Last night (Friday June 3rd), Slayer played at Viña del Mar, Chile for the first time - the place where 50 years ago (on June 6th), Slayer frontman Tom Araya was born.
During an official ceremony, Tom Araya received the key to the city of Viña del Mar from mayor Virginia Reginato. This event marks Chile's first official recognition of the musician, who left the country when he was five years old and moved to the US with his family. Araya also reportedly celebrated his 50th birthday at Friday's concert with a birthday cake which he shared with the fans at the show. Read the complete story here(in Spanish).
In other news, Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo revealed in an interview with Geeks of Doom there are plans for a new studio album, although no material has yet been written. Tom Araya recently told Billboard that the group will not consider any recording projects without guitarist Jeff Hanneman, who is still recovering from his injury. Exodus guitarist Gary Holt is once again replacing Hanneman on the currently ongoing South American leg of the World Painted Blood tour.
