Kerry King Talks About SLAYER’s “Premature” Retirement – Meltdown
Recently, SLAYER’s Kerry King talked about the band’s retirement. He told Metal Hammer “It was premature. The reason I say ‘premature’ is because my heroes from my childhood are still playing! I can still play, I still want to play, but that livelihood got taken away from me.” I’d have to agree. The last time I saw them, they were rock solid. That’s not the best time I ever saw them live. That time is reserved for the old Rock On The Range festival in Columbus, Ohio.
Let me give you a little backstory. Until about 10 years ago, I wasn’t a fan. I saw them live for the first time on 1991’s Clash of the Titans tour with Megadeth, Anthrax and a pretty much unknown band called Alice in Chains. I just wasn’t into the band. It’s funny, because as I get older, I starting to dig them much more. I think I have four of five of their albums in my collection. I love them!
Ok, back to Rock On The Range. The year was 2014. I’m usually very busy during these festivals with interviews and the such, but around 6pm or so, things start to slow down so I can watch the bands. I got the chance to watch the band from high atop some scaffolding on the side of the stage. What I saw I’ll never forget. It can only be described as an all out onslaught! Like I said, I’d seen the band before, but never like this. It. Was. Awesome!
The sheer power. The ferociousness….unmatched from anything I’d ever witnessed before.
It was like a war right in front of you. It was one of the greatest concerts experiences I’ve ever had.
Maybe it was because I was lucky enough to be able to watch it from that vantage point. Whatever it was, it was something I’ll never forget.
I’d love to see SLAYER come out of retirement…..if only.
-Meltdown-
Looking Back at Slayer's Final Detroit Show One Year Later
Right about this time of the year is when we start getting the coolers, blankets and lawn chairs together for tailgating at our outdoor concert venues. Unfortunately times are a lot different now and everything is getting canceled or postponed daily. Thanks a lot rona (<–sarcasm)!! It was one year ago today (May 19, 2019) we kicked off the 2019 summer concert series at DTE Energy Music Theatre when Slayer performed their final show in Detroit as part of the last leg of the final tour. It was even a somewhat rainy and wet day like today but it did not stop Slayer fans from celebrating one of the biggest and greatest live bands of our generation closing out their careers in Detroit. It’s already hard living a life as a metalhead knowing you wont ever see Slayer again but facing the uncertainty of not knowing when we will get to see live music in person again is pretty tough for some of us! So I just want to take this time and look back at one of my favorite shows of 2019 featuring Slayer, Lamb of God, Behemoth and Cannibal Corpse. One hell of a lineup if I say so myself!! Just like many of you, I cannot wait to get back to shows again even if there are strict guidelines for safety. Until that time comes we can only look back at some of our favorite memories. What were your favorite shows of 2019?
Meltdown started on the mighty WRIF on the evening of Halloween, 1995. Technically, his first on-air shift was the morning of November 1st. Moving to the Motor City from Buffalo, N.Y., he has built a career and family. Over his almost three-decade stint at RIFF, he's had the privilege to work with some of the biggest personalities in Detroit radio history. He boasts of being just the second-afternoon drive jock in the station's illustrious 53-year history.
Along with his love for rock music and attending concerts, he's also an avid Harley-Davidson enthusiast and hockey player. He plays year-round and manages to squeeze in a few charity games throughout the year. Meltdown writes about the Detroit Red Wings, rock music, and Detroit concert venues.
