Megadeth and Slayer, who last toured the U.S. together nineteen years ago on the “Clash of the Titans” extravaganza, have confirmed that they will each perform, start to finish, their 1990 releases – Slayer's world-wide, million-selling Seasons In The Abyss and Megadeth's Platinum Rust In Peace – on the upcoming Canadian and American Carnage Tours. The six-date Canadian Carnage kicks off July 23 in Quebec City, while the 19-city American Carnage dates begin August 11 in Glens Falls, NY (complete itinerary is below). With Slayer and Megadeth co-headlining, Testament will be Special Guest on all dates.
Tickets purchased for the Canadian and American Carnage shows when they first went on sale late last year will be honored for these rescheduled dates. Complete information regarding ticket sales can be found at www.slayer.net . www.megadeth.com . www.testamentlegiions.com
1990 was one stellar year for fans of intense heavy metal, as both Rust in Peace and Seasons in the Abyss and are considered to be among the genres all-time classics. War Ensemble, Holy Wars…The Punishment Due, Dead Skin Mask, Hangar 18, Seasons in the Abyss – the preeminent list of metal standards that these two albums spawned has rarely been matched by others.
Slayer – guitarists Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman, bassist/vocalist Tom Araya, and drummer Dave Lombardo – scored a major breakthrough upon the original release of Seasons in the Abyss (Slayers fifth studio album overall), as it was the groups first album to hit the US Top 40, and saw Slayer playing to the biggest crowds of their career with 91's Clash of the Titans tour.
Megadeth's fourth album, Rust In Peace saw the band cement their status as one of the most important metal bands with masterpieces like “Hanger 18” and “Holy Wars…The Punishment Due,” as well as a top 25 debut on the Billboard charts. The album has been hailed as one of the greatest heavy metal albums of all time with IGN recently naming it one of the most influential metal albums ever. Megadeth is now rejoined by original bassist Dave Ellefson and are firing on all cylinders.
The American Carnage Tour, originally scheduled to take place in January and February, had to be postponed due to Slayer's vocalist/bassist, Tom Araya's treatment for severe back pain, an occupational hazard for the rocker who is known for aggressively swinging his long mane of hair while performing. A surgical procedure in January corrected the problem once and for all, and he felt better almost immediately.
“Right after the surgery, ” said Araya, “I could tell that the issue was fixed. There's no more pain, it just feels really good. I'm really excited and I'm anxious to get together with the rest of the guys and start rehearsing again. We cancelled two tours, and I don't feel great about that, but I couldn't deal with the pain anymore, and that's now completely gone. I know the fans are excited to see the band – the tour is on, we're keeping our word, there will be no more cancellations.”
Added Alex Skolnick, “It's hard to believe that we actually toured together twenty years ago. With everyone just a little bit older and wiser, I believe this time around will be even more fun. It's great that these three bands, Slayer, Megadeth and Testament, are not only still going strong, but sounding better than ever. I'm really looking forward to American Carnage as I'm sure all the fans are.”
Visit Metal Centre's TOUR DATES section for a list of dates and cities.