It is not often that I continue to listen to bands that initially started me on this long winding road to metalness that has consumed my life. I started my path similar to other folks around my age and listened to the more mainstream stuff (Killswitch Engage, Shadows Fall, etc.) before my brain was fully covered in the filth that is underground death, thrash, and black metal. Throughout my years I have listened to countless bands and witnessed more shows than I can even remember (thank you alcohol!). As a result of these adventures my tastes in music have grown and changed many times over giving me so many different experiences that I am forever grateful for. There are, however, a few bands that started me on this journey and continue to guide me along, one of those is the almighty beast Slayer. These legends have been a shining light for metal since 1981 and have been in the spotlight since Show No Mercy shredded the collective assholes of listeners everywhere. And the reason I bring up this band that undoubtedly just about every person is aware of, metalhead or not, is because another legend of music has passed on, guitar great Jeff Hanneman. This mythical guitar hero succumbed to liver failure and the world of music will never be the same because of it. Hanneman was the writer of some of the greatest riffs and songs that the metal world has ever known and it is truly sad news that we will no longer hear any new music from this genius. The man helped put the thrash genre in the world’s collective ears and continued its legacy for new generations year after year. So today we pay tribute to a great musician, and from what I read, away from the stage a truly great man.
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