SLAYER’S 2018 FAREWELL TOUR
Hollywood Casino Ampitheatre
Tinley Park IL
Fri 5/25/18

Upon witnessing Slayer bow out with all guns blazing from back in late May of 2018- I have one thing to say:
SLAYAAARGGGHHHHH!!!!
You get the picture.
A band like Slayer, up through to the inevtable end, go out on their own terms, with a setlist that’s uncompromising, and the finesse and integrity to keep things as they’ve always been- full bore THRASH.
And Slayer, on their Farewell Tour, brought out a heavy hitter lineup to provide support, with Lamb of God, Anthrax, Behemoth and Testament.
Slayer, providing a mighty performance, fired up, with a showing that’s untouchable and impervious to distractions and the occasional gargantuan nuclear size balls of pyro.
Slayer turned this funeral occasion with a riotous and sold out celebration of all things thrash, relishing in their glorious legacy.
Slayer, on this special night, and like so many others I’ve witnessed firsthand, are untouchable.
Dave Lombardo is no longer behind the kit, and of course co- founding guitarist Jeff Hannemen passed away some while ago, but Paul Bostaph and Gary Holt (the latter from the mighty band Exodus) both play as though their lives depend on it, free wheeling and serious to the core in sound of all things Slayer, throughout the entire show.
Of the big four in thrash: Metallica, Testament, Anthrax and Slayer-  Slayer has remained steadfast and true to form since their beginning, never needing to compromise and cross into the mainstream- and their fans, as rabid as they are, love them even more for it.
Slayer- always stubborn and an unmovable force of nature, all of their songs as sharp and concise as ever, direct in approach, and always defiantly brutal, with a capital “B”.
Goddamn how we will miss all things Slayer, and all things Kerry King and Tom Araya front and center.
Yes, the band continued their Farewell into late 2019, and could have continued for years and years to come.
But you could see the end coming, sort of, with Tom Araya and his health issues, maintaining the brutal force performing live, and keeping true to their roots, but their physical bodies suggesting otherwise.
So yes- with Slayer, this is definitely an emotional goodbye.
And hard not to get emotional with Tom Araya standing stoic between songs, soaking in the applause, with a big smile on his face, and repeating over and over throughout the show how much he’s gonna miss all of us, the mighty brethren and devoted fans of Slayer.
Personally, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
So yes, this is a short and sweet review, with a fond farewell to these wonderful dudes, and wanting to personally thank them for their time over the years, allowing this photographer to capture them too many times to count, and they knowing full well, from the bottom up, growing alongside them and witnessing firsthand their deserved popularity, and what they mean to the thrash and metal community as a whole.
SLAYER- the best of the best.
Cheers- Bobby Talamine – Music Photographer