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Slayer @ The Theatre at Madison Square Garden (pics)

photos by Caroline Harrison; words by Doug Moore

Slayer @ Theater at MSB
Slayer

Thrash metal institution Slayer brought their “old-school set” tour with Gojira and 4Arm to the Theatre at Madison Square Garden last Wednesday (11/27).

Despite the fact that the city had emptied out considerably for the Thanksgiving holiday (which fell on the following day), and despite the considerable aspersions that certain quarters cast on the current Hanneman/Lombardo-less iteration of the band, the show drew a strong and enthusiastic crowd. And deservedly so; both Slayer and Gojira ripped it. Slayer’s set in particular took on a considerable emotional charge — this tour is not only their first since Hanneman’s death, but also marks their first appearance at MSG since the early ’90s. From our extensive writeup at Invisible Oranges:

The attendees of this packed NYC show were clearly glad that Slayer still exists in some form. This band continues to inspire the kind of borderline-pathological enthusiasm that is normally reserved for acts like Phish and Jimmy Buffett. Metal’s unspoken law against sporting the logo of the band you’re seeing has no force at Slayer shows. We saw Slayer shirts without number; Slayer hats; Slayer hoodies; Slayer jackets; Slayer tattoos; even multiple pairs of sexy Slayer/American flag leggings. (The trendy Slayer Christmas sweater was notably absent). I planned to keep track of how many times I heard people spontaneously scream “SLAYER!” between bands, but I lost count before I got past the beer line.

We also touched on the flack that the band has caught for carrying on in the wake of Hanneman’s passing and Lombardo’s departure:

Putting aside the unknowable details of the Lombardo split, suppose that Araya and King’s decision to continue as Slayer is purely financial. Do you blame them? If you were in their position, would you set aside the creative business that you’d helped to build for your entire adult life in favor of the nebulous cause of artistic integrity? Or would you do as they’ve done, and keep reigning?

Check out the whole review and an extensive Slayer/Gojira picture set (we missed 4Arm) over at IO and we’ve got a few more pics in this post. If you need more Slayer-related reading material after that, consider purchasing the extensive Slayer 66 2/3: The Jeff and Dave Years for a thematically appropriate $6.66.

Also, Slayer’s classic debut Show No Mercy turns 30 today (12/3). You can stream that via YouTube and check out more pics from Slayer’s Theatre @ MSG show below…

Gojira

Gojira

Gojira

Gojira

Gojira

Gojira

Slayer

Slayer

Slayer

Slayer

Slayer

Slayer

Slayer

Slayer

Slayer

Slayer

Slayer – Show No Mercy