Kerry King of Slayer recently opened up about his relationship with bandmate Tom Araya in an interview with Luiz Cesar Pimentel. King shared that the death of founding guitarist Jeff Hanneman in 2013 had a profound impact on Araya, leading to his decision to retire earlier than King. “I think Jeff’s passing weighed harder on Tom than it did me,” King said.
“Of course, it was horrible, and no one ever wanted that to happen, but it really weighed on Tom. I think that’s what led to him wanting to retire earlier than me because he felt the band was different.”
Despite Araya’s initial retirement, he decided to play some shows with Slayer last year. King, who never wanted to stop performing, was on board with the idea.
“We got together last year to rehearse for the reunion concerts. It wasn’t weird. We did two shows.
He was super happy. We got together after the second one, had a shot of tequila together,” King shared.
Impact of Hanneman’s passing on Araya
King also discussed the upcoming Slayer performances, including their appearance at the Louder Than Life festival and a Black Sabbath show in Birmingham, United Kingdom. “I can’t wait,” he said. Reflecting on his long-term friendship with Araya, King noted that they were never particularly close offstage, and the years have further distanced them.
“Just like it was in the earlier years of Slayer, we don’t talk on the phone. We rarely text each other. He became a very different person.
He’s not the guy I started the band with,” King explained. Despite the changes in their relationship, King emphasized that their working relationship remains positive. He also clarified that the Slayer reunion was not driven by any long-term plans but by a desire to honor commitments and play for their fans.
Slayer fans can look forward to these special performances as the band continues to navigate their unique path in the metal music landscape. The band’s reunion efforts persist with limited live appearances this year, including headlining shows in London and Cardiff.
