Review by Junkman
Photos by Charlie Steffens
On a chilly evening (for Los Angeles anyway), the metal masses gathered to bid a fond farewell to their heavyweight champions, the all-mighty Slayer, for two sold out shows at the Forum. I was fortunate enough to attend the first of the two nights, along with a very excited legion of their faithful fans. It’s not every day that one can witness the end of an era in person. This evening it was done the right way, in front of their hometown crowd, in an arena that has hosted many memorable occasions over the years.
There has been no one heavier in heavy metal than Slayer. Not even close, in my and many others opinion. Like a grand boxing champion, they have literally made their mark and slayed all who step forward. Their brand of metal is all their own. Their fans are the most loyal and vocal fans I have ever seen, and I have seen them all.
Fans of Slayer will completely lose their collective minds from the first note, and all boundaries are subject to a hurtling body at any time, no matter how crowded or compact a space. The old joke of “Carve the word SLAYER on your forearm” is no joke — it’s a fact. This band is so beloved, that they literally breed chaos.
Sometimes, you just have to say when enough is enough. After 30 some-odd years or so of touring and releasing material, the band has decided to call it a day. And thankfully, they decided to do it while on top and not waiting until they’re past their prime, like so many other bands and the like have done. In what turned out to be a very emotional evening for their legion of fans and especially the band itself, Slayer once again, kicked everyone’s ass.
After a very brief but brutal set of Pantera songs by former Pantera frontman Phil Anselmo and his band The Illegals, followed by an interesting set of industrial metal from the always entertaining Ministry, featuring their unpredictable singer Al Jourgensen, it was time for a beverage. I visited the Forum Club, which was crowded with many heavy metal music industry people and bedecked with a huge table that held a large Slayer cake and assorted pastries with the bands logo, as well as a large ice sculpture that also displayed their name on it — in blood red.
Mission completed, next up was the always fun weirdness of Primus. They performed for about an hour and gave the audience a short glimpse of their avant-garde brand of funky rock that was very tight and concise, with the prancing bassist/singer Les Claypool always the focal point. Great visuals were flashed behind them on five video screens, and were very entertaining. The fans seemed to embrace them, even though Slayer fans are known to disapprove of many of the opening acts at shows that I have attended in the past. Primus, so different from the headliner, were the perfect set-up for Slayer as far as I was concerned. Clear the pallet for the main course, so to speak.
That said, it was time for the show. The lights dimmed, the sold out crowd roared, and the sound of the title track to Slayers 1988 release “South of Heaven” literally lit the fuse for the entire arena to erupt. The mosh pit in the audience started, small and slow-paced at first, but fed by drummer Paul Bostaph’s freight train drumming which varied between 16th and 32nd notes all night, sped up and slowed down at will. Bassist vocalist Tom Araya’s primal screams echoed throughout the Forum, and were matched in brutality by the scorching guitar assault by Kerry King and Gary Holt.
Insanity and chaos ensued as the band ripped through its back catalog of material, only occasionally pausing for Araya to address the crowd. Looking stoic in nature, he gently said, “Thank you for coming. This is the ending of chapter 1” in reference of course, to their career as a band. He then led the crowd in a chant of “1-2-3 WARRRR!” The band then kicked in to a blistering version of “War Ensemble,” complete with onstage pyrotechnics.
Again, the power and pace of Bostaph’s drumming is the real fuel to the fire. How he keeps up his pace is a question only he can answer. The crowd, especially the mosh pits, reacted to every change of speed accordingly. Various articles of clothing, including vests, jackets, and shoes, were flying everywhere with every number and solo. Gary Holt, sporting a “Kill the Kardashians” shirt, fed off of every Kerry King guitar riff like he was trying to outdo him, and vice versa. King, head down and grimacing throughout the evening, his long braided beard waving along with his huge signature chains dangling from his side, tore through the Slayer classics like “Temptation” and “Show No Mercy” while Araya screamed and pounded his bass guitar for the adoring Slayer legion.
Again, Araya paused and addressed his fans. “Are you enjoying yourselves so far? You came here to listen to music, right?” He then set up the song “Payback” by letting us know that it’s about karma. “Payback’s a bitch!” he said as the band launched into the song. Naturally, the chaos ensued, and didn’t really slow down until the band played the intro to “Seasons in the Abyss” about three-quarters through the set. Of course when the song’s chugging guitars and drums kicked in, it was business as usual for the Slayer fanatics, fists pumping and “devil horns” raised high.
Araya was clearly becoming emotional at this point. His eyes twinkled as he explained: “This next song (‘Dead Skin Mask’) is about love. Love altogether is what you guys are sharing. I say it because I mean it.” Maybe it was because he saw the end of the bands live performances nearing, and it was truly his way of telling the fans how much he appreciates them for coming to see the band and supporting them for so long.
Like a hurricane meeting a tornado, Slayer brought it to another level with “Chemical Warfare” and the set closing one-two punch of “Raining Blood” and “Angel of Death” that literally shook the Forum’s foundation, with its power of sound and intensity, combined with the frantic audience reaction. They stood and cheered for what seemed like eternity, at shows end, to a clearly pleased band especially Araya, by now showing watery eyes, as he simply stood center stage and smiled as he took it all in. The band tossed out guitar pics and drumsticks to a full house that was on their feet chanting “Slayer, Slayer, SLAYER” in unison.
Keeping with the holiday theme, Araya again addressed his audience. “Thank you so much. There’s so much to be thankful FOR. We’re gonna miss you guys. Just know that I am thankful that you were a part of my life.” And with that it was all over. My last Slayer show, even though there would be one last final bash the following evening.
From the first time I saw Slayer in the late 1980s to this time tonight, I can honestly say that as far as thrash metal goes, they are and always have been the kings. Like an unbeaten heavyweight boxing champion, they are true legends that will always be considered the best at what they do. An awesome evening, that is for sure. In an era where so many “farewells” are temporary, I would hope that this weekend’s activities stay true. The emotions that arose with both the crowd and band need to stay untarnished and true. That said, I look forward to what the future brings. My thanks to all who made it possible to attend. *raises horns in the air* SLAYERRRRRRRR!!!
