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Guitar virtuoso behind Slayer’s hard-hitting riffs, Jeff Hanneman, has passed away at the young age of 49-years-old. The band issued a statement on their official website:

OUR BROTHER JEFF HANNEMAN, MAY HE REST IN PEACE (1964 – 2013)

Slayer is devastated to inform that their bandmate and brother, Jeff Hanneman, passed away at about 11AM this morning near his Southern California home. Hanneman was in an area hospital when he suffered liver failure. He is survived by his wife Kathy, his sister Kathy and his brothers Michael and Larry, and will be sorely missed.

In early 2011, Jeff suffered from necrotizing fasciitis, which was said to be the result of a spider bite. It was at that time that Jeff pulled out of active touring with the band. He passed away from liver failure near his home in Southern California, surrounded by his wife Kathryn and his siblings.

May he rest in peace. The metal community and Slayer will never be the same again. Today, in tribute, we will listen to “Reign In Blood” by Slayer:

\m/ \m/ RIP Jeff Hanneman (1964 – 2013)

Take video from Sesame Street remixed at speeds matching Slayer’s song Ditto Head and you have something that will teach kids all the right things about life beyond Sesame Street. It’s good old-fashioned thrash metal that really syncs up well with the song choice.

In this classical Sesame Street episode we find Oscar singing Slayers Ditto Head along with Bert and Ernie on the drums and Grover playing Guitar. This the second Sesame Street satire Video that I’ve done if you like this one be sure to check ou[t] the other video of mine “Sesame Street “S” Is For Slayer” very short and funny video.

Embedded video after the jump. (continue reading…)

Slayer was forced to cancel their Australian concert on Sunday when Tom Araya came down with laryngitis. They are currently down under to tour with Megadeth.

Saturday night, Araya was on stage when he discovered that he lost his voice and was unable to sing. The other members of the band stepped in to sing so they could finish the show.

Of the news, Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine said, “I was saddened to hear that Tom Araya won’t be able to perform. They are going to proceed to Perth to wait for us and the last show here in Australia.”

The last show is set for Tuesday night. I hope he’s up to it.

Get well soon, Tom!!

If you’re a fan of Megadeth, Slayer, and all things metal, then haul your butt on over to Scott Wharton’s new metal blog, Hook In Mouth. The name of the blog just happens to be one of my favorite Megadeth songs, so you know I have to creep over there to keep up to date on my metal news.

I’m already digging the posts, including the ones about Megadeth nearing the completion of their newest album, how you can win some pretty cool Cannibal Corpse stuff, and how Rob Halford is launching his own record label.

Spread the word!

Lil Kim Has A Wardrobe Malfunction! – Video – Hollywood Dame

Madonna Whines To Malawi Newspaper – Allie Is Wired

Atlantic Records Signs Jason Castro – Rumors In Music

Jessica Simpson Is A Hot Orange Mess – Gossip Sucker

Lily Allen Has Asthma, Quits Smoking – Tragicomical

Mariah Carey Is Trying To Get Knocked Up? – Snarkerati

Simon Cowell Is Leaving American Idol? – Bump Shack

Dave Mustaine Going On Tour With Slayer? – Metal Martyr

Susan Boyle Shocks Everyone On Britain’s Got Talent – Amy Grindhouse

Image Credit: Phil H via Flickr/Creative Commons

On the new version of the Guitar Hero franchise, comes “Guitar Hero: Metallica“. And the track listing has just been revealed. I know, like three days ago. I’m not a big fan of Metallica as much as I used to be. I’m still holding out for “Guitar Hero: Led Zeppelin” or “Guitar Hero: Songs That Don’t Suck“.

Here’s the track listing for the songs by Metallica as well as other bands. I’m stoked to see some older Metallica on the list, as well as Motorhead’s best song, “Ace of Spades”, Suicidal Tendencies, and Slayer.

Call me old school, but they can take their “No Leaf Clover” and stick it up Lars Ulrich’s assets.

Favorites: Battery, Creeping Death, Disposable Heroes, Master of Puppets, and Sad But True.
The Suck: Frantic, Fuel, All Nightmare Long.
My Beefs: Where’s “Gotta Kill Captain Stupid” by Suicidal Tendencies and “Angel Of Death” by Slayer?

Here’s the track listing:

Metallica Tracks

All Nightmare Long
Battery
Creeping Death
Disposable Heroes
Dyers Eve
Enter Sandman
Fade To Black
Fight Fire With Fire
For Whom The Bell Tolls
Frantic
Fuel
Hit The Lights
King Nothing
Master of Puppets
Mercyful Fate (Medley)
No Leaf Clover
Nothing Else Matters
One
Orion
Sad But True
Seek And Destroy
The Memory Remains
The Shortest Straw
The Thing That Should Not Be
The Unforgiven
Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
Wherever I May Roam
Whiplash

Other Artists

Alice In Chains – No Excuses
Bob Seger – Turn The Page
Corrosion of Conformity – Albatross
Diamond Head – Am I Evil?
Foo Fighters – Stacked Actors
Judas Priest – Hell Bent For Leather
Kyuss – Demon Cleaner
Lynyrd Skynyrd – Tuesdays Gone
Machine Head – Beautiful Mourning
Mastodon – Blood And Thunder
Mercyful Fate – Evil
Michael Schenker Group – Armed and Ready
Motorhead – Ace of Spades
Queen – Stone Cold Crazy
Samhain – Mother of Mercy
Slayer – War Ensemble
Social Distortion – Mommy’s Little Monster
Suicidal Tendencies – War Inside My Head
System of a Down – Toxicity
The Sword – Black River
Thin Lizzy – The Boys Are Back in Town

Image Credit: Bauer-Griffin

If you are in the Murrieta, California area and are looking to meet Kerry King of Slayer, then you’re in luck.

I wish they’d come to a closer area on the east coast. Kerry King is awesome and I’d love to meet him.

Anyways, for info on the meet ‘n’ greet, call 951-698-9200 for the Guitar Center in Murrieta.

Slayer guitarrist, Kerry King, has a nice collection of snakes, actually.

I found this out from Blabbermouth, who linked to Blender’s snake filled video of the metal god.

Enjoy!

Speed metal icons Slayer may be calling it quits after the next album. According to Starpulse, Tom Araya thinks he is too old to headbang:

He says, “Well, there have been remarks made about seeing an old man headbang, and I have to agree. It’s actually pretty strenuous. That’s why I don’t see it going any further than a certain point in time.

“We have one more record to do, which is our deal with Rick Rubin, and we’ll have to sit down and discuss the future. But I can’t really see myself doing this at a later age.”

I disagree. I think if you can still put out butt kickin’ music, then you definitely should keep doing it. It’s not an age issue, it’s a talent issue. Unfortunately, a lot of bands out there lack talent. In this case, where the talent drips like raining blood, they should keep going!

I love these little short interviews. And ya gotta love Jeff Hanneman, he’s awesome:

For the rest of the band’s take on the tour with Marilyn Manson, head on over to Blabbermouth and have a listen.