Addressing The Slayer Break Up Rumors
Most metalheads will admit that Slayer breaking up would indeed be a dark day, but inevitably that day will come. In the meantime, we are left to move around in a world where rumors circulate on a daily basis about things such as Jeff Hanneman jamming with Metallica due to James Hetfield losing speed in his picking wrist. Then there was the one about Kerry King and Dream Theater (which is infinitely more confounding). You get rumors of Tom Araya retiring to his ranch so he can coach little league basketball and Dave Lombardo taking up a job as a session drummer for rap stars. I dunno, some of these probably possess at least a small degree of truth, because as they say, where there is smoke, there is fire. However, the latest Slayer break up rumor circulating makes the least sense of all. If THAT really did happen at a show they did with the Melvins, surely we’d all know for fact. But, rumors being rumors, who knows?? But if Jello Biafra, Kate Upton, and Morgan Freeman are in your fanbase, you must be doing something right, so I vote that they stick around and continue on despite what goes on around them…
UPDATE February 21, 2013:
“I want to personally apologize to all of our fans in Australia who have bought tickets for the tour expecting to see me in my usual place on the drums.
So that you all know the truth, as of the end of the business day on February 14th, I was notified that I would not be drumming for the tour in Australia. I’m saddene…d, and to be honest I am shocked by the situation.
Last year, I discovered 90% of Slayer’s tour income was being deducted as expenses including the professional fees paid to management, costing the band millions of dollars and leaving 10% or less to split amongst the four of us. In my opinion, this is not the way a band’s business should operate. I tried rectifying it by letting my band mates know, and Tom and I hired auditors to figure out what happened, but I was denied access to detailed information and the necessary back up documents.
I spent the Christmas and New Year holidays realizing I had toured all over the world in 2012, but yet, had not been paid (except a small advance) or provided a proper accounting for a full year’s sweat and blood. On top of this, I was told that I would not be paid until I signed a long form contract which gave me no written assurance of how much or on what basis management would deduct commissions, nor did it provide me access to the financial budgets or records for review. It also forbade me to do interviews or make statements having to do with the band, in effect a gagging order.
Last Monday, I sat down with Kerry and Tom to rehearse for Australia and to propose a new business model that I felt was the best way forward for Slayer to confidently protect itself so we could do what we do best . . . play for the fans. Kerry made it clear he wasn’t interested in making changes and said if I wanted to argue the point, he would find another drummer. On Thursday, I arrived at rehearsals at 1 pm as scheduled, but Kerry did not show. Rather, at 6:24 pm I received an email from the lawyers saying I was being replaced for the Australian dates.
I remain hopeful that we can resolve our issues. But once again, I sincerely apologize to all of our fans in Australia who spent their money expecting to see the 3 of us original Slayer members.
I look forward to seeing you in the future.”
Sincerely,
Dave Lombardo
Update 5/2/13 – RIP… Rest in peace Jeff Hanneman. Unfortunately, Slayer’s TALENTED guitarist was taken from us.
