Episodes

  • Talkin' Slayer, Episode 85: The Great Hanneman Gear Grab, b/w This Is the End... Mostly. Plus What Comes Next.

    Talkin' Slayer, Episode 85: The Great Hanneman Gear Grab, b/w This Is the End... Mostly. Plus What Comes Next.
    Aug 4 2025
    Back. We are talkin' Slayer. This week's topic is the Great Hanneman Gear Grab: What happened to Jeff's guitar collection, mostly, and why, and how? Tune in.And unless you're a Patreon supporter, this is pretty much the end of Talkin' Slayer, Season 2: New Sh*t Has Come To Light. The episode wraps with some details on what's next in coming months.Plus a few words of gratitude and memoriam for friends past and present. Chris McMaster and Walter Novak RIP.DEEZ NOTES, as referenced in the show:Slayer's classic "War Ensemble" video, featuring Jeff's Punk Rock Jackson guitar. What I'd give for a full video of the show.Slayer's "Bloodline" video.Tween shredder phenomenon Maya Neelakantan tells how Kathryn Hanneman gave her one of Jeff's guitars.Broken Hope's "The Meek Shall Inherit Sh*t," one of the songs written & performed with Jeff Hanneman guitars, from the Mutilated and Assimilated album.Jeremy Wagner talks about the Jeff Hanneman Guitar Estate, plus his influence.Hanneman talks to an ESP video crew. You've seen this before. It bears repeating.Spotify: Me on the Booked on Rock podcast, with host and strong dude Erich Senich. It's a Slayer 101 talk, runtime 39:00.Apple: Me on the Booked on Rock podcast, with host and strong dude Erich Senich. It's a Slayer 101 talk, runtime 39:00.Me on the Bleachmouth Postscript podcast, talking about my top 5 Slayer songs, plus plenty of unrelated stuff, from research citations to Mad Magazine. Runtime about 2 hours.Larry's most metal band, Persistent Aggressor.The Walter Novak photo book.Joel McIver's Cliff Burton biography.ALSO, ALSO...Want to support the show and / or book? Here's three ways:Get it from a cool indie outlet like the Ajna Offensive, which specializes in metal, true crime, and occultism.⁠The new & improved & updated & embiggened book Ferris reads from every week, "Slayer 66 2 /3: A Metal Band Biography..., or, How Fkin' Slayer Kicked F*kin' @ss"⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — all four versions.Free listeners miss every other episode.Patreon supporters get an episode every week, plus more bonus Slaytanic content. Packages start at less than $1 an episode. Premiums include stickers, a shout-out on the show, and a free version of the audbiobook when it's finished.Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/SlayerBook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ .If you want to drop some ducats in the virtual tip jar... or you'd rather make a one-time payment for a VIP all-access pass, you can do it at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ko-fi.com/slayerbook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . You can order autographed books here, or pre-order the audiobook.GRATITUDE.
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    30 mins
  • Episode 83: Show Reports... Live From Quebec, but Mostly London

    Episode 83: Show Reports... Live From Quebec, but Mostly London
    Jul 21 2025

    This week's topic: We have set lists from the last few shows, with a detailed report from our dude in London, Kevin Gale. BANISHED FROM THIS DYING WORLD, THE LORD OF GALE AWAITS!! It's read by your pal Ferris, who provides some additional commentary.

    ALSO...

    Video: The entire London set: Not pro shot, sound muffled, but very up-close.

    Video: The entire London set: Worse sound, not as close, not bad tho.

    Video: Live in Quebec: "Die by the Sword" and "Hell Awaits." Sound isn't great; awesome nonetheless. And that stage show!

    Video: Playlist comp of all the Quebec clips that were available of this posting.

    ALSO, ALSO...

    The new & improved & updated & embiggened book Ferris reads from every week, "Slayer 66 2 /3: A Metal Band Biography..., or, How Fkin' Slayer Kicked F*kin' @ss"⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — all four versions.

    Free listeners miss every other episode.

    Patreon supporters get an episode every week, plus more bonus Slaytanic content. Packages start at less than $1 an episode. Premiums include stickers, a shout-out on the show, and a free version of the audbiobook when it's finished.

    Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/SlayerBook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ .

    If you want to drop some ducats in the virtual tip jar... or you'd rather make a one-time payment for a VIP all-access pass, you can do it at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ko-fi.com/slayerbook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ .

    GRATITUDE.
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    24 mins
  • Episode 66608 / 81.5: Mini-sode Recap of Slayer's First Live Show of 2025, Plus...

    Episode 66608 / 81.5: Mini-sode Recap of Slayer's First Live Show of 2025, Plus...
    Jul 4 2025

    SHORT SHARP SHOCK MINI-EPISODE

    Today's topics are 2) A recap of Slayer's righteous return to the stage 3 July 2025 in Cardiff, Wales... including the setlist. 1) Some speculation on what comes next. And 3) commentary on it all.

    DEEZ NOTES, as referenced in the show:

    One Slaytanic playlist of pretty much the entire Cardiff show, plus all other video available at the moment, including alternate angles and takes:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udwtTElHXPM&list=PLAnZUI4s4LrJHDgS-7EObx_eikCoGeIOu


    Episode 61 of Talkin' Slayer, in which I recapped the band's first reunion show, in Chicago, 2024.

    https://open.spotify.com/episode/2zz29hNdcHJGBytpiPscXv?si=1fbea994fd244fdf


    #Slayer #Cardiff #Wales #CardiffGiant #BackToTheBeginning #BlackSabbath #Sabbath #Slayer2025



    ⁠⁠⁠⁠The new & improved & updated & embiggened book Ferris reads from every week, "Slayer 66 2 /3: A Metal Band Biography..., or, How Fkin' Slayer Kicked F*kin' @ss"⁠⁠⁠⁠ — all four versions.


    Free listeners miss every other episode.


    Patreon supporters get an episode every week, plus more bonus Slaytanic content. Packages start at less than $1 an episode. Premiums include stickers, a shout-out on the show, and a free version of the audbiobook when it's finished.


    Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/SlayerBook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ .


    If you want to drop some ducats in the virtual tip jar... or you'd rather make a one-time payment for a VIP all-access pass, you can do it at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ko-fi.com/slayerbook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ .


    GRATITUDE.
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    12 mins
  • Episode 81: Talkin’ the Big Four Bands... Advanced Thrash Metrics and Career Comparisons & the First Concerts

    Episode 81: Talkin’ the Big Four Bands... Advanced Thrash Metrics and Career Comparisons & the First Concerts
    Jun 23 2025
    LAST WEEK, Patreon supporters got a super long chapter about the era around World Painted Blood, the final album with musical mastermind Jeff Hanneman.THIS WEEK'S TOPIC is the Big Four American Thrash Metal Bands. You’re getting two chapters about the boys... ALL the boys. The rivals. The allies. The frenemies. All of the above. United and strong. Mostly. Press play and hear the new & improved versions of chapters 43 and 44 from the MONSTORIOUSLY EMBIGGENED unofficial band biography, "Slayer 66 2/3: A Metal Band Biography... or, How F*kin' Slayer Kicked F*kin' @ss," by your pal and host, D.X. Ferris.Can you truly compare the careers of Metalica, Slayer, Megadeth, and Anthrax? Yes, you can. And we do. Get ready for metrics, advanced SLAYERMETRICS — it's a thing — superlatives, statistics, facts, hallmarks, career highs, questionable lows, and other dubious distinctions. It all ends with the Big Four Bands on the same stage, at the same time, playing the same song… sorta.And, yes, we get into whether the term "Big Four" is appropriate.DEEZ NOTEZ:...are from the endnotes in the book. The ebook features these sources as live links. It's better than TV... if anything can be better than TV, that is.VIDEO: “Paul Bostaph Slayer with Phil Demmel.” Video of band performing “Hell Awaits” with very temporary fill-in guitarist Phil Demmel, in late 2018. The video is one steady shot from behind Holt’s drum kit. No vocals are audible. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B34krQvPv_QVIDEO: “Metallica 11/09/86 Anaheim CA @ Jezebels Full Concert.” Video of Metallica’s first show with Jason Newsted. Video quality is bad; the performance is breathtaking. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKd13jVxPrY&t=3278sVIDEO: Soundwave TV. “Slayer Interview: Soundwave TV 2011.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJRXU1gUqsYREADIN': “Readers’ Poll: The Top 10 Metal Bands of All Time.” Rolling Stone, 2 November 2011. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/readers-poll-the-top-10-metal-bands-of-all-time-13744/READIN': Singer, Quentin Thane. “The 38 Greatest Heavy Metal Bands.” Forbes. 28 September 2024. Online: https://www.forbes.com/sites/entertainment/article/metal-bands/READIN': “Top 50 Metal Bands of All Time.” Loudwire staff. 20 July 2016: https://loudwire.com/top-metal-bands-of-all-time/VIDEO: “Slayer at Sonisphere in Poland.” Posted 18 June 2010, by user NMETV. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-xieeESxTIVIDEO: “James Hetfield with Slayer.” Jeff patiently tolerates Jaymz. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z50PVHIM00EVIDEO: The Big Four — barely — jam together, playing "Am I Evil?" at Sofia, Bulgaria. The gave Dave Lombardo a drum. A drum. Barely. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__j5Z_WcVgENOT UNRELATED:Co-ed UK blackened thrash crüe Chupacabra, the 2023 Fortified With Ashes EP. Featuring Talkin' Slayer Riffmaster General SAVAGE Nige Savage⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠The new & improved & updated & embiggened book Ferris reads from every week, "Slayer 66 2 /3: A Metal Band Biography..., or, How Fkin' Slayer Kicked F*kin' @ss"⁠⁠⁠ — all four versions.If you want to buy an autographed copy of the new 4th edition of the book, reach out: ⁠⁠⁠⁠slayerbook@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ .Free listeners miss every other episode.Patreon supporters get an episode every week, plus more bonus Slaytanic content. Packages start at less than $1 an episode. Premiums include stickers, a shout-out on the show, and a free version of the audbiobook when it's finished.Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/SlayerBook⁠⁠⁠⁠ .If you want to drop some ducats in the virtual tip jar... or you'd rather make a one-time payment for a VIP all-access pass, you can do it at ⁠⁠⁠⁠ko-fi.com/slayerbook⁠⁠⁠⁠ .GRATITUDE.
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    50 mins
  • Talkin' Slayer, Episode 79: Christ Illusion and Its Wake... Half of Chapters 40 and 41

    Talkin' Slayer, Episode 79: Christ Illusion and Its Wake... Half of Chapters 40 and 41
    Jun 9 2025
    Today's topic is Christ Illusion, the 2006 reunion album by Slayer's classic lineup. And when it's over, I drop some flowers for the late, great Sacha Jenkins.DEEZ NOTESShownotes... things referenced in the show... mostly:Audio: From Christ Illusion: “Black Serenade,” original version.Audio: “Black Serenade,” take 2.Video: Slayer's Grammy-Winning "Eyes of the Insane"Audio: Slayer's Grammy-winning "Final Six"Video: Slayer live at Hammersmith, 2008. HD, up close & personal.Video: Ill Bill, “U.B.S. (Unauthorized Biography of Slayer).” THE BEST RAP SONG ABOUT SLAYER, PERIOD. (Not that there are many.)Video: Ill Bill's "Paul Baloff"Video: Tom Araya’s Grammy acceptance and discussion.Video: Jeff comments on the Grammy win.Podcast: From last year: my long, conversational review / analysis of Kerry King's debut album, From Hell I Rise.Official video: KK's "Toxic"Official video: KK's "Where I Reign"Official Video: KK talks about From Hell I RiseStuff you should have: Sacha Jenkins jammies at AmazonVideo: Jenkins talks Wu-Tang doc & more with SwayVideo: Open Mike Eagle's tribute to JenkinsVideo: The White Mandingos, Jenkins' rockin' rap band that features Darryl Jennifer of [the] Bad BrainsVideo: The trailer for Jenkins & Howie Abrams' Merciless Book of Metal ListsVideo: Brian Slagel reads from the Merciless BookVideo: Gary Holt testifies about the Merciless book⁠⁠Co-ed UK blackened thrash crüe Chupacabra, the 2023 Fortified With Ashes EP. Featuring Talkin' Slayer Riffmaster General SAVAGE Nige Savage⁠.⁠⁠The new & improved & updated & embiggened book Ferris reads from every week, "Slayer 66 2 /3: A Metal Band Biography..., or, How Fkin' Slayer Kicked F*kin' @ss"⁠⁠ — all four versions.If you want to buy an autographed copy of the new 4th edition of the book, reach out: ⁠⁠⁠slayerbook@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠ .Free listeners miss every other episode.Patreon supporters get an episode every week, plus more bonus Slaytanic content. Packages start at less than $1 an episode. Premiums include stickers, a shout-out on the show, and a free version of the audbiobook when it's finished.Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/SlayerBook⁠⁠⁠ .If you want to drop some ducats in the virtual tip jar... or you'd rather make a one-time payment for a VIP all-access pass, you can do it at ⁠⁠⁠ko-fi.com/slayerbook⁠⁠⁠ .GRATITUDE.
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    45 mins
  • Bonus Episode: The International Day of Slayer Origin Story, Plus the Most Infamous Show

    Bonus Episode: The International Day of Slayer Origin Story, Plus the Most Infamous Show
    Jun 6 2025

    Talkin' Slayer, Episode 78.5.

    JUNE 6 IS THE INTERNATIONAL DAY SLAYER.

    And it's Tom Araya's birthday. Happy birthday, Tom! Tom, of course, has the most metal birthdate: 6/6/61.

    To commemorate, enjoy these rerun chapters about...

    1) The origins of this most momentous holiday. And...

    2) Slayer's most infamous show. Manic fans tore up part of the Madison Square Garden complex, then known as the Felt Forum. They couldn't play the city's biggest venue for years afterward.

    As an emerging major-label band, Slayer invoked a true mania. What was Slayer capable of at the height of their powers? Get a taste of what separated the group from the rest of the pack.

    An angry Tom Araya onstage is a thing of wonder. The new version of the book has an index entry devoted to it.

    This episode includes some preliminary content about Rubinology, the study of Rick Rubin & his work.

    VIDEO: Slayer, live in NYC, at the Felt Forum, 1988.

    The world's most dangerous band was in the great city in the world, and they weren't playing for Letterman.

    Come back Monday for a long, updated episode about Christ Illusion, the classic lineup's reunion album.

    GRATITUDE.


    ...click below for...

    ⁠⁠The new & improved & updated & embiggened book Ferris reads from every week, "Slayer 66 2 /3: A Metal Band Biography..., or, How Fkin' Slayer Kicked F*kin' @ss"⁠⁠ — all four versions.

    If you want to buy an autographed copy of the new 4th edition of the book, reach out: ⁠⁠⁠slayerbook@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠ .

    Free listeners miss every other episode.

    Patreon supporters get an episode every week, plus more bonus Slaytanic content. Packages start at less than $1 an episode. Premiums include stickers, a shout-out on the show, and a free version of the audbiobook when it's finished.

    Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/SlayerBook⁠⁠⁠ .

    If you want to drop some ducats in the virtual tip jar... or you'd rather make a one-time payment for a VIP all-access pass, you can do it at ⁠⁠⁠ko-fi.com/slayerbook⁠⁠⁠ .

    MO' GRATITUDE.
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    22 mins
  • Episode 77, The New Chapter 66: Talkin' the Kerry King Band, Again, More... Part 1

    Episode 77, The New Chapter 66: Talkin' the Kerry King Band, Again, More... Part 1
    May 26 2025

    Episode 77, The New Chapter 66: Talkin' the Kerry King Band, Again, More... Part 1

    As referenced in the show... or not...

    UNBOXING VIDEO: Your pal Ferris unboxes the new edition of the book and tells you all about it for 26 minutes.

    Episode 57: A long report from the summer 2024 Kerry King-Mastodon concert

    Episode 64: A much shorter report from the January 2025 Kerry King headlining show

    The Kerry King band's live debut, from Reggie's in Chicago, 7 May 2024

    Janky sound: Kerry King LIVE @ UNSW Roundhouse, Sydney (FULL SET), 3 Dec 2024

    Co-ed UK blackened thrash crüe Chupacabra, the 2023 Fortified With Ashes EP. Featuring Talkin' Slayer Riffmaster General SAVAGE Nige Savage.

    ⁠The new & improved & updated & embiggened book Ferris reads from every week, "Slayer 66 2 /3: A Metal Band Biography..., or, How Fkin' Slayer Kicked F*kin' @ss"⁠ — all four versions.

    If you want to buy an autographed copy of the new 4th edition of the book, reach out: ⁠⁠slayerbook@gmail.com⁠⁠ .

    Free listeners miss every other episode.

    Patreon supporters get an episode every week, plus more bonus Slaytanic content. Packages start at less than $1 an episode. Premiums include stickers, a shout-out on the show, and a free version of the audbiobook when it's finished.

    Learn more at ⁠⁠Patreon.com/SlayerBook⁠⁠ .

    If you want to drop some ducats in the virtual tip jar... or you'd rather make a one-time payment for a VIP all-access pass, you can do it at ⁠⁠ko-fi.com/slayerbook⁠⁠ .

    GRATITUDE.
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    26 mins
  • Episode 75: Talkin' Divine Intervention a Little, Talkin' Undisputed More, Talkin' Diabolus, Talkin' Hell Again

    Episode 75: Talkin' Divine Intervention a Little, Talkin' Undisputed More, Talkin' Diabolus, Talkin' Hell Again
    May 12 2025

    Talkin' Divine Intervention a Little, Talkin' Undisputed More, Talkin' Diabolus, Talkin' Hell Again

    Links to things mentioned — or implied, or not mentioned — in the episode this week.

    Click below for...

    Kathryn Hanneman's Official Jeff Hanneman feed, featured a Slaytanic slew of reposts from fans worldwide on May 2.

    The new & improved & updated & embiggened book Ferris reads from every week, "Slayer 66 2 /3: A Metal Band Biography..., or, How Fkin' Slayer Kicked F*kin' @ss" — all four versions.

    LIVE 1995: Live Intrusion, Remastered. Mesa Amphitheatre. Mesa, Arizona. on March 12, 1995.

    LIVE 1996: One of my favorite live shows: 1996: At Respectable Cafe. Miami, Florida. 27 April 1996.

    LIVE 1998, including soundcheck: At Roy Wilkins Expo Hall. St. Paul, Minnesota. 22 August 1998.

    Import Undisputed track: Slayer covers Suicidal's "Memories of Tomorrow"

    Import Undisputed track: Slayer covers GBH's "Sick Boy"

    If you want to buy an autographed copy of the new 4th edition of the book, reach out: ⁠slayerbook@gmail.com⁠ .

    Free listeners miss every other episode.

    Patreon supporters get an episode every week, plus more bonus Slaytanic content. Packages start at less than $1 an episode. Premiums include stickers, a shout-out on the show, and a free version of the audbiobook when it's finished.

    Learn more at ⁠Patreon.com/SlayerBook⁠ .

    If you want to drop some ducats in the virtual tip jar... or you'd rather make a one-time payment for a VIP all-access pass, you can do it at ⁠ko-fi.com/slayerbook⁠ .

    GRATITUDE.
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    39 mins