SLAYER: New Video Interview With TOM ARAYA
July 9, 2011Rock Radio's Tom Russell conducted an interview with SLAYER bassist/vocalist Tom Araya yesterday (Friday, July 8) at the U.K. installment of the Sonisphere festival at Knebworth House. You can now watch the chat below.
On guitarist Jeff Hanneman's road to recovery following a spider bite which caused an infection in his arm:
"Jeff developed a really bad infection, which ended up going through his bloodstream. It caused flesh-eating bacteria and it took his whole arm. It was pretty bad. I don't think people realize how bad it was.
"He's rehabilitating his arm so he can play again. Once we're done [on the current tour], we'll see where he's at and see if he's 100%.
"We have Gary Holt from EXODUS standing in. He's amazing. He's a really good friend, so that made it easy.
"When they were thinking of replacing [Jeff], I was, like, 'No!' But they said 'We need to do this. We need to save face with the industry.' So when they mentioned Gary, I said, 'I can handle Gary.' We've known each other for 28 years of the 30 years SLAYER have been together, so I was comfortable.
"I prefer Jeff. I miss Jeff. I wish he was here."
On playing "Big Four" shows with METALLICA, MEGADETH and ANTHRAX:
"I like it. I'm a fan.
"We tried to do this a long time ago to have the four bands together with 'Clash Of The Titans'. That was the idea, but it didn't happen.
"We've been all over Europe with this. I'm hoping they take it to South America.
"When people ask me [if it's gonna hit other parts of the world], I say, 'Dude, you're talking to the wrong guy. You need to talk to the METALLICA people.' It's their show."
Prev 
Comments Disclaimer And Information