Sandra Araya, wife of SLAYER’s bassist/vocalist Tom Araya, has stepped forward to support the band’s decision to reunite for a couple of headline festival appearances this fall, marking a return five years after SLAYER concluded its “farewell” tour
Announced this past Wednesday, February 21, Tom Araya, guitarist Kerry King, guitarist Gary Holt, and drummer Paul Bostaph are set to grace the stages of Chicago’s Riot Fest on September 22 and Louisville’s Louder Than Life on September 27. These performances are being hailed as the band’s first since November 2019.
As initially reported by BLABBERMOUTH.NET, three days after the news of SLAYER‘s comeback hit the wire, Sandra Araya posted the following message to her Facebook and Instagram accounts: “Let’s clarify for the trolls: Tom was done with playing. I have harassed him for over a year. He agreed FINALLY. We shared that news with SLAYER‘s awesome managers and they did the rest! So yes without Tom it wouldn’t have happened.. without me BUGGING HIM it wouldn’t have happened. But go ahead with your drama! I however will be enjoying a few shows and I’m thankful he loves me and the fans enough to do this”.
In a statement confirming SLAYER‘s return, Tom said: “Nothing compares to the 90 minutes when we’re on stage playing live, sharing that intense energy with our fans, and to be honest, we have missed that.” King added: “Have I missed playing live? Absolutely. SLAYER means a lot to our fans; they mean a lot to us. It will be five years since we have seen them.”
The support for Sandra‘s sentiments extended to Gary Holt and his wife Lisa Holt, both of whom showed their approval by “liking” Sandra’s Instagram post. Lisa additionally responded with three heart emojis.
The same day that SLAYER‘s comeback was announced, Lisa Holt took to her social media to write: “Yes, it’s true..and an exciting adventure for the band and fans!
“To all the people saying ‘they are liars’ ‘they must have ran out of money’ ‘its not SLAYER without so and so’ ..I have an idea for you all…DON’T GO.. and for all the people who did go to the final tour dates and enjoyed it…awesome!!
“This isn’t a ‘TOUR’ it’s some dates..and GREAT NEWS!!!” she added. “And everyone that thinks they know all the inside info..you can’t possibly know. so just enjoy the fact that this amazing band will play some amazing shows this year…go or don’t..nobody cares!!!!!”
SLAYER‘s farewell tour concluded with a monumental show at the Forum in Los Angeles in November 2019. Shortly thereafter, Kerry King‘s wife, Ayesha, vehemently stated that a reunion for further live performances was out of the question.
SLAYER embarked on their final world tour on May 10, 2018, aiming to reach as many fans as possible and facilitate a chance for them to bid farewell. Over the course of 18 months, the band completed seven tour legs, alongside numerous one-off major summer festivals, totaling more than 140 shows across 30 countries and 40 U.S. states.
