Slayer just wrapped their final North American tour date of their final tour, and they realized something. They are having so much fun touring on what they are billing as their final tour ever, they are extending it.
"We always knew this tour would take us into 2019," Slayer's Kerry King comments in a press release, "and we've been blown away by the response we've been getting here in North America."
He continued: "We've heard about fans who have driven five, six hours, or flown in from other cities or countries to see us, so we want to assure our fans that we'll be on the road through 2019 and will get to as many places around the world as possible to make it easier for everyone to come and see us one last time."
So far, the band has tour dates lined up in South America, Australia, France and Japan for 2019 and the press release notes " But there will be more, plenty more. 2019 is twelve months long, and the world is a big place."
I imagine Slayer fans will be of two minds when it comes to this news. On the one hand, it's like fuck yes, more Slayer. Any more Slayer shows is good news. On the other hand, I can see fans being like what the fuck, Slayer? after shelling out a ton of money for what they assumed would be the last time they could ever see the band, only to learn they're playing the next town over in six months.
But I guess business is business.
Related: View killer photo galleries from Slayer's "final" shows in New York City and in Irvine, CA.
"I just want to take the time out to say thank you to all our fans who have made this first part of this tour phenomenal," said Tom Araya. "You really are loyal and dedicated fans and we appreciate that so much from you. We still have quite a few places to play, so next year, keep your eyes and ears open so you can catch us live one last and final time. Again, thank you!"
Here's Slayer's routing as it stands at this moment:
2018
OCTOBER
7 ForceFest @ Campo De Golf Teotihucan, San Juan Teotihuacan, Mexico (headline)NOVEMBER
1 Dublin 3Arena, Dublin, Ireland
3 Wembley Arena, London, UK
5 Cardiff Arena, Cardiff, UK
7 Birmingham BCA, Birmingham, UK
9 Manchester Arena, Manchester, UK
10 Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
12 Glasgow Hydro SSE, Glasgow, UK
14 Westfalenhalle 1, Dortmund, Germany
15 IJsselHal, Zwolle, Netherlands
17 Palacio Vistalegre, Madrid, Spain
18 St. Jordi, Barcelona, Spain
20 Mediolanum Forum, Milan, Italy
21 Halle 622, Zurich, Switzerland
23 Stadthalle, Vienne, Austria
24 Freiburg, SICK ARENA, Freiburg, Germany
26 Barclaycard Arena Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
27 Atlas Arena, Lodz, Poland
29 Olympiahalle, Munich, Germany
30 Messchalle, Erfurt, GermanyDECEMBER
2 Mercedes-Benz Arena, Berlin, Germany
3 Royal Arena, Kobenhavn S, Denmark
5 Hovert, Stockholm, Sweden
6 Oslo Spektrum Arena, Oslo, Norway
8 Helsinki Ice Hall, Helsinki, Finland2019
JUNE
23 Hellfest Open Air, Clisson, France (headline)