They’re one of the ‘Big Four’ on the thrash metal scene, along with Megadeth, Metallica and Anthrax – so it quite literally, doesn’t get much bigger than this. Massively popular metal act Slayer is set for its maiden Indian tour (the first two bands have already made a pitstop here).
Come October and a slew of metalheads will come this way, to catch a glimpse of the Grammy Award-winners at Vladivar Rock’n India, thrashing out tracks like Raining Blood and War Ensemble. And the metal giants seem upbeat about it too, as we learn from bassist and vocalist Tom Araya, and lead guitarist Kerry King.
“Looking forward to our India gig – to create the live Slayer experience for our fans and make it worth the wait,” Araya tells us, explaining that India never happened before because, “Well, no one ever asked! The organisers of Vladivar Rock’nIndia got in touch with us and here we are.”
When asked whether the band prefers live gigs versus the experience of recording in a studio, Araya sums it up simply, “We love performing together. Period.” He adds that even when they unwind offstage, “(They) create more music.”
King asserts that their popularity might have to do with the fact the music they make is “real” to them and they believe in it.
“Though looking back at our very first record today is a bit corny, you have to realise we were 19-year-old kids trying to find out what the hell we were doing. But it has always been real for us. Slayer has always been street wise. We’ve never tried to be anything we weren’t,” he tells us, further elaborating, “Like, for example, I don’t believe in God or the Devil but I do put religion on trial because that is who I am and so that translates into the music. If people get that and they like us, they will cling to us. And we’ve always come through.”
And come through they will, next month, when they put up a show for their fans, which will include, “A lot of intense lyrics and great music,” Araya tells us. “This is just a one day, one show, one live Slayer experience. So we are looking to get our fans to sing with us. Slayer music does drive its fans crazy,” he concludes.
On October 20 at 4 pm, at Bhartiya City, Thanisandra Road, Bengaluru. Tickets, priced at Rs 2,500, are available on ticketgenie.in
