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-