Jeff Hanneman is not ready to rejoin Slayer

As we previously reported, Jeff Hanneman will not be touring with Slayer through the summer of 2011. A spokesperson for SLAYER has informed fan site Slayerized.com that it is not very likely that founding guitarist Jeff Hanneman will join the band for the upcoming South American tour which kicks off next week (June 2) in Santiago, Chile. A replacement guitarist hasn't been officially named, but it is believed to once again be Gary Holt of EXODUS.

Hanneman stepped onstage with SLAYER at the April 23 "Big Four" concert in Indio, California, marking the first time he has played with the band since last October. In January, Hanneman contracted necrotizing fasciitis, likely caused by a spider bite, and has been undergoing surgeries, skin grafts and intense rehab since. Hanneman surprised the crowd of 50,000 when he walked out onto the stage, unannounced, and played the two-song encore,"South Of Heaven" and "Angel Of Death".

Holt (EXODUS) has been the primary guest guitarist with SLAYER since the band started its 2011 touring schedule in February, and will continue in that capacity until Hanneman has completely recovered.

No word as to whether Hanneman will be ready for this fall's Big Four Tour date at Yankee Stadium in The Bronx, NY.

Cannibal Corpse guitarist to follow Gary Holt as next Slayer fill-in guitarist.

Cannibal Corpse guitarist Pat O’Brien will follow Gary Holt as the fill in guitarist for Jeff Hanneman beginning April 6^th in Croatia. Holt has played with the band since late February, but with his responsibilities with Exodus heating up again he'll need to step away. Hanneman is still recovering from his emergency surgery in January for flesh eating bacteria that damaged his right arm. There is no time table yet for his return to the band and no word if O’Brien will be on stage with Slayer on April 23^rd in Indio CA for the very first (so far) American Big 4 of Thrash Metal concert.  

Slayer frontman hospitalized after first Soundwave Festival gig, cancels tonights show.

Following Slayer's first show of the Soundwave Festival Tom Araya was hospitalized and they have canceled tonight's show at the Sydney venue, the second of six nights of the tour. No details were released as to what caused Araya to be kept overnight. Slayer has canceled several shows the last few years due to illness and surgery on Tom's back. The band is on tour in Australia with Gary Holt filling in for Jeff Hanneman on guitar who is sitting out the tour after illness (flesh eating bacteria on his right arm) and surgery. As more information becomes available we will report it.

Vulgar Display of Blog wishes Tom a speedy recovery.

Gary Holt Comments on fill-in gig with Slayer.

As reported earlier in the week Gary Holt has been named as the temporary replacement for Jeff Hanneman in Slayer. Hanneman is sitting out the upcoming Soundwave Festival Tour of Australia. Holt commented on the occasion:

“How Can I put into words how excited I am to have been asked to play with Slayer? Hard to describe, sure.”

“Legendary band, check. Old friends since the birth of thrash metal. Check. Get to play “Angel of Death live, priceless.”

“I'll do my best to live up to the standard they've set for so many years, while we all wish Jeff a speedy return to health and his rightful place in Slayer.”

As previously reported Hanneman was hospitalized in late January when he underwent emergency surgery for a series infection in his right arm. The diagnosis was necrotizing faciitis, more commonly known as flesh-eating bacteria syndrome. Although he is expected to make a full recovery there is no timetable when he can return to the stage.

SLAYER GUITARIST TO MISS AUSTRALIAN SOUNDWAVE TOUR. REPLACEMENT TBA SOON.

Slayer guitarist and thrash metal legend Jeff Hanneman has been forced to sit out the groups' upcoming trip to Australia for the annual Soundwave Festival Tour. Jeff was hospitalized in late January when he underwent emergency surgery for a serious infection in his right arm. The initial diagnosis was necrotizing fasciitis, more commonly known as flesh-eating bacteria syndrome. Jeff is at home recovering and is undergoing treatment, including skin grafts. He is expected to make a full-recovery. He will however, miss all five dates of the already partially sold-out tour that is slated to hit every major Australian city. No word as yet if he will be recovered in time to be able to play The Big Four Show, April 23^rd in Indio, California.

Slayer made the decision to do the shows without Jeff rather than cancel the tour together. They are in the process of recruiting a fill-in guitarist until Jeff is ready to perform again. The band released a statement from the explaining the decision:

“Jeff is our brother, we've all been friends and together as a band for almost 30 years, so we want him to completely recover as soon as possible.” said Tom Araya of Hannemen.

Added Kerry King: “After everything that happened last year we all agreed that we just can't let our fans down again. Jeff is totally on board with this decision, so he'll be back as soon as he possibly can. And we can't wait for Jeff to get better and get his ass back on the road.”.

King was of course referring to the last few years which saw Slayer postpone and cancel several tours due to health concerns, mostly due to Tom Araya's ongoing neck and back problems.

All of us here at the Vulgar Display of Blog wish Jeff a speedy recovery.