Sandra Araya, wife of Slayer bassist and vocalist Tom Araya, recently spoke out on social media, revealing the crucial role she and her husband played in making the Slayer reunion a reality.
In a surprising turn of events, Slayer has announced its decision to reunite for a series of headlining festival gigs this fall. This announcement comes five years after the band concluded its farewell tour, signaling what many believed was the definitive end of Slayer’s era.
As per Blabbermouth, Sandra Araya took to social media this weekend to address the band’s decision to reunite, stating that she had been urging Tom Araya to consider a comeback for over a year. Saying she is set to clear the air for the trolls, she wrote:
“Let’s clarify for the trolls: Tom was done with playing. I have harassed him for over a year. He agreed FINALLY. We shared that news with Slayer’s awesome managers, and they did the rest! So yes, without Tom, it wouldn’t have happened.. Without me BUGGING HIM, it wouldn’t have happened. But go ahead with your drama! I, however, will be enjoying a few shows, and I’m thankful he loves me and the fans enough to do this.”
According to Sandra, it was only after her efforts that Tom finally agreed to the idea, which led to discussions with Slayer’s management and the official announcement of their return.
Gary Holt’s Wife Also Commented On Slayer’s Reunion
The news of the Slayer reunion was met with a mix of excitement and skepticism from fans, resulting in responses from both Sandra and Lisa Holt, wife of guitarist Gary Holt, on social media platforms. They addressed various accusations from fans, ranging from financial motivations to allegations of dishonesty regarding the band’s previous farewell tour.
A couple of days ago, Lisa wrote:
“To all the people saying ‘they are liars,’ ‘they must have run out of money,’ ‘it’s not Slayer without so and so,’ I have an idea for you all… Don’t go. And for all the people who did go to the final tour dates and enjoyed it… awesome!!”
Why Did Slayer Disband?
Slayer’s decision to disband in November 2019 came without a clear explanation, though comments from former drummer Dave Lombardo and Kerry King have since shed light on the personal and physical challenges faced by the band members, particularly Tom Araya.
In statements released by the band members, Tom Araya shared his enthusiasm for returning to the stage, saying:
“Nothing compares to the 90 minutes when we’re on stage playing live, sharing that intense energy with our fans, and to be honest, we have missed that.”
Kerry King also voiced his eagerness to reconnect with fans, reflecting on the impact that Slayer has had on both the members and their audience:
“Have I missed playing live? Absolutely. Slayer means a lot to our fans; they mean a lot to us. It will be five years since we have seen them.”
Despite previous statements from Kerry King and Ayesha King (Kerry’s wife) suggesting that a reunion was unlikely, the band has decided to move forward with these select performances.
Slayer is slated to perform at Chicago’s Riot Fest on September 22 and Louisville’s Louder Than Life on September 27. These performances are being billed as the band’s first gigs since their final show in November 2019. The reunion is not labeled as a tour but rather a limited series of dates.
