Talkin' Slayer tells the story of Slayer, the thrashiest of the Big Four thrash metal bands. After some introduction episodes, this weekly show recaps the history of the Los Angeles heavy metal institution, in chronological order: how the band happened, when things fell apart, how they put them back together, and what it all meant—no, MEANS. After Episode 9, Patreon supporters receive every weekly episode.
Talkin' Slayer is written, deeply researched, lightly edited, and mostly rehearsed, with some production value. Episodes start after :60-:90 of intro; no need to skip the first 20 minutes.
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ON & ON, SOUTH OF HEAVEN... Season 4, Episode 31 (#161, chapter 21)
Season 4 · Episode 31
Monday, October 12, 2026 • Duration 44:42
This is episode #161 of 55. We are deep in overtime. STILL.
This is your pal Ferris.
Today’s topic is SOUTH OF HEAVEN, the album and the time, plus a blood live show.
Next week, Patreon supporters get to hear about Slayer's definitive, most violent, criminally insane, legendary concert. Sign up for under $1 an episode at Patreon.com/SlayerBook.
DEEZ NOTEZ:
A SEED OF HORROR! The "South of Heaven" demo: JeffHanneman's instrumental 1985 demo that he sliced and diced into "South of Heaven" later. Available on the Soundtrack to the Apocalypse box set as “South Of Heaven (Early Version / Jeff Hanneman's Home Recording).” Also as heard on the Seeds of Horror demo compilation bootleg.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ozSxpqMYvc
Three of the best minutes of Slayer history caught on tape, even though there's no Slayer in it. A TV report that captures the chaos outside Slayer's 1988 LA show -- which, because of these events, would be their last hometown gig for 25 years. (Brownlee, Michael/Real TV. “ Fans Go Wild.” August 1988. Archived online as Posted 30 July 2011 by user gummybearcavity.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUjg3u-ljGc
I posted some of this before, elsewhere, I think. Enjoy a littletaste of the live chaos to come as the tour continues. 1989 BBC feature "BBC - Heavy Metal Heaven - Thrashed To Death • 1989" with four pro-shot clips: South of Heaven, Raining Blood, Silent Scream, and Mandatory Suicide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ts5uy7HORUA
Halestorm covering "Dissident Aggressor" live in Belguim,2013. Interviewed Lzzy and RJ when they were just kids, in the demo phase. Good band. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abr2mh56k1A
For the next year or so, every week, TALKIN' SLAYER subscribers will get a chapter or two of "Slayer 66 2/3: A Metal Band Biography... Or, How F*kin' Slayer Kicked Fkin' @ss," REBORN: The Updated, Revised& Massively Expanded 4th Edition
Talkin' Slayer Season IV presents the chronological history of Slayer, as seen / heard in the book.
The previous edition of the book ran around 350 pages. The new REBORN Edition runs 639. We added a lot. And you can hear it all here, one week at a time, piece by piece.
Mostly, in Season 4, what you will get every week or so is a chapter from the book... plus some cool bonus stuff, like original interviews with people you WILL want to hear from.
The book was updated after the reunion, massively expanded, thoroughly overhauled, and rewritten so it's easier to read — both in format and writing style. Check it out at...
Season 4, Episode 27 (#157): The First of the Gang to Bail... Dave Lombardo Leaves!, b/w Meet the New Guy, T.J. Scaglione
Monday, September 28, 2026 • Duration 24:28
This is episode #157 of 55. We are deep in overtime. STILL.
This is your pal Ferris.
Today’s topic is the ongoing affair of attrition that wasthe Reign in Blood tour. This week: Dave Lombardo is out, and T.J. Scaglione is in. Spoiler: It doesn’t last long.
Last week, in the shownotes, Patreon supporters got a link to all four Slayer drummers over the years, playing the “Angel of Death” double bass drum break. And they got another chapter about Reign & blood & the road.
This is week 7 or 8 covering Reign in Blood, depending on how you want to count my report from the concert this month, wherein the band played the entire album. There’s one more week to go. That’s for the Patreon/Slaytreon heads only, too.
DEEZ [SHOW]NOTES:
Slayer live in Cleveland, 1987. The video lists a differentdate, but the ad for the show says it was 3 February 1987. Unclear whether this unusual set list is the full set or just what was caught on video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_J9ZgykLXdw
He makes a couple incorrect suppositions about the band & their history & how they did a couple things in the studio. But, hey, nobody bats 1.000. He's still worth listening to. And he has my book now... so his extensive knowledge bank has been updated.
This is episode #158 of 55 Talkin' Slayer. We're running over a little bit. Free listeners miss more than half the content. To learn more about getting every single episode, including the bonus stuff, visit here. Packages start under $1 per episode.
Season 4, Episode 26 (#156): Linkisode... Live, Philly, the Troc, 1999
Season 4 · Episode 26
Monday, September 21, 2026 • Duration 02:08
Hey there, true believers & Slaytanic pals.
This is not a proper episode. This is another linkisode.
Today's content is not in the audio portion. It's in the link below.
Because I thought it was rad and I wanted to share with you.
This is the kind of thing Patreon supporters get more frequently.
That said, this week, members of the Patreon / Slaytreon also got another episode about the Reign in Blood tours, which forever altered the group's trajectory & chemistry. The episode also features links to all four Slayer drummers playing the "Angel of Death" drum break... and other cool links.
...as always, free listeners get an episode every OTHER week. Patreon supporters get one EVERY week, and then some.
For today's programme, click the link below.
Enjoy.
Gratitude.
— Your Pal Ferris
Slayer, live in Philly, at the Troc[adero], 1999. This is from the Diabolus tour, when Slayer was gloriously ripping up clubs again — as was the mighty Iron Maiden and many an other metal varsity band:
Season 4, Episode 23 (#153): Reign in Blood, Live in Full, in the Year 202666... Long Recap of the First Show of the Season
Season 4 · Episode 15
Monday, September 14, 2026 • Duration 56:59
This is episode #153 of 55. We are deep in overtime.
SLAYER IS BACK.
Your pal Ferris delivers a long recap of the band's first live concert of 2026...
...which included the classic thrash album Reign in Blood, in its entirety.
The episode opens with some notes on the Minneapolis/Shakopee openers, plus the Rocklahoma show too.
The blow-by-blow recap of Minneapolis starts around 23:00.
Patreon supporters have access to a series of posts about the show, including a 70-image photo gallery and more links. Learn more here.
Season 4, Episode 21 (#151): Reign in Blood, Week 3. Blood in America... The Tours Begin
Season 4 · Episode 21
Saturday, August 29, 2026 • Duration 19:41
Today's topic is Reign in Blood. In week 3 of many, learn about Blood in America, where the Reign in Blood tours begin. This is the beginning of the end, right here in 1986.
DEEZ NOTEZ: Material referenced in the week's episode...
Season 4, Episode 19 (no. 149): Reign in Blood, Part 1: Prelude, Enter Into the Realm of... Def Jam?!, and Rick Rubin Enters the Chat
Season 4 · Episode 19
Saturday, August 15, 2026 • Duration 38:41
Today's topic is Reign in Blood, Part 1 of many: Prelude to the album, plus Enter Into the Realm of Def Jam... Recently inducted Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Rick Rubin enters the chat!
Last week, Patreon supporters got two versions of reviews & analysis of the "Expanded" edition of From Hell I Rise, the debut release by the Kerry King band.
Slayer, Reign in Blood demo tape, round 1.JeffHanneman's bedroom tapes. Made with a drum machine. Back in the day, Chris Bade mailed me a TAPE of this. Youtube had NOT been fully stocked yet. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWVCJ47DMo0
Season 4, no. 16: Hell Worldwide... the Hell Awaits Tour (#146)
Season 4 · Episode 13
Saturday, August 1, 2026 • Duration 52:48
Today's topic is Hell Worldwide, the international campaign that was the Hell Awaits tour. This episode features my favorite moment from the book... and Slayer's career. All looks lost. And then...
Last week was good episode. But... after episode 9, only Patreon supporters get every weekly episode and bonus shows & content. Free listeners will only get an episode every OTHER week, and they'll miss half the story.
Decibel declared Slayer & Venom & Exodus' The UltimateRevenge roadshow the most metal tour of all time. Read about it here. From DecibelSpring 2017 special issue The Top 100 Metal Tours of All Time. By Greg Pratt, “Decibel Presents: That Tour Was Awesome: Ultimate Revenge Tour,Venom/Slayer/Exodus (1985).” Decibel online. 22 February 2017.
Season 4, Episode 14 (no. 144): Live Undead... the Shows, the Album, and the Art
Season 4 · Episode 14
Monday, July 20, 2026 • Duration 47:22
Today's topic is Live Undead... the shows around it, the album, and the cover art.
After episode 9, only Patreon supporters get every weekly episode and bonus shows & content. Free listeners will only get an episode every OTHER week, and they'll miss half the story.
Season 4, Episode 12: Slammin' to Slayer... Metal Enters the Pit (#142)
Season 4 · Episode 9
Monday, July 6, 2026 • Duration 37:19
Today's topic is primal crossover: Slammin' to Slayer... Metal Enters the Pit (Chapter 11). Metal and punk collide. Cuts, bruises, busted bones, and broken noses ensue. And, yeah, it's totally worth it.
After episode 9, only Patreon supporters get every weekly episode and bonus shows & content. Free listeners will only get an episode every OTHER week, and they'll miss half the story.
For the next year or so, every week, TALKIN' SLAYER subscribers will get a chapter or two of "Slayer 66 2/3: A Metal Band Biography... Or, How F*kin' Slayer Kicked Fkin' @ss," REBORN: The Updated, Revised& Massively Expanded 4th Edition
Talkin' Slayer Season IV presents the chronological history of Slayer, as seen / heard in the book.
The previous edition of the book ran around 350 pages. The new REBORN Edition runs 639. We added a lot. And you can hear it all here, one week at a time, piece by piece.
Mostly, in Season 4, what you will get every week or so is a chapter from the book... plus some cool bonus stuff, like original interviews with people you WILL want to hear from.
The book was updated after the reunion, massively expanded, thoroughly overhauled, and rewritten so it's easier to read — both in format and writing style. Check it out at...
For the next year or so, every week, TALKIN' SLAYER subscribers will get a chapter or two of "Slayer 66 2/3: A Metal Band Biography... Or, How F*kin' Slayer Kicked Fkin' @ss," REBORN: The Updated, Revised& Massively Expanded 4th Edition
Talkin' Slayer Season IV presents the chronological history of Slayer, as seen / heard in the book.
The previous edition of the book ran around 350 pages. The new REBORN Edition runs 639. We added a lot. And you can hear it all here, one week at a time, piece by piece.
Mostly, in Season 4, what you will get every week or so is a chapter from the book... plus some cool bonus stuff, like original interviews with people you WILL want to hear from.
The book was updated after the reunion, massively expanded, thoroughly overhauled, and rewritten so it's easier to read — both in format and writing style. Check it out at...
For the next year or so, every week, TALKIN' SLAYER subscribers will get a chapter or two of "Slayer 66 2/3: A Metal Band Biography... Or, How F*kin' Slayer Kicked Fkin' @ss," REBORN: The Updated, Revised& Massively Expanded 4th Edition
Talkin' Slayer Season IV presents the chronological history of Slayer, as seen / heard in the book.
The previous edition of the book ran around 350 pages. The new REBORN Edition runs 639. We added a lot. And you can hear it all here, one week at a time, piece by piece.
Mostly, in Season 4, what you will get every week or so is a chapter from the book... plus some cool bonus stuff, like original interviews with people you WILL want to hear from.
The book was updated after the reunion, massively expanded, thoroughly overhauled, and rewritten so it's easier to read — both in format and writing style. Check it out at...
For the next year or so, every week, TALKIN' SLAYER subscribers will get a chapter or two of "Slayer 66 2/3: A Metal Band Biography... Or, How F*kin' Slayer Kicked Fkin' @ss," REBORN: The Updated, Revised& Massively Expanded 4th Edition
Talkin' Slayer Season IV presents the chronological history of Slayer, as seen / heard in the book.
The previous edition of the book ran around 350 pages. The new REBORN Edition runs 639. We added a lot. And you can hear it all here, one week at a time, piece by piece.
Mostly, in Season 4, what you will get every week or so is a chapter from the book... plus some cool bonus stuff, like original interviews with people you WILL want to hear from.
The book was updated after the reunion, massively expanded, thoroughly overhauled, and rewritten so it's easier to read — both in format and writing style. Check it out at...
For the next year or so, every week, TALKIN' SLAYER subscribers will get a chapter or two of "Slayer 66 2/3: A Metal Band Biography... Or, How F*kin' Slayer Kicked Fkin' @ss," REBORN: The Updated, Revised& Massively Expanded 4th Edition
Talkin' Slayer Season IV presents the chronological history of Slayer, as seen / heard in the book.
The previous edition of the book ran around 350 pages. The new REBORN Edition runs 639. We added a lot. And you can hear it all here, one week at a time, piece by piece.
Mostly, in Season 4, what you will get every week or so is a chapter from the book... plus some cool bonus stuff, like original interviews with people you WILL want to hear from.
The book was updated after the reunion, massively expanded, thoroughly overhauled, and rewritten so it's easier to read — both in format and writing style. Check it out at...
For the next year or so, every week, TALKIN' SLAYER subscribers will get a chapter or two of "Slayer 66 2/3: A Metal Band Biography... Or, How F*kin' Slayer Kicked Fkin' @ss," REBORN: The Updated, Revised& Massively Expanded 4th Edition
Talkin' Slayer Season IV presents the chronological history of Slayer, as seen / heard in the book.
The previous edition of the book ran around 350 pages. The new REBORN Edition runs 639. We added a lot. And you can hear it all here, one week at a time, piece by piece.
You've never heard it like this before... unless you have the audiobook. The run time is 1.4 DAYS. That's a lot. It's available CHEAP at
Mostly, in Season 4, what you will get every week or so is a chapter from the book... plus some cool bonus stuff, like original interviews with people you WILL want to hear from.
The book was updated after the reunion, massively expanded, thoroughly overhauled, and rewritten so it's easier to read — both in format and writing style. Check it out at...
For the next year or so, every week, TALKIN' SLAYER subscribers will get a chapter or two of "Slayer 66 2/3: A Metal Band Biography... Or, How F*kin' Slayer Kicked Fkin' @ss," REBORN: The Updated, Revised& Massively Expanded 4th Edition
Talkin' Slayer Season IV presents the chronological history of Slayer, as seen / heard in the book.
The previous edition of the book ran around 350 pages. The new REBORN Edition runs 639. We added a lot. And you can hear it all here, one week at a time, piece by piece.
You've never heard it like this before... unless you have the audiobook. The run time is 1.4 DAYS. That's a lot. It's available CHEAP at
Mostly, in Season 4, what you will get every week or so is a chapter from the book... plus some cool bonus stuff, like original interviews with people you WILL want to hear from.
The book was updated after the reunion, massively expanded, thoroughly overhauled, and rewritten so it's easier to read — both in format and writing style. Check it out at...
For the next year or so, every week, TALKIN' SLAYER subscribers will get a chapter or two of "Slayer 66 2/3: A Metal Band Biography... Or, How F*kin' Slayer Kicked Fkin' @ss," REBORN: The Updated, Revised& Massively Expanded 4th Edition
Talkin' Slayer Season IV presents the chronological history of Slayer, as seen / heard in the book.
The previous edition of the book ran around 350 pages. The new REBORN Edition runs 639. We added a lot. And you can hear it all here, one week at a time, piece by piece.
You've never heard it like this before... unless you have the audiobook. The run time is 1.4 DAYS. That's a lot. It's available CHEAP at
Mostly, in Season 4, what you will get every week or so is a chapter from the book... plus some cool bonus stuff, like original interviews with people you WILL want to hear from.
The book was updated after the reunion, massively expanded, thoroughly overhauled, and rewritten so it's easier to read — both in format and writing style. Check it out at...
For the next year or so, every week, TALKIN' SLAYER subscribers will get a chapter or two of "Slayer 66 2/3: A Metal Band Biography... Or, How F*kin' Slayer Kicked Fkin' @ss," REBORN: The Updated, Revised& Massively Expanded 4th Edition
Talkin' Slayer Season IV presents the chronological history of Slayer, as seen / heard in the book.
The previous edition of the book ran around 350 pages. The new REBORN Edition runs 639. We added a lot. And you can hear it all here, one week at a time, piece by piece.
You've never heard it like this before... unless you have the audiobook. The run time is 1.4 DAYS. That's a lot. It's available CHEAP at
Mostly, in Season 4, what you will get every week or so is a chapter from the book... plus some cool bonus stuff, like original interviews with people you WILL want to hear from.
The book was updated after the reunion, massively expanded, thoroughly overhauled, and rewritten so it's easier to read — both in format and writing style. Check it out at...
