User:L1A1 FAL/Slayer's 11th studio album (2)

Slayer's eleventh studio album will be the followup to their 2009 album, World Painted Blood. Production of the album has been mired in uncertainty and controversy regarding the death of founding guitarist Jeff Hanneman and the status of Dave Lombardo, who was ultimately replaced by Paul Bostaph following a contract dispute.

Background
When asked in May 2011 if Slayer was going to make a followup to World Painted Blood, then-Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo replied that although nothing had been written yet, there were "definitely plans".

In early 2011, guitarist Jeff Hanneman contracted necrotizing fasciitis. Reports linked this illness with a spider bite he claimed to have received while in a friend's hot tub. When asked about a new record, bassist Tom Araya stated that any work would have to wait until Hanneman had recovered.

Split with Lombardo and death of Hanneman
On February 20, 2013, it was announced that Lombardo would not take part in Slayer's Australia tour due to contractual disputes, and his place would be taken by former drummer Jon Dette. Being interviewed in late February by Soundwave TV, guitarist Kerry King elaborated more on the personnel status for the album. He expressed doubt as to who might produce the album, saying that Metallica had producer Greg Fidelman "monopolized". Additionally, due to the continued absence of Hanneman and a contract dispute with Lombardo which resulted in his being replaced on the Australian tour by Dette. Lombardo's permenant replacement was later announced to be Paul Bostaph, who was the previously the band's drummer from 1992-2001, appearing on several albums.

On May 2, 2013, it was announced that Hanneman had died of liver failure in a Los Angeles hospital. A week later, the official cause of death was announced as alcohol-related cirrhosis. Hanneman and his family had apparently been unaware of the extent of condition until shortly before his death. King has announced his desire for the band to continue. Araya was more uncertain, however. "After 30 years, it would literally be like starting over." Araya also expressed doubts that Slayer's fanbase would approve such a change.

Writing and production
Lombardo tweeted in November 2011 that the band had commenced writing new music. King announced that he and Lombardo had been working before the holidays and that they had completed three songs, in addition to three more songs which included outtakes from the previous record. King further announced plans to enter the studio in either March or April. It was initially hoped that the album would be ready for release by summer of 2012, but this did not come to fruition. Later it was revealed that the album would be pushed back to a 2013 release. This was later confirmed by frontman Tom Araya.

In addition, King had noted that two of the new songs had been fully recorded and releasing them as an EP was under consideration by band and label, but the idea was later dismissed. King announced the songs' titles as "Chasing Death" and "Implode". Araya announced that the band would start writing the new album upon completion of the 2012 Mayhem Festival.

King announced in an interview in late August 2012 that there had been a twelve day window where the band had been able to "hijack Greg Fidelman from Metallica" and that they had recorded two songs that still needed mixed, two that are missing lead guitar parts and vocals and recorded three more demos. In addition, King said that the band has three more songs that have yet to be demoed.

In February 2013 during an interview with Eddie Trunk, King declared that, while Hanneman still had not been involved with the album, the band were waiting for label issues to be resolved before recording. King stated that he and Lombardo had eight songs that they were working on, as well. When asked about whether or not Exodus guitarist Gary Holt, who had been filling in for Hanneman during live shows, would play on the record, King denied it, saying that he would handle all guitars except for Hanneman's lead parts. King also said that Hanneman had yet to offer up any material for the album. Araya later contradicted this, and stated that Hanneman had been working on material for the album. Shortly after Hanneman's death, Araya revealed that Hanneman had gone so far as to send Araya music that he had been working on, and Araya later said that some of this material, including an outtake from World Painted Blood, might make it onto the album.

Even prior to Hanneman's death, King had expressed doubt as to who would even play on the album. He stated that if work on the album could be done in June 2013, then it was hoped that the album could be out by the following September or October. However this ultimately turned out not to be the case and, as of October 2013, the album remains in development hell.

Music and lyrics
In an interview, King described "Chasing Death" as being about alcoholism: "it's like people who drink too much. They don't help themselves out so they're chasing death." He explained "Implode" as being about the end of the world.

The album could feature material written by Hanneman prior to his passing. Araya has explained that Hanneman had two songs that he submitted to the rest of the band. One song was an outtake from World Painted Blood, which Araya said that he Hanneman had been working on melody and lyrics for. Additionally, Araya has said that he plans to go through Hanneman's personal audio files, and that some of that material could also find its way onto the new album in one form or another.

Tracklisting
Confirmed titles:
 * "Chasing Death"
 * "Implode"

Personnel

 * Tom Araya - vocals, bass guitar
 * Kerry King - guitars
 * Paul Bostaph - drums


 * Production
 * Greg Fidelman - producer