Episodes
Today's topic is the Seat Cushion Chaos Concert... how Slayer fans tore up the Felt Forum at Madison Square Garden. Last week, Patreon supporters heard an episode about the South of Heaven album — and how the tour kicked off in the band's hometown. It turned into small-scall riot, with some police brutality in the mix. This week, the mania hits the East Coast. Will one of modern entertainment's most storied venues survive?
Show Notes:
Watch the entire August 1988 Seat Cushion Chaos...
Published 09/18/23
Today's topic is Touring Blood Part 4 of 4... How Dave Returned / S.L.A.Y.E.R. VS. W.A.S.P. Three weeks ago, Patreon supporters learned about the simmering tension between drummer Dave Lombardo and the rest of the band. Two weeks ago, the first leg of the Reign in Blood concluded under a credible death threat. Last week, Patreon pals heard about how Dave quit and was replaced by Whiplash Drummer T.J. Scaglione. This week, TJ takes to the road with Slayer, makes a mark on their sound, and...
Published 09/04/23
Welcome to Talkin' Slayer: A Podcast and Half-@ssed Audiobook. Today's topic is Touring Blood, Part 2... the Reign in Blood tours continue. And they won't stop until...
Two weeks ago, you heard about the Reign in Blood record. Last week, Patreon supporters heard about the rocky kickoff of the Reign tour. Now Blood is on the road.
SHOW NOTES, and fun stuff:
Slayer & Megadeth thrash spotlight on MTV, 1986. Kerry appears in his "No Sleep Till Brooklyn" outfit....
Published 08/21/23
Today's topic is the Reign in Blood album... long story short. Three weeks in a row, it's the longest episode yet.
Last week, Patreon supporters heard about Slayer's triumphant first European tour. Next week, Slaytanic supporters will hear about the Reign in Blood tour. It wasn't a trainwreck, but it sure wasn't harmonious.
SHOW NOTES, as referenced on this week's episode...
Audio: Slayer live at "Lamorz," November 1985. This set changed...
Published 08/07/23
Hey, all. Welcome back to Talkin' Slayer. THIS is the biggest episode yet... AGAIN. Today's topic is Hell Awaits.
Supporters get an episode every week. Free listeners — that's you — get an episode every other week. And you'll miss next week's epic chapter about the triumphant Hell Awaits tours. Sign up at Patreon.com/SlayerBook. Or visit to see what's in it for you if you do.
Shownotes and links referenced in the episode:
Billoney's “Origins of the Slayer Hell Awaits LP...
Published 07/24/23
Hey, all. Welcome back to Talkin' Slayer. Only Patreon supporters get the full episode, and this is the biggest episode yet... but I still wanted to get you some of it. So today's topic is how Slayer commissioned & created the Live Undead cover art with the late, great artist Albert Cuellar. Supporters also get to hear the full nine: all about Live Undead, the band's first North American tour, their black-ice brush with death, and MAROUSHKA!
Here's the deal:
If you want to receive...
Published 07/17/23
Hey, all. Welcome back to Talkin' Slayer. Today's topic is Slammin' to Slayer... Metal Enters the Pit. We talk about how punk influenced metal, and how metal infuenced punk. This is the mosh part, friends. And it's a long one.
This week, Slayer gig with polarizing punk gods Suicidal Tendencies. And "Necrophiliac" inspires one fan -- then others -- to make the leap from stage diving to slamdancing.
Here's the deal:
If you want to receive every weekly episode, sign up...
Published 07/10/23
Hey, all. Welcome back to Talkin' Slayer. Today's topic is How To Not Miss Any Episodes of the Show, and What's in It for You If You Pitch In.
After episode #9, free listeners will receive basically every other episode of "Talkin' Slayer: A Metal Podcast and Half-Assed Audiobook." The show details the history and importance of your favorite Big Four thrash band.
Patreon supporters get a new episode every week. Right now, they're listening to an episode about the pivotal Haunting the Chapel...
Published 07/03/23
Welcome to Talkin' Slayer: A Podcast and Half-@ssed Audiobook. Today's topic is Megadeth — and Slayer guitarist Kerry King's brief role in it.
Metallica fire their star and lead guitarist, Dave Mustaine. Mustaine swears vengeance, forms Megadeth, and stages a vendetta. When the hottest guitarist in thrash needs another guitarist who can hang with him, the successful candidate is Slayer's Kerry King. For King, playing with his hero is a learning experience... and a brief one.
SHOW NOTES, as...
Published 06/24/23
Welcome to Talkin' Slayer: A Podcast and Half-@ssed Audiobook.
Today's topic is Slayer's debut album and their record deal. Slayer sign to Metal Blade, the eternal metal foundry that first brought Metallica to the world, and more recently melted your mind with Midnight. And they record their full-length debut, Show No Mercy — with help from polarizing Metal Blade CEO / Headbanger in Charge Brian Slagel, crossover production king Bill Metoyer, and burgeoning drum god Gene Hoglan. Other...
Published 06/19/23
Welcome to Talkin' Slayer: A Podcast and Half-@ssed Audiobook.
Today's topic is the earliest days of Slayer — and the $2.3 billion California highway construction project that helped incubate thrash metal. This double-wide episode has it all. Slayer write their first — and still unreleased — songs. (And we tell you where to find them.) Jeff and Tom go to the world's most expensive, longrunning metal rager. Dave and Tom meet their wives. The guys dress to impress in their "Scorpions phase."...
Published 06/12/23
Welcome to Talkin' Slayer: A Podcast and Half-@ssed Audiobook.
Today's topic is the individual founding members of Slayer. We profile them and tell you how they met. And we celebrate the International Day of Slayer, June 6.
After some introductory episodes, Talkin' Slayer tells the story of the Los Angeles heavy metal institution, in chronological order: how the band happened, when things fell apart, how they put them back together, and what it all meant — no, MEANS.
After Episode Nine,...
Published 06/05/23
Welcome to Talkin' Slayer: A Podcast and Half-@ssed Audiobook.
Today's topic is Slaytanic University... or maybe Slaytanic Community College. First, a theory of Slayer, which your movie-obsessed host connects to the movie Scarface. Then, second, highlights from the first Slaytanic Survey, which asked 100 fans about their favorite albums and songs.
This is the final introductory episode, the last tune from the opening act. Starting next week, every episode is a chapter — or two — in the...
Published 05/29/23
Welcome to Talkin' Slayer: A Podcast and Half-@ssed Audiobook. Spoilers in 3, 2...
Today's topic is Kerry King's audio appearance in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, how "No Sleep Till Brooklyn" happened, and Slayer's significance in the broader context of American culture.
Talkin' Slayer is the first podcast dedicated to Slayer, the thrashiest of the Big Four thrash metal bands.
After some introductory episodes, Talkin' Slayer tells the story of the Los Angeles heavy metal institution, in...
Published 05/22/23
Welcome to Talkin' Slayer: A Podcast and Half-@ssed Audiobook. This is Episode 03: Slaytanic Superlatives. Today's topic is Slaytanic Superlatives, how Slayer is the most _____ in metal.
Next week, we'll look at the group & metal's significance in a broader cultural context.
Talkin' Slayer is the first podcast dedicated to Slayer, the thrashiest of the Big Four thrash metal bands.
After some introductory episodes, Talkin' Slayer tells the story of the Los Angeles heavy metal...
Published 05/15/23
Welcome to Talkin' Slayer: A Podcast and Half-@ssed Audiobook. This is Episode 02: Jeff Hanneman: The Legend, the Myth, the Man. ps. Albert Cuellar RIP.
Talkin' Slayer is the first podcast dedicated to Slayer, the thrashiest of the Big Four thrash metal bands. Today's topic is the late, great Jeff Hanneman. Again. And we belatedly note the passing of Slayer album artist Albert Cuellar.
Hanneman passed away, very unexpectedly, ten years ago last week. On the previous episode, we talked about...
Published 05/08/23
Welcome to Talkin' Slayer: A Podcast and Half-@ssed Audiobook. This is Episode 01: Jeff Hanneman Made the Difference.
Talkin' Slayer is the first podcast dedicated to Slayer, the thrashiest of the Big Four thrash metal bands. Today's topic is the late, great Jeff Hanneman.
Hanneman passed away, very unexpectedly, ten years ago this week: May 2, 2013. Hanneman was Slayer's co-lead guitarist, its best lyricist, its second-best singer, probably its second-best percussionist, and — by all...
Published 05/01/23
Welcome to Talkin' Slayer: A Podcast and Half-@ssed Audiobook.
This is Episode 00, Part 2: Podcast Trailer Part 2, Short Story Long...
Talkin' Slayer is the first podcast dedicated to Slayer, the thrashiest of the Big Four thrash metal bands. Today's topic is NOT Slayer; instead, it's a longer description of the show, what it will be like, and why. This is just about the only time host D.X. Ferris will talk about anything that is not directly applicable to Slayer and the power of metal....
Published 04/29/23
Welcome to Talkin' Slayer: A Podcast and Half-@ssed Audiobook. This is Episode 00, Part 1: Podcast Trailer. Talkin' Slayer is the first podcast dedicated to Slayer, the thrashiest of the Big Four thrash metal bands. Today's topic is a little taste of the show and what it will be like.
After some introductory episodes, Talkin' Slayer tells the story of the Los Angeles heavy metal institution, in chronological order: how the band happened, when things fell apart, how they put them back...
Published 04/29/23