An Open Letter To Slayerfans

[Vlekkie]

From the official Slayer site:
"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. "

http://www.slayer.net/us/news/open-lett ... ound-world

[ivan icheeanis]

i predicted back in early FEB this would happen
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=18706

jeff will be out for another year,you just don`t get over something like that quickly and then go out and put stress on it

[Hellrazor]

...and since Gary will be in Slayer again, Rick Hunolt will fill in for Gary in Exodus during their summer fesival run

Back on topic..I I saw Gary twice with Slayer and thought he did great.....Get well soon Jeff

[tom]

another year without seeing Slayer live...I'll save some cash

[pangy]

Maybe in the US will play,It's lazy to travel around the world.
I also very much looking forward to him,Kerry and Tom have in term CZ concert birthday and it can be a good party between concerts....
Well we'll see how it will be for the month???

[Woutjinho]

Hope he will get better as soon as it can gets.

[Slayer213]

It really made me sad, I really hope Jeff gets well soon, I don´t want the next Open Letter announcing the end of the band.

At least Gary does a great job replacing Jeff, watched him last June, great gig

[tom]

I think they should quit for now...Slayer without Jeff is a fucking joke

Gary Hold doesn't mean shit to me and I don't want to see my favorite band turn slowly into Exodus, Anthrax
or Metallica or any other bullshit band...Come on Jeff !! Stand up and play 'till death!!

[ivan icheeanis]

Slayer without Jeff is a fucking joke

i disagree (with the exception of the leads) slayer with gary sounds tight like what they used to in the 80`s and early 90`s before jeff started to get sloppy

i want jeff back in the band for sure!!!!,but slayer with gary is better than no slayer at all
if jeff remained as a studio member of the band and gary doing the live work i could live with that

[tom]

how about replacing King with Satriani...that would make Slayer super tight

[Slayer213]

if jeff remained as a studio member of the band and gary doing the live work i could live with that

Same here, bro

[slatanic]

Hope to see Jeff back on the stage as soon as he's ready! Still a chance he might be back for the North American dates this summer.

[Vlekkie]

Slayer without Jeff is a fucking joke

i disagree (with the exception of the leads) slayer with gary sounds tight like what they used to in the 80`s and early 90`s before jeff started to get sloppy

i want jeff back in the band for sure!!!!,but slayer with gary is better than no slayer at all
if jeff remained as a studio member of the band and gary doing the live work i could live with that

+1

Jeff was very happy that he survived this.
Much people didn't survive it, or LOST the arm...

Give it time guys. Jeff needs time and we Slayerfans should give him all the time that he needs to.

[slaytanic71]

wow that sux but glad he's improving slowly but surely..get well jeff!