This past Saturday evening I managed to score access to Slayer’s performance at the San Diego Sports Arena. I wasn’t sure if all would work out as they were set to do a webcast of the same performance, but as it turned out, there was nothing to worry about. Billed as a co-headlining stint with shock rocker Marilyn Manson, Slayer were, believe it or not, the opening act. Needless to say I found this very disturbing to say the least, as did many of those in attendance. In my book the two don’t even belong on the same stage together, but I did get the distinct impression that this was more or less a money making ploy.

Being that I’m not a Manson fan I really don’t have much to say about him. His music is mediocre and definitely not anywhere near the true metal mastery that Slayer are. In addition, I just can’t seem to get past his cross-dressing gothic garb. Many of his fans in the audience looked the part as well, and to be honest, I couldn’t tell the boys from the girls in quite a few instances. The arena was hot and humid and the estimated 5000 people in attendance were exuding body heat like crazy, making the environment all the more putrid.

As the anticipation amid the crowd grew the familiar chants of SLAYER! SLAYER! filled the arena. When the curtain dropped the stage was so overwhelmed with fog it was nearly halfway through the first song before we could actually see any of the members. As luck would have it I forgot my earplugs and was exposed to the blistering sounds of Slayer in all their treacherous glory. The audience was intense and I had to keep peering over my shoulder for crowd surfers coming over the barricade. We were given two songs to shoot these guys and there was no time to waste. The lighting, like the fog, was also very overkill in some areas where it completely washed out the photos I took. It’s funny because usually I’m bitching about not enough light and this time it was way too much. Maybe one of these days they’ll get it right. That is, the lighting techs of course. It was extremely cool to see the guys play a large arena again and the stage was perfect. There was a large screen in the back center with projected images, and on either side of the stage hanging from the ceiling were what had to have been 20 Marshall cabs in the form of upside down crosses. This said Slayer through and through. One thing about these guys that I’ve always thought could be improved upon is their mobility. Whether they are on a small stage or, as in this case a massive one, they don’t really utilize their space. I think Kerry crossed the stage once during their way too short of a set. That being said, it is about the music and there is nothing quite like hearing “Raining Blood” or “South of Heaven” at such an ear-splitting level. The roar from the fans during these two gems was insidious. Pulling out a massive surprise was the inclusion of “Bitter Peace”. Personally I would have liked to heard “Bloodline”, or better yet “Skeletons of Society” in the set, but I would have traded half the songs they played to have heard “Seasons In The Abyss”. How the hell can they get away with not playing “Seasons”?

Bottom line, they needed more time, but I was extremely pleased to have heard what I did. Prior to the show I was back stage waiting to interview Tom, but by the time he showed up it was too late so I’m working on rescheduling the time. Hang in there all you diehard Slayer fans, I have a killer set of questions ready to go and we will get it done soon. After the show I headed backstage to see what was happening and was disappointed to find that there was no beer to be found anywhere. Only Kerry made an appearance that night so I spent time chatting with some of my friends and, oh yeah, I waved bye to Marilyn when he left. It was good to see him go.

-Priest