SLLLLLAAAYYYEEERRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!
As a metal fan, going to see a Slayer show is kind of an obligation. If you like metal, you like Slayer. Most metal fans would cite Slayer as a major catalyst for their obsession, so missing them when they come through town should feel like a big mistake. Someday they could go away forever, and you’ll be left thinking, “I only saw Slayer three times when I could have seen them four.”
That being said, there is nothing like a crowd at a Slayer show. I have been to hundreds and hundreds of metal shows, and no band I have ever seen incites pure lunacy as much as Slayer. Even before they mount the stage, fans can be heard bellowing their name as loud as they can, often causing others to echo. I’ve even heard Slayer chants occur between opening acts at a Slayer show. So, I think it goes without saying the pits at Slayer shows are not for the meek. Once Slayer is on the stage ripping through a set, mosh-pitters lose all concern for their own personal safety, let alone the safety of others.
Slayer fans also fully embrace new material. They are similar to Rush fans in that regard. Of course, when fans go see Rush they wanna hear standards like “Tom Sawyer” and “The Spirit of Radio,” but you’ll see the diehards singing along and playing air drums to their newest material as well. Slayer fans are no different. As long as it’s a Slayer song, they’re in.
On Sunday night at the Roseland, Slayer lived up to all the previously mentioned standards…
Their set included classics like “Chemical Warfare” and “Die by the Sword,” but they also played a large cross-section of tracks from their newest record, Repentless, which fans were quite enthused about. I saw several people pumping their fist and singing along to “Hell Awaits” as much as new tracks like “Pride and Prejudice.”
The pit swirled crazy like a flesh-and-bone tornado for every song. Shoes, coats, hats, and basically anything that wasn’t completely attached to the whirlpool’s masses were flying through the air. Seeing as the show was fully sold out, this put a lot of pressure on the rest of the crowd. If you wanted to make your way to the bathroom or try to get yourself a drink at the two bars, you’d have been wise to throw out your personal bubble standards and prepare for an adventure.
Unfortunately on stage, Slayer was starting to look a little aged. Sonically they were spot on, but watching them was like seeing some boys that are starting to feel the wear of 30-plus years.
Kerry King worked the stage a bit, and did some measured headbanging, but it kind of looked like he just flipped a switch. It didn’t look like the riffs were driving him to bang his head. Tom Araya has an excuse because he had back surgery a few years ago—when he stayed put most of the show it wasn’t a surprise. Gary Holt was the one who looked like he was holding most of the fire. His enthusiasm is most likely attributed to the fact that he’s only been in Slayer officially for a few years or so. The excitement probably hasn’t worn off yet.
What was interesting were Araya’s little introspective moments. Just about every four or five songs they would do a set break. Holt and King would dip into the darkness of the stage and tune their guitars, while Araya be left standing center stage with a spotlight affixed on him. He would stay there, silently overlooking the crowd, slowly turning his head from one side of the building to the other, alternating between a shit-eating grin, and just a blank stare. For almost a minute or two each time Araya would just watch the crowd get worked up and say nothing. Then, break his silence with things like, “All right,” or “Fuckin’ A. Let’s do the whole alphabet…Fuckin’ B,” and smile even bigger.
One might think at this point Slayer is just kind of going through the motions, and that might be partially true. However, they deserve all of the accolades they’ve received for what they’ve accomplished in their illustrious career. Shouldn’t they be able to enjoy the rest of it how they see fit?
I’m not worthy enough to pass judgment. Slayer… forever.