Gary Holt and Paul Bostaph from SLAYER recently shared their thoughts on the band’s reunion performances, particularly at Riot Fest and Aftershock festival. Holt described the experience as “magical” and “surreal,” emphasizing the powerful connection between the band and the audience. He reflected on the energy before the shows, saying it felt electrifying, and mentioned that while it was disappointing to lose the Louder Than Life show due to a hurricane, the Riot Fest performance was unforgettable. Holt indicated that SLAYER might make occasional appearances in the future but doesn’t foresee full tours, as it allows him to focus on EXODUS.
Holt also discussed how he approached playing SLAYER songs, acknowledging that while he couldn’t perfectly replicate Jeff Hanneman’s solos, he tried to match the vibe of the original. He highlighted “South Of Heaven” as a significant song, representing Hanneman’s contribution to SLAYER.
Bostaph, in an interview with Nikki Blakk of 107.7 The Bone, mentioned that while the performances left him feeling drained, they were incredibly rewarding. He described the energy from the fans as overwhelming and expressed surprise at the reunion. However, he confirmed that the Aftershock show was likely the band’s last, as they had no current plans for more SLAYER performances.
While Kerry King had mentioned that the reunion shows were not indicative of a full return, he did not completely rule out the possibility of future SLAYER shows, especially if Europe shows interest. For now, the reunion performances at festivals like Riot Fest and Aftershock mark SLAYER’s final live appearances.