return: “We Never Said We Were Done Playing”

Ever since it was announced that Slayer would be playing some shows despite having gone on a bit of a “farewell” run a few years ago, it seems some fans have been giving the band a bit of shit. After all, in their minds what separates Slayer from Mötley Crüe or Black Sabbath or any of the other bands that hung it up, only to come back for a big paycheck?

During a recent interview with Anne Erickson of Audio Ink Radio, guitarist Kerry King cleared the air a bit about the band’s “final tour” and how they reconciled with the idea of getting back together for a few gigs.

“Yeah, at the end of the day, it wasn’t bad blood. Tom [Araya, Slayer bassist/vocalist] was just done. And when Tom told me he was done, I went, ‘Okay, well, I’m not gonna try to talk you into it,’ because if you’re trying to talk somebody into it, their heart’s not in it. So it was over for me. And, of course, a month after we were done, offers come in because people think you’re done. So what we retired from was touring. We never said we were done playing. We said, ‘This is our final tour’, and I don’t think three shows constitute a tour. So if you wanna get technical, I think we’re in the ballpark of being truthful.”

I dunno, man. The phrase “in the ballpark of being truthful” feels a little… less than truthful? Like you’re either truthful or not, but that’s beside the point. Then again, if they were maybe a little clearer about their intention to never really tour again, but still leave the door open for shows after the fact, this whole confusion could have been avoided.

In the lead up to the announcement that Slayer was coming back, some press came out with King saying he had some issues with some current and former members of the band. Specifically, he revealed that he hadn’t talked to Araya in years, despite there being plans for Slayer to get back into the mix. During the interview, King revealed that he’s spoken with Gary Holt and he’s cool with Paul Bostaph since he’s part of King’s solo act, but he didn’t say anything about Tom.

“I haven’t seen — I’ve texted Gary [Holt, Slayer guitarist] off and on and Paul’s [Bostaph, Slayer and Kerry King drummer] with me all the time, so I’m looking forward to playing with Holt ’cause we were together, like, 10 years. But me and Phil [Demmel, Kerry King guitarist] on this run are holding down the fort every bit as well as Gary and I did in Slayer. So, yeah, I’m looking forward to the largeness of the stage. I’m looking forward to burning everything.”

You know, as a dude that doesn’t really want to talk that much about Slayer these days while he’s touring with his solo band, he sure says a lot. Now, I know it’s because he’s answering interviewers’ questions, but man — it’s gotta be tiring to have to keep talking about the band you’re not even on tour with. I kinda feel for the dude.

Speaking of which, he’s currently on tour with his solo band. You can find the full list of tour dates below, as well as the handful of shows Slayer’s got scheduled.

Kerry King Tour Dates

Aug 8 – Reading, PA – Santander Arena** [Tickets]Aug 9 – Cleveland, OH – Jacobs Pavilion** [Tickets]Aug 10 – Sterling Heights, MI – Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre @ Freedom Hill** [Tickets]Aug 13 – Moorhead, MN – Bluestem Center For The Arts Amphitheater [Tickets]Aug 15 – Calgary, AB – Scotiabank Saddledome [Tickets]Aug 16 – Penticton, BC – South Okanagan Events Centre [Tickets]Aug 17 – Kent, WA – accesso ShoWare Center [Tickets]Aug 18 – Portland, OR – Theater of the Clouds [Tickets]Aug 21 – Los Angeles, CA – The Kia Forum [Tickets]Aug 23 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Financial Theatre [Tickets]Aug 24 – Rio Rancho, NM – Rio Rancho Events Center [Tickets]Aug 25 – El Paso, TX – El Paso County Coliseum [Tickets]Aug 27 – Magna, UT – The Great Saltair [Tickets]Aug 29 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre [Tickets]Aug 31 – Omaha, NE – The Astro Amphitheater [Tickets]

Slayer reunion shows

Sep 20-22 – Chicago, IL – Riot Fest [Tickets]Sep 27 – Louisville, KY – Louder Than Life [Tickets]Oct 10 – Sacramento, CA – Aftershock [Tickets]

The post Kerry King Reflects on Slayer Farewell and Return: “We Never Said We Were Done Playing” appeared first on MetalSucks.