Interviews
Hell Ain't A Bad Place To Be: An Interview with Tom Araya of SLAYER
by Sean "The Lord of Death" Gibbons
In a perfect world, only Slayer would provide the entertainment.
Of course, there would be Mexican food without consequences, virgin
sluts, beer that costs nothing, and the time to pursue the
world-record bass (and kill it). Slayer is a quality product--kind of
like a damn good cigar or a good ol' fashioned Buck knife. They do
truly lie somewhere between heaven and hell.
The opportunity to interview Slayer arises. Felix calls me on
the horn saying: "Hey dude, would you like to interview Tom Araya?"
"Fuck yes!" I squeal, "When, when, when?" The time is set for the
following day at three--in less than twenty-four hours! I had never
interviewed anybody before. I only took the assignment to speak with
Tom. I have made a point to purchase all albums from the boys, on
their release dates, since 1985's Hell Awaits. I deserve to talk to
Tom Araya!
This is a great time for Slayer. They are on the bill for the
June/July Extreme Steel tour, playing on deck for Pantera, with Morbid
Angel, Static X and Staind rounding out the lineup. Pantera headlining
over Slayer? I do believe hell hath frozen over...big time! "Slayer
shall open for no band," quoth my personal bible. On the upside,
Slayer's latest chapter, God Hates Us All, is expected for delivery
August 28th. With tracks like "Disciple", "Cast Down", "God Send
Death", and "Darkness of Christ", there should be no doubt that this
album shall rip.
Felix's phone rings. My stomach drops. After some arrangements,
I am on the phone to Pennsylvania speaking with an articulate,
soft-spoken Mr. Araya.
Tom Araya: Hey Felix!
The Lord of Death: No, this is Sean--Felix's buddy.
T.A.: Felix's buddy? Alright, Sean. Nice to meet ya, Sean!
I thought Jesus, what a gentleman--considering he is solely the
Rolex of evil music.
T.L.O.D.: Great to meet you, too, Tom. By the way, I am very
fucking nervous--it's my first interview, and I do love and need my
Slayer.
T.A.: Cool!
T.L.O.D.: I bought Show No Mercy in '84 (I was 10). I saw a
pentagram on the cover and thought you might sound like Motley Crue.
T.A.: You thought we were glam?
T.L.O.D.: (Intimidated and scared) No! I loved it! "Evil Has No
Boundaries" sold me. I had found my new thing.
T.A.: Damn! (laughing) You know, that's the only singing Kerry
and Jeff had ever done. They sang the "Evil!" part.
T.L.O.D.: No shit.
T.A.: Yeah.
T.L.O.D.: Anyway, you're on the Extreme Steel tour with Pantera,
Morbid Angel and Static X. Tonight is your third show. How's it going
so far?
T.A.: Great. We're in Philadelphia tonight. So far the response
has been great.
T.L.O.D.: Are you and Pantera switching the headlining spot?
T.A.: Nah, Pantera is headlining.
T.L.O.D.: That sucks. You should headline, dammit!
T.A.: Nah, they're cool.
T.L.O.D.: Yeah, but they are no Slayer.
T.A.: We'll be out by ourselves pretty soon.
T.L.O.D.: Supporting God Hates Us All. Is that still going to be
the name of the new one?
T.A.: Yes, God Hates Us All is the title. It'll be out in
August. It'll be very Slayer.
T.L.O.D.: I heard that Rick Rubin wasn't producing this one. Is that true?
T.A.: Yeah, he's done all of the other records. he still has his
hands in the mix. He's still very involved. He still has...
T.L.O.D.: His beard?
T.A.: (chuckling) Oh yeah, he still has his beard. Actually,
Matt Hyde is producing this one.
T.L.O.D.: Is there a box set in Slayer's future?
T.A.: Yes. Maybe at the end of the year, or the beginning of the new year.
T.L.O.D.: Wow! Is it true that Dave Grohl and you are working on
a side project with King Diamond?
T.A.: No. Well, he and I have spoken about working on a few
songs. It's not carved in stone yet. Maybe we'll work something out.
But right now we are both really busy.
T.L.O.D.: No shit! Is Dave Grohl a metalhead?
T.A.: Oh yeah! A huge metalhead.
T.L.O.D.: Isn't Bryan Adams (Canadian singer) a Slayer fan?
T.A.: Well, he's a big metalhead. He has commented on the Reign
In Blood record. I met him at the Ozzfest and he is all into metal.
T.L.O.D.: What about this year's Ozzfest?
T.A.: It's okay.
T.L.O.D.: I don't think so.
T.A.: Really, why not?
T.L.O.D.: Every band there blows dog except for Sabbath--and
they keep promising to retire every year. I won't pay upwards of
seventy bucks for something like that.
T.A.: Hmmm.
T.L.O.D.: What's the weirdest object that has ever been tossed
up on stage at you?
T.A.: Snakes. Live snakes.
T.L.O.D.: What kind.
T.A.: I don't know. Little garden snakes, I think.
T.L.O.D.: What did you do with the snakes?
T.A.: We stepped on them!
T.L.O.D.: Where did that happen?
T.A.: Seattle. Seattle is always interesting.
T.L.O.D.: Cool. I'm a die-hard Seahawks fan. Don't tell Kerry or
Jeff, though (Raiders fans). What happened to Kerry's nail wristband?
T.A.: He still has it. Actually, there were two but the first
one was stolen in Poland.
T.L.O.D.: Is there a reward?
T.A.: No.
T.L.O.D.: What do you do before you play a show?
T.A.: Pick my nose.
T.L.O.D.: Do you eat it?
T.A.: No.
T.L.O.D.: Have you ever seen anyone in the band pick it and eat it?
T.L.O.D.: What about Jeff? He's a sick fucker.
T.A.: Nope.
T.L.O.D.: Are you telling me that in over fifteen years you've
never seen anyone pick their nose and eat it?
T.A.: Yeah, no.
T.L.O.D.: Okay Tom, last question. What's black and white and
sits atop the stairs?
T.A.: I don't know,what?
T.L.O.D.: Christopher Reeve after a house fire!
T.A.: Oh God!
T.L.O.D.: Well, thanks for your time, Mr. Araya. It has been an
honor to speak with you.
T.A.: Thanks, I appreciate it, Sean. Later.
Well there it is! We also spoke about world travel, guns, war
and kids. He has offspring, so do I. The world is in good hands.
This interview appeared in section M, Issue #22, September 2001. Isn't
that the best fucking Slayer interview you've ever read? Sure it is.
