Slayer Play Their First Live Concert Since 2019, Footage & Setlist Available

Thrash metal legends Slayer returned to the stage tonight (September 22nd) for their first live show since winding down their career back in 2019. All signs had pointed to the esteemed member of the big four having previously hung it up with the conclusion of their farewell tour several years ago. However, the group shockingly announced in early 2024 that they would be reuniting for a trio of festival appearances this fall. Tonight’s set at this year’s ‘Riot Fest’ in Chicago, IL was the first of those shows.

With band co-founders Tom Araya (vocals/bass) and Kerry King (guitars) having maintained little of a personal relationship since shelving the band, questions regarding their motivations to return were immediate.

Araya‘s wife Sandra would go on to publicly state that she “harassed” Tom for over a year to get him to go back onstage with the band.

Tonight saw that aforementioned duo rejoined by Exodus, etc. guitarist Gary Holt and drummer Paul Bostaph, closing out the final date of annual ‘Riot Fest‘. According to those in attendance, the group performed the following setlist:

“South Of Heaven”
“Reborn”
“Blood Red”
“Postmortem”
“Repentless”
“Payback”
“Temptation”
“Jihad”
“Seasons In The Abyss”
“Born Of Fire”
“War Ensemble”
“Hate Worldwide”
“Disciple”
“Dead Skin Mask”
“Hell Awaits”
“213” (first time live since 1998)
“Mandatory Suicide”
“Raining Blood”

Slayer will also be back onstage this coming weekend as part of the September 27th date of the annual ‘Louder Than Life‘ festival in Louisville, KY. A headlining set at the October 10th opening date of this year’s ‘Aftershock‘ festival at Discovery Park in Sacramento, CA will follow.

These three concerts are likely not the end to the band’s live resurrection, as King has expressed his openness to further playing further live appearances down the road. That said full-fledged touring seems to be off the table going forward.