RIP Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman

[Tarkatan Trash]

http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=189480

Hanneman co-founded Slayer in 1981 with fellow guitarist Kerry King after the two auditioned for another band, and has been a significant staple in the band, which includes being one of the band's primary songwriters (among the most notable songs he wrote was "Angel of Death" on 1986's Reign In Blood album), until developing necrotizing fasciitis in January 2011 from a suspected spider bite. Since then, Exodus guitarist Gary Holt has taken his place in the live line-up. To be honest, I was optimistic about a full recovery, but when 2 years passed since then with Holt still playing live for Slayer, I knew there was a red flag.

His solos were a marvel to behold. He will be missed.

Jeffrey John "Jeff" Hanneman
January 31, 1964 - May 2, 2013
RIP

 

[Destroyer_13]

wow I cant believe it. I seriously just found out. slayer just wont be the same now. R.I.P. Jeff

 

[Dedamn666]

This is sad news. The rock gods seem to be falling one by one. Too young. RIP Jeff Hanneman.

 

[skmacneil]

A amazing band, he will be missed.

 

[Tarkatan Trash]

The only question I see in Slayer's future stemming from this is Gary Holt's status in the band. Holt was quoted in 2011 as saying that his top priority is Exodus (as evidenced by the fact that Cannibal Corpse guitarist Pat O'Brien filled in for Holt and Hanneman for Slayer shows when Exodus went on a separate tour), but I would not be surprised if Holt officially left Exodus to join Slayer on a permanent basis. Exodus has been known to have line-up changes from time to time, among the most notable of which saw founding guitarist Kirk Hammett quit Exodus to replace Dave Mustaine in Metallica before either band recorded their debut album, and Steve "Zetro" Souza replace Paul Baloff on vocals twice (Baloff died of a stroke in the second case).

I also know that Slayer has been in the studio without Hanneman since about the Summer of last year, and that the band also has an uncertain drummer situation. A few months ago, Dave Lombardo held out of an Australian tour due to a contract dispute and was replaced for those dates by Jon Dette, who filled in for Slayer in 1996 after Paul Bostaph briefly quit to do a side project (which ultimately fell through).

And if anyone missed the Revolver Golden Gods Awards show on either Axs TV or XBox Live, then obviously you missed quite a bit of Hanneman Tributes, but my favorite was from his own bandmate, Kerry King.