Slayer has unveiled the latest addition to its official online museum, “Slaytanic Verses“, giving fans a deep dive into one of the most formative moments in their history. The new collection, titled “Hell On Tour,” launches today, November 10, to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the band’s seminal 1985 album, Hell Awaits.
The exhibit’s centerpiece is the band’s original, handwritten tour notebook from that era. This blue-cover notebook, meticulously kept by Slayer‘s tour manager, provides a rare day-by-day glimpse into the 1985 world tour. It documents the logistics, travel routes, and show details of the relentless 60-show, seven-country trek that introduced Hell Awaits to the world and solidified Slayer‘s reputation as a global force.
In addition to this rare artifact, the “Hell On Tour” archive features exclusive, never-before-seen video interviews with bassist/vocalist Tom Araya and guitarist Kerry King. In the new interviews, both members reflect on the “chaos, intensity, and significance” of the Hell Awaits era, offering their personal accounts of the band’s ascent.
For over four decades, Slayer‘s uncompromising sound has established them as the supreme thrash-metal band, and their inclusion in “The Big Four” (alongside Metallica, Megadeth, and Anthrax) cemented their place in music history. Unlike many contemporaries, the two-time Grammy winners steadfastly refused to commercialize their sound, remaining “crushing and brutal” throughout their career.
After the passing of founding guitarist Jeff Hanneman in 2013, Exodus guitarist Gary Holt filled his spot, and drummer Paul Bostaph rejoined the lineup. Slayer conducted a massive farewell world tour from 2018 to 2019, playing 148 shows. However, the band surprised fans in 2024 by reuniting to headline three major U.S. festivals: Riot Fest, Louder Than Life, and Aftershock. While the band has stated they have no plans for extensive touring, they remain open to playing “one-off shows.”
Fans can explore the new “Hell On Tour” collection at Slayer.net.
Ogorthul: Immersed in the bone-shattering world of death metal and beyond. I’m here to excavate the latest news, reviews, and interviews from the extreme metal scene for you.
