SLAYER Guitarist Jeff Hanneman Dead At 49! According to a press release sent to BraveWords from management,
SLAYER
is devastated to inform that their bandmate and brother, Jeff Hanneman,
passed away at about 11AM PST this morning (May 2nd) near his Southern
California home. He was 49. Hanneman was in an area hospital when he
suffered liver failure. He is survived by his wife Kathy, his sister
Kathy and his brothers Michael and Larry, and will be sorely missed.
BraveWords is in a state of shock with this news and we offer
condolences to Hanneman's family, friends and legion of fans. Hanneman
had a hand in some of the most important albums in metal history
including Hell Awaits, Seasons In The Abyss, South Of Heaven and the
unsurpassed Reign In Blood. Hanneman wrote the music for most of the
band's treasured songs such as 'South Of Heaven', 'War Ensemble',
'Raining Blood' and 'Angel Of Death' - all staples for live performance
at Slayer shows.
In February Slayer singer Tom Araya spoke with Andrew Haug from
AndrewHaug.com - Australia's Only Dedicated 24/7 Rock-Metal Station - at
the Melbourne stop of Soundwave 2013. He was asked about the status of
guitarist Jeff Hanneman, who was hospitalized in early 2011 with
necrotizing fasciitis (likely rooted in a spider bite). The band had
since enlisted EXODUS' Gary Holt for live shows.
(Photo above: Hanneman making a special appearance at the Big 4 concert in Indio, CA in April 2011)
"Even though he's not in the picture, he's still part of the
picture," Araya said. "It's taken him a lot longer than he even thought.
He can play and he can work out the material but… It's like everything
else, depending on how you are health-wise as a person, that affects how
you heal. Even though you haven't seen him live, he's still part of the
band."
Check out the 15-minute chat below:
SLAYER Interview 2013 "It's a throwaway society"AndrewHaug.com Online Radio
Ven 3 Mai - 13:41
