Slayer Returns to the Stage: A Farewell Comeback That Fans Are Divided Over
After a multi-leg farewell tour spanning 2018 and 2019, thrash metal icons Slayer officially declared the end of their multi-decade career—at least, that’s what everyone believed. But now, five years later and following a global pandemic, Slayer has put their “retirement” on hold, gearing up for a few headlining festival appearances across the United States. The announcement took many Slayer fans by surprise, although, in the world of hard rock and metal, this kind of “comeback after a farewell” has become a familiar phenomenon. Some fans are thrilled by Slayer’s return, eager to catch them live one more time. However, others are questioning the band’s motives, expressing skepticism and mixed emotions about what they see as a backtracking from Slayer’s firm “final” goodbye.
Despite Slayer’s reputation as one of the most influential and authentic voices in metal, some fans are struggling with the sense of betrayal that often accompanies a farewell tour that isn’t quite final. After all, Slayer’s farewell tour was heavily marketed as their last opportunity to see the band live, and fans who traveled far and wide to see those shows now feel the sincerity of that goodbye is questionable. For these fans, a farewell tour isn’t just about a concert; it’s a chance to celebrate a legacy, say goodbye, and savor the emotional impact of a last live performance. To backtrack on that promise feels, to some, like a purely financial move that commodifies what was meant to be a sentimental closure.
A Controversial Comeback or Just a Celebration?
Slayer founder and guitarist Kerry King has addressed these concerns directly, clarifying that the upcoming shows are not meant to signal a full return to recording or regular touring. Instead, he calls them one-off “celebration performances,” aimed at marking the five-year anniversary of their farewell tour and offering fans a “Hey, remember us from before the pandemic?” kind of moment. “It’s not going to translate into recording, and it’s not going to translate into touring,” King explained, underscoring that the band has no plans to return to a full-time schedule.
Despite these reassurances, some fans remain skeptical. King’s words, after all, are reminiscent of statements made by other bands who have declared “final” tours only to announce new music or extended tours years later. In the metal world, “never say never” is almost an unofficial mantra, and with good reason. Artists are driven by the powerful pull of the stage, and the allure of sharing their music with fans, along with the potential financial gains, often proves too strong to resist.
The Trend of Farewell Tours Followed by Reunions in Rock and Metal
Slayer is far from the only band to retire only to reunite a few years later. The cycle has almost become a rite of passage for iconic bands in the rock and metal scene. Over the past decade, major acts like Mötley Crüe, Ozzy Osbourne, Guns N’ Roses, and KISS have all proclaimed farewell tours, only to announce reunions and new performances down the line. The motivation behind these reunions varies, but one thing remains clear: the fan response is almost always a mix of excitement and disillusionment.
One of the most talked-about examples of a high-profile reunion after a farewell was Mötley Crüe’s “The Final Tour,” which took place in 2014 and 2015 and included a legally binding agreement to never tour again. Despite this, the band reunited in 2019 and announced a new tour with Def Leppard, Poison, and Joan Jett, much to the shock—and, in many cases, dismay—of fans. Similarly, Guns N’ Roses’ “Not in This Lifetime… Tour” came after a years-long period during which a reunion seemed all but impossible. However, by reconciling differences and reuniting original members Axl Rose, Slash, and Duff McKagan, the band enjoyed tremendous success and sold-out arenas around the globe.
This trend raises an important question: are these bands compromising their authenticity and legacy by coming out of retirement, or are they simply giving fans what they want? Some argue that these comebacks can tarnish a band’s image, making their initial farewell tour feel like a marketing ploy rather than a genuine goodbye. Others, however, see them as an inevitable part of the music business, especially in an industry where revenue from streaming often falls short, and live performances remain one of the most lucrative avenues for artists.
The Divide Among Fans: Financial Gain vs. Musical Integrity
For fans, the question of a reunion following a farewell tour isn’t just about the quality of the performance. It’s about the authenticity and integrity that they’ve come to expect from their favorite bands. Slayer fans, in particular, are known for their fierce loyalty and pride in the band’s uncompromising ethos. The announcement of their return has sparked a heated debate, with some welcoming the chance to see their favorite band live once more, while others express disappointment in what they view as a money-grab move.
This issue isn’t unique to Slayer. In the larger landscape of rock and metal, fans often feel betrayed by bands that go back on promises of a “final” tour. The farewell tour is often positioned as a send-off—a grand closing statement to a storied career that fans can witness, savor, and reminisce about. When that closure is undone by a reunion, even a brief one, it can feel like a breach of trust.
One Slayer fan, who attended their farewell tour in 2019, shared on social media, “I paid extra, traveled across states, and got emotional at what I thought was the last Slayer show I’d ever see. Now, they’re back, and it makes me feel like that experience was cheapened.” Other fans, however, are thrilled at the opportunity to see Slayer again, particularly given the impact of the pandemic on live music. For them, Slayer’s comeback feels like a triumphant return, a symbol of resilience in an era when the future of live performances was uncertain.
Will Slayer’s Return Impact Their Legacy?
The long-term impact of Slayer’s return on their legacy remains to be seen. If these shows are well-received, it could simply reinforce the band’s reputation as an unyielding force in the metal world. However, if these performances don’t meet fan expectations or if the band eventually extends this reunion into a full tour, it could potentially erode some of the respect they’ve earned over their career.
Critics argue that constant reunions and comebacks dilute a band’s artistic impact. The rock and metal scenes are especially concerned with legacy, and there’s a sense that too many comebacks can diminish the importance of a band’s final goodbye. This argument is particularly potent for Slayer, a band celebrated for its relentless authenticity and loyalty to its fans. If their reunion is perceived as a cash grab, it could be seen as inconsistent with the values that fans have come to associate with the band.
There’s also the matter of space in the music industry. Some critics note that by headlining major festivals, legacy bands like Slayer are occupying slots that could go to newer, younger metal bands who are still establishing themselves. While Slayer’s return might draw large crowds and generate significant revenue for festivals, it can also limit opportunities for up-and-coming talent to reach a wider audience and grow the genre.
Moving Forward: The Future of Reunion Tours in Metal
Regardless of how Slayer’s reunion is received, it’s clear that reunion tours and one-off shows after farewell tours are a trend that’s here to stay in rock and metal. Fans and critics alike will continue to debate the ethics and motivations behind these comebacks, but ultimately, the decision rests with the bands. For Slayer, their “celebration” shows represent a nod to the fans who have supported them throughout their career—a chance to relive the energy, passion, and raw intensity of their music one more time.
Whether Slayer will remain true to their promise of no further tours and no new music remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the impact of these shows will resonate deeply with their fans. Slayer’s return to the stage may indeed be a “remember us from before the pandemic” moment, as Kerry King described, but for fans, it’s a chance to rekindle the emotional connection that live music uniquely provides.
As metal and rock bands from the ’80s and ’90s continue to navigate retirement and comeback tours, it’s likely that more farewells and returns will follow. Slayer’s comeback offers a glimpse into how artists are finding ways to reconnect with fans in a post-pandemic world, reminding us that the pull of the stage—and the love of the fans—can sometimes be too strong to resist. For Slayer and their devoted fanbase, this reunion might be controversial, but it’s also a celebration of what made them legends in the first place.
