Decibel's Tribute To Jeff Hanneman

When he passed away on Thursday, May 2, 2013 at the age of 49, it became impossible to be hyperbolic about the legacy of SLAYER guitarist & songwriter Jeff Hanneman.  Decibel scribe Justin Norton calls a spade a spade when he rightfully and unflinchingly states in Decibel’s July cover issue: "Every band ever featured in this magazine owes [SLAYER] something."

Hanneman and SLAYER have coursed through the life’s blood of North America’s only national monthly metal magazine since its onset – most notably with two Hall of Fame inductions (1986’s Reign In Blood and 1988’s South Of Heaven) and two exhaustive cover stories.  For this heartfelt “Forever Reigning: A Final Tribute” issue, our good friends at Decibel have compiled a moving retrospective obituary featuring some of Jeff Hanneman's most biting quotes and a litany of heartfelt remembrances from Metallica to Testament to At the Gates to Autopsy plus countless other contemporaries.  Consider it their worldwide wake for Mr. Hanneman to thank him in print for contributing immortal classics such as “Die By The Sword” (Hanneman), “Hell Awaits” (Hanneman/King), “Angel Of Death” (Hanneman), “Raining Blood” (Hanneman/King), “South Of Heaven” (Araya/Hanneman), and “War Ensemble” (Araya/Hanneman) to the musical canon of thrash & heavy metal.

Fans can purchase this very special issue at Decibel Magazine’s online store here.

For those able to travel to Southern California next week, the all ages Jeff Hanneman Memorial Celebration - free and open to the public on a first-come, first-in basis (subject to capacity) - will take place on Thursday, May 23^rd at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, California from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. 

Nuclear Blast worldwide mourns the loss of this gifted veteran musician and offers sincere condolences to Jeff’s surviving family members, his bandmates, SLAYER’s long-standing management team members and publicists, his friends, and to the legions of fans around the world whose lives Jeff’s music touched. 

May the depth and expanse of our collective mourning be a living testament to the power music holds to bring us together in Jeff Hanneman’s name.

May our pain be transformed and inspire us to continually feed the flames of friendship within our worldwide community.

May we all find strength in knowing that we will never be alone in our grieving. 

Jeff Hanneman Memorial Celebration Details Announced

The Jeff Hanneman Memorial Celebration will take place on Thursday, May 23 at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles from 3:30 - 7:30PM.  Hanneman passed away on May 2 at the age of 49. 

The Memorial Celebration will be free and open to the public on a first-come, first-in basis (subject to venue capacity).  All ages are welcome, and paid parking will be available around the venue.

Jeff Hanneman helped shape Slayer's uncompromising thrash-metal sound as well as an entire genre of music.  His riffs of fury and punk-rock attitude were heard in the songs he wrote, including Slayer classics  "Angel of Death," "Raining Blood," "South of Heaven" and "War Ensemble."  Hanneman co-founded Slayer with fellow-guitarist Kerry King, bassist Tom Araya and drummer Dave Lombardo in Huntington Park, CA in 1981.  For more than 30 years, Hanneman was the band member who stayed out of the spotlight, rarely did interviews, amassed an impressive collection of World War II memorabilia, was with his wife Kathy for nearly three decades, shut off his phone and went incommunicado when he was home from tour, did not want to be on the road too late into any December as Christmas was his favorite holiday, and, from the time he was about 12 years old, woke up every, single day with one thing on his mind:  playing the guitar.

It was once suggested to Slayer that if they would write "just one mainstream song that could get on the radio," they would likely sell millions of records and change the commercial course of their career, similar to what had happened to Metallica with 1993's "Enter Sandman."  Jeff was the first to draw a line of integrity in the sand, replying, "We're going to make a Slayer record.  If you can get it on the radio, fine, if not, then fuck it."

Slayer Official Site

Slayer Facebook

Jeff Hanneman Update

Photo by AndrewStuartPhotos.com
From Slayer.net:

"We've just learned that the official cause of Jeff's death was alcohol related cirrhosis. While he had his health struggles over the years, including the recent Necrotizing fasciitis infection that devastated his well-being, Jeff and those close to him were not aware of the true extent of his liver condition until the last days of his life. Contrary to some reports, Jeff was not on a transplant list at the time of his passing, or at any time prior to that. In fact, by all accounts, it appeared that he had been improving – he was excited and looking forward to working on a new record."

Click here for the full update on Jeff Hanneman

This Saturday, May 11th - Donate to Victims of Superstorm Sandy

Do you want to be part of a great cause for charity to help victims of Superstorm Sandy? Are you interested in winning a signed METALLICA guitar or drumhead? How about a signature SLAYER bass signed by the entire band, or maybe an ANTHRAX guitar? Well, now is your chance! Come to the ROCK N’ ROLL HEAVEN and the OLD BRIDGE METAL MILITIA Reunion Concert and Fundraiser and donate to the Superstorm Sandy charity fund by entering a raffle to win one of these rare, exceptional prizes! 

The ROCK N’ ROLL HEAVEN and the OLD BRIDGE METAL MILITIA Reunion Concert and Fundraiser now announces that there will be a special charity raffle at Saturday’s event, allowing fans the chance to win rare and exceptional, high-ticket autographed rock memorabilia, while giving to a great cause! Attendees must purchase a raffle ticket at the show and may purchase as many as they like to increase their chances of winning. See below for a full list of raffle items.

Reunion Concert and Fundraiser RAFFLE ITEMS:

• Autographed Metallica ESP Ltd. Guitar (signed by the entire band)

• Autographed Metallica Remo Drumhead (signed by the entire band)

• 1 ESP "TA-200" Tom Araya Custom Bass: Signed by Slayer (the entire band)

• Superstorm Sandy Survivor BC Rich Warlock Guitar signed by Twisted Sister, Anvil, Raven, The Rods, TT Quick and Lords of Mercy. This is a playable guitar that survived the storm - Donated by a Superstorm victim.

• 1 "MGT" Mark Gallagher Tele Signature Model: Signed by Raven

• 1"JG12" John Gallagher Limited Edition Signature Model 12 String bass: Signed by Raven

• 1 Jackson SLATXMG3-6 Soloist Donated Anthrax guitar - Bring it to the next Anthrax event and they will happily sign it!

• 1 Metal Literature Prize Pack: including “Louder Than Hell” Autographed by Authors Jon Wiederhorn and Katherine Turman. Also “The Merciless Book Of Metal Lists” by Authors  Howie Abrams & Sacha Jenkins.

The highly-anticipated ROCK N’ ROLL HEAVEN and the OLD BRIDGE METAL MILITIA Reunion Concert and Fundraiser to benefit the victims of Superstorm Sandy will take place this Saturday, May 11^th at Encore Event Center in Freehold, NJ (106 Schanck Rd). The line-up features headliners Twisted Sister, as well as Anvil, Raven, The Rods, TT Quick and NJ locals Lords of Mercy. All three personalities of VH1 Classic’s That Metal Show, including Eddie Trunk as Master of Ceremonies plus comedians Jim Florentine and Don Jamieson, will be at the Fundraiser making special appearances and adding their brand of Metal humor.  

Doors will open at 7:00pm and there will be a drinking section for those 21+. R N’ R HEAVEN and OBMM ask all attendees to bring canned goods or non-perishable food items for a food drive which Under My Skin For Life will distribute to benefit local area soup kitchens and shelters.

TICKETS ARE GOING FAST! GET YOURS NOW at TICKETMASTER and TICKETFLY

Advance Tickets are $30 // $35 Day of Show

This is an event to benefit the victims of Superstorm Sandy, which wreaked havoc on the east coast, destroying the Jersey Shore and the lives of its residents. Superstorm Sandy has left dozens dead and thousands homeless – making it the worst storm in the region’s history. This is a 100% non-profit event. 

If you can't make the show and are interested in making a donation please make checks payable to:

Under My Skin For Life

73 Memorial Parkway

Atlantic Highlands, NJ 07716

Under My Skin For Life is a 501C3 Charitable organization/ 100% of monies raised will be distributed directly to those in need.

Invite your friends, family and neighbors! All are welcome - Keep your kids in tow and enjoy Encore and ‘iPlay America’ - check it out at this link.

GIVE THE GIFT OF METAL MUSIC!

Slayer's Jeff Hanneman, May He Rest In Peace (1964 - 2013)

Slayer is devastated to inform that their bandmate and brother, Jeff Hanneman, passed away at about 11AM this morning near his Southern California home. 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.

Hanneman contracted a rare skin tissue disease just over two years ago, most likely from a spider bite.  This forced him to quit touring.  It is unknown at this time if this contributed to the liver failure which finally claimed his life.

Hanneman had a hand in crafting most of the group's best-known thrash anthems, including the songs "Raining Blood," "Angel of Death," "Seasons in the Abyss" and "South of Heaven".  They were all either written or co-written by Hanneman. "Raining Blood," off Slayer's  "Reign in Blood," stands as the band's biggest selling song with 205,000 sold to date.

At this time funeral arrangements are pending.