It's Raining "Raining Blood" Guitarists

[shotglass75]

http://www.billboard.com/articles/ne...CDKfclfVDMO.01

Slayer guitarist and founding member Jeff Hanneman died earlier today of liver failure. He was 49.

The band's longtime publicist issued the following statement today:

"Slayer is devastated to inform that their bandmate and brother, Jeff Hanneman, passed away at about 11AM this morning near his Southern California home. He was 49. 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 co-founded the thrash metal greats with Kerry King in 1981; their breakthrough came in 1986 with the landmark album "Reign in Blood." Hanneman wrote or co-wrote the set's standout tracks, "Angel of Death" and "Raining Blood."

[kronz420]

That really sucks. RIP

[algunz]

What's with the scar on his right arm?

[shotglass75]

What's with the scar on his right arm?

Does it really matter now?

[stinkbutt]

OMG NO!!!

Re right arm: He got bit by a spider and got a flesh eating disease. I imagine that had a part in this

[xanman86]

Damn. RIP.


Going to play some Raining Blood on GH3 today in honor.

[algunz]

OMG NO!!!

Re right arm: He got bit by a spider and got a flesh eating disease. I imagine that had a part in this

Holy shit. That's horrible.

[xanman86]

Re right arm: He got bit by a spider and got a flesh eating disease. I imagine that had a part in this

That is pretty nuts

[Tubesock Shakur]

Good Night sweet angel of death.

[Neighborhood Creep]

Bummer. Dude slayed. Has he played up until just recently too? I haven't followed them in years.

[nathanfairchild]

he sat out of their tour last summer.

[footixy]

Fucking shit man! =\

RIP Jeff

[Neighborhood Creep]

he sat out of their tour last summer.

Fuck. Thanks. It's been a few years since I've seen them. I got 6 good shows out of him though.

[Neighborhood Creep]

OMG NO!!!

Re right arm: He got bit by a spider and got a flesh eating disease. I imagine that had a part in this

I looked up RIP Jeff Hanneman on Google Images and this showed up.

[Alchemy]

Damn. I was just thinking about Slayer the past couple of days.

[shotglass75]

posted on Slayers website yesterday

Slayer fans everywhere - it's time to let you know what is going on with our brother Jeff Hanneman.

As you know, Jeff was bitten by a spider more than a year ago, but what you may not have known was that for a couple of days after he went to the ER, things were touch-and-go. There was talk that he might have to have his arm amputated, and we didn't know if he was going to pull through at all. He was in a medically-induced coma for a few days and had several operations to remove the dead and dying tissue from his arm. So, understand, he was in really, really bad shape. It's been about a year since he got out of the hospital, and since then, he had to learn to walk again, he's had several painful skin grafts, he's been in rehab doing exercises to regain the strength in his arm; but best of all, he's been playing guitar. We were all excited when he joined us onstage for the encore a year ago at The Big Four show at Coachella. Since then, we've given him all the time and support he's needed to continue his rehab so he can come back to the band fully recovered and able to deliver the kind of shows we all want him to. While Jeff's been doing some writing and has been coming to rehearsal over the past several weeks, he has decided he needs to take more time to continue his rehab. While we want him back onstage with the band, all of us support his decision. So, we're very grateful that Gary Holt will continue to fill in for Jeff, and will tour with us until Jeff completes his rehab and is ready to return. How long will that be? The best and most honest answer we can give you is 'as long as it takes.' We also wanted you to know that we've been doing some writing and recording for the next Slayer album - we've tracked a few songs, and will finish the album when we're off the road later this year. Gary will join us on tour in Europe and the UK in May and June, and then we'll all see you on this Summer's Mayhem Festival.

[Pea]

I worshipped this dude as a young long haired metalhead. Those days are mostly behind me, but this still really fucking hurts. I hope he's jamming out with Dimebag somewhere right now...

[unit300021]

I'm not the biggest fan of Thrash Metal or Slayer but damn this makes me sad.

[Mugwog]

I looked up RIP Jeff Hanneman on Google Images and this showed up.

Hahahaha

[gaypalmsprings]

This really sucks. Slayer slayed it at The Big Four. That was his last public performance. R.I.P.

[algunz]

As you know, Jeff was bitten by a spider more than a year ago, but what you may not have known was that for a couple of days after he went to the ER, things were touch-and-go. There was talk that he might have to have his arm amputated, and we didn't know if he was going to pull through at all. He was in a medically-induced coma for a few days and had several operations to remove the dead and dying tissue from his arm.

Now I remember this.

[algunz]

I love how they call it "at Coachella." It's no longer Empire now.

[marooko]

I looked up RIP Jeff Hanneman on Google Images and this showed up.

Gotta love the interwebs.

And I've just recently been getting in to Slayer, barely starting to kick myself for not being a fan when they were in.

[Douchey.McDouche.Douche.]

wow this is a big blow to the metal community. it really bums me out to read up on all the comments other musicians have been posting about jeff hanneman. i've listened to slayer since i was 11, and they were one of the bands to play at the first metal concert i attended, other bands that played that night were pantera, static x, and morbid angel. i wonder if slayer will continue on without him, since he's pretty much responsible for 80% of their work.

[nathanfairchild]

They've been performing without him for a little over 2 years now. I'd be surprised if they broke up. As far as new material goes, that's hard to say. It'd be weird to hear new Slayer without his guitar work.