Slayer couldn't handle anyone but Holt

Slayer have compared the addition of guitarist Gary Holt to AC/DC’s hiring of Brian Johnson.

The Exodus axeman has been a touring member since Jeff Hanneman took ill in 2011 and stayed on board after the co-founder’s death in 2013. He makes his first studio appearance with the band on their upcoming 11th album.

Mainman Kerry King tells Metal Hammer: “It’s one of the best fits in music history. It’s like Brian Johnson joining AC/DC – it’s a slam-dunk replacement, and you don’t get those very often.

“He was my first choice, and luckily I’ve been able to use my first choice since day one. Also, he’s from my own era. He’s been doing this for the exact same time that we have.”

Frontman Tom Araya believes the fact that Hanneman and Holt were friends made it easier on him. He says: “I thought I could handle that – but I couldn’t have handled anybody else.

“Gary was into it. He knew what was going on and he wanted to help in any way he could, so Gary made Slayer a comfortable place to be.”

Araya has also revealed that Hanneman’s death brought about a new level of communication in the band. The exclusive interview appears in the current edition of Metal Hammer, on sale now.

Stef wrote close to 5,000 stories during his time as assistant online news editor and later as online news editor between 2014-2016. An accomplished reporter and journalist, Stef has written extensively for a number of UK newspapers and also played bass with UK rock favourites Logan. His favourite bands are Pixies and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. Stef left the world of rock'n'roll news behind when he moved to his beloved Canada in 2016, but he started on his next 5000 stories in 2022.