In early 2011, Hanneman contracted necrotizing fasciitis. According to the band, doctors say that it likely originated from a spider bite. In light of this situation and Slayer’s participation in the Australian Soundwave Festival tour set to kick off on February 26, the band made the tough decision to play the dates without Hanneman. Gary Holt of Exodus was announced as Jeff’s temporary replacement. Metal website Metal Underground used this to their advantage when they posted a joke article on April 1, 2011 that suggested Hanneman had actually left the band. The article was picked up and distributed by other sites and social media, leading to initial dismay from fans.
Cannibal Corpse guitarist Pat O’Brien filled in for Exodus’ Gary Holt when Holt left the Slayer European tour to play with his own band Exodus at the Estadio Nacional in Santiago, Chile on April 10. Holt’s last show with Slayer was April 4 in Padova, Italy, O’Brien joined the band for the April 6 show in Croatia, and finished the European dates with Slayer that wrapped up on April 14 in the Netherlands.
Gary Holt rejoined Slayer on April 23, 2011, at the Big 4 show, in the United States. Jeff Hanneman replaced Holt during the final two songs, “South of Heaven” and “Angel of Death”.
Next album and current events (2011–present)
In a May 2011 interview with Geeks of Doom, Dave Lombardo was asked if Slayer was going to make another album. He replied: “Yes absolutely; Although there’s nothing written but there is definitely plans. Of course. We have to. Why not? I’m not retiring and I don’t think Kerry [King] is retiring either so… I like longevity and a true musician never abandons his art.”However, according to Tom Araya, Slayer will not begin writing a new album until Jeff Hanneman’s condition improves. When asked about Hanneman’s condition in July 2011, Araya told Linnéa Olsson of Sveriges Television (SVT): “Jeff was seriously ill. Jeff ended up contracting a bacteria that ate away his flesh on his arm, so they cut open his arm, from his wrist to his shoulder, and they did a skin graft on him, they cleaned up… It was a flesh-eating virus, so he was really, really bad. So we’ll wait for him to get better, and when he’s a hundred percent, he’s gonna come out and join us.” On November 21, 2011, Guitar World posted an announcement that Dave Lombardo tweeted that the band had started to write new music. The tweet read: “SLAYER is writing a new record and PHILM is about to start mixing their debut record. Looking forward to touring again with new music.” This means that Jeff Hanneman has improved on his condition dealing with his health and is ready to enter studio again.”
October 7, 2011 marked the 25th anniversary for Slayer’s third studio album Reign In Blood. To celebrate the anniversary, the band will be performing Reign In Blood at the All Tomorrow’s Parties “I’ll Be Your Mirror” festival at Alexandra Palace, London. Slayer will be joining the sludge metal band Melvins on May 25, 2012. Slayer has been announced to be coheadlining Mayhem Festival 2012 alongside Slipknot.
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