Slayer Release Statement Updating the Health Status of Jeff Hanneman

Posted on May 1st 2012 1:15PM by Carlos Ramirez Comments

Mark Seliger

Slayer just released a letter to their fans updating them on the health status of guitarist Jeff Hanneman. In early 2011, the 48-year-old contracted necrotizing fasciitis -- a rare infection that attacks the skin and tissue -- after being bit by a spider. Exodus guitarist Gary Holt has been filling in for Hanneman since, performing with Slayer at various events, including last year's Big 4 shows in California and New York.

Read Slayer's entire letter below.

"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."

Watch Slayer's Peformance of "Mandatory Suicide" at Sessions

Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival tour dates:

Jun 30 San Manuel Amphitheater San Bernardino, CA
Jul 01 Shoreline Amphitheatre Mountain View, CA
Jul 03 White River Amphitheatre Auburn, WA
Jul 04 TBD Boise, ID
Jul 06 Ashley Furniture HomeStore Pavilion Phoenix, AZ
Jul 07 Hard Rock Pavilion Albuquerque, NM
Jul 08 Comfort Dental Amphitheatre Englewood, CO
Jul 10 Gexa Energy Pavilion Dallas, TX
Jul 11 The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Spring, TX
Jul 13 1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre At the Florida State Fairgrounds Tampa, FL
Jul 14 Aaron's Amphitheatre at Lakewood Atlanta, GA
Jul 15 Klipsch Music Center Noblesville, IN
Jul 18 TBD Oklahoma City, OK
Jul 20 Verizon Wireless Amphitheater Maryland Heights, MO
Jul 21 First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre Tinley Park, IL
Jul 22 DTE Energy Music Theatre Clarkston, MI
Jul 24 Riverbend Music Center Cincinnati, OH
Jul 25 Blossom Music Center Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Jul 27 Susquehanna Bank Center Camden, NJ
Jul 28 First Niagara Pavilion Burgettstown, PA
Jul 29 Jiffy Lube Live Bristow, VA
Jul 31 Saratoga Performing Arts Center Saratoga Springs, NY
Aug 01 Darien Lake Performing Arts Center Darien Center, NY
Aug 03 Comcast Center Mansfield, MA
Aug 04 Toyota Pavilion At Montage Mountain Moosic, PA
Aug 05 Comcast Theatre Hartford, CT

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