Slayer
Slayer may be officially calling it quits with their “Final World Tour” but they clearly have no plans to go quietly. The last date of the second leg of their North American tour wrapped up at San Jose’s SAP Arena and folks came from near and far to make sure they were part of what could (but hopefully won’t) be their last performance on US soil.
While not officially sold out, the arena was packed to the rafters and the diehards lined up early to get a close-up spot on the floor as Napalm Death kicked things off. In spite of the obscenely early start time of 5 pm, Napalm Death whipped the room into a spinning fury that only grew over the course of Testament’s, Anthrax’s, and Lamb of God’s sets, all three of which were at the top of their respective games after months on the road with Slayer.
Slayer
When Slayer’s set time finally arrived, the entire arena was on its feet as “Delusions of Savior” blasted over the PA as the band strode onto the stage and fire erupted behind a black curtain. And then the curtain dropped and chaos ensued.
Security scrambled as the floor spun out of control to “Repentless,” barely able to keep up with the crowd surfers … a few slipping through the cracks only to hit the floor hard enough to be heard over the din of Slayer’s “Disciple.” No harm, no foul. A few lumps are not unexpected at a Slayer show and they quickly dusted off and sprinted out to rejoin the pit.
There weren’t any surprises on the setlist with Slayer sticking to the tried and true. Hitting the favorites from their storied career with a tightness and frenzy that showed no sign of cracking after already several months on the road.
While the band is off to Europe in November, there is already a promise that the tour will extend into 2019 with a June Hellfest headliner announced in the hours after the San Jose show wrapped. Let’s just hope that Slayer gives us a long goodbye because clearly the fans aren’t quite ready.
SLAYER
Slayer
Slayer
Slayer
Slayer
Slayer
Slayer
Slayer
Slayer
Slayer
Slayer
Slayer
Slayer
Slayer
LAMB OF GOD
Lamb of God
Lamb of God
Lamb of God
Lamb of God
Lamb of God
Lamb of God
Lamb of God
Lamb of God
Lamb of God
Lamb of God
ANTHRAX
Anthrax
Anthrax
Anthrax
Anthrax
Anthrax
Anthrax
Anthrax
Anthrax
Anthrax
Anthrax
Anthrax
Anthrax
TESTAMENT
Testament
Testament
Testament
Testament
Testament
Testament
Testament
Testament
Testament
Testament
NAPALM DEATH
Napalm Death
Napalm Death
Napalm Death
Napalm Death
Napalm Death
Napalm Death
Napalm Death
Napalm Death
SLAYER SETLIST
Repentless
Blood Red
Disciple
Mandatory Suicide
Hate Worldwide
War Ensemble
Jihad
When the Stillness Comes
Postmortem
Black Magic
Payback
Seasons in the Abyss
Dittohead
Dead Skin Mask
Hell Awaits
South of Heaven
Raining Blood
Chemical Warfare
Angel of Death
