Review by Catherine McCauley for MPM
As we make our way into Finsbury Park, London is awash with band t-shirts. The Metal community are arriving in droves for what is being promoted as one of Slayers final shows. The atmosphere is electric as we make our way into what will no doubt be, one of the most memorable gigs of our lifetimes.
Neckbreakker hailing from Denmark, formed in 2020, were first on stage. They started proceedings with four songs and warmed up the beginnings of today’s crowd.
‘Face-Splitting Madness’ and ‘Putrefied Body Fluid’, saw the start of today’s circle pits. The lads were heavy and did a great job of whipping the crowd into a frenzy.
Formed in 1994, from Bridgeport Connecticut Hatebreed were in top form and high octane, with Jamey Jasta and lads bouncing about the stage. Jasta worked the crowd and it was evident that there was a lot of Hatebreed fans in Finsbury Park today, as they sang along to every word.
Jasta thanks everyone for showing up early and we were glad that we did too, as this wasn’t a show to be missed.
As large inflatable black balls bounced about in the audience Jasta incited a wall of death during ‘In Ashes They Shall reap’ which the crowd were all too happy to oblige. The Hatebreed Lads brought energy and conviction to the party.
Mastodon originating from Atlanta Georgia and formed in 2000 were next on stage. With the recent departure in March 2025 of guitarist and vocalist Brent Hinds, we are eager to see the lads and experience the new line up. Mastodons set was totally immersive and psychedelic.
Playing classic tracks such as ‘The Motherload’, ‘More Than I Can Chew’ and ‘Mother Puncher’. Troy Sanders tells us how they first played in Camden Underworld 20yrs ago in support of ‘Hell on Fire’ and how much they appreciate being back in England playing to such a large venue today.
Troy introduces Nick Johnston on guitar – Johnston seems very much at ease playing in Finsbury with the lads. The recent change has certainly not impacted on their stellar performance. This is evident in the ferocity of the circle pit during “Blood and Thunder”.
Anthrax one of the Big Four’ are next up. The New York thrashers formed in 1981, were considered one of the leading thrash bands of that era.
They continue to bring fun to the party with their antics however, they are serious about their craft. Anthrax play quite a few tracks off their ‘Among the Living’ album, such as “Among the Living”, “Caught in a Mosh”, “I am the Law” and “Indians”.
We are also treated to two covers “Antisocial” (Trust cover) and “Got the Time” (Joe Jackson cover). Joey Belladonna tells us “London you are metal thrashing mad” as Scott Ian thumps his chest in agreement.
The mosh pits go crazy for Anthax’s style of thrash and we all sing along to the classic hits. During “Indians”, Belladonna comes down into the area in front of the pit to encourage the crowd to “War Dance”. The crowd are eager to oblige. We are damn lucky to see two of the “Big Four” on the same line up today in London.
Amon Amarth formed in 1992 hailing from Tumba, Sweden have arrived in all their Viking glory. The stage is a tribute to Viking Mythology and history. A large drape adorned with a Viking army ripples in the breeze, providing an effect that a large army are approaching the crowd. On either side are two huge Viking statues. Drummer Jocke Wallgren’s drum kit sits on a Viking Helmet with eyes that display various visuals throughout the show.
The band wear matching clothes with the AA emblem emblazoned on the front of their black t-shirts akin to a uniform. Amon Amarth take their performance seriously despite the entertaining theatrics of their stage show. They are extremely succinct as a band and they have us eating out of their hands throughout their set. Johan Hegg is a very charismatic frontman and has London convinced that we are going into battle alongside the band.
Hegg tells us that he listened to metal as a kid and never imagined in his wildest dreams that he would be sharing the stage with Anthrax and the mighty Slayer!! Hegg is a big presence on stage but full of humility, he encouraged the crowd to put “your back into the oar” during the classic track, due to the hectic nature of the mosh pit the crowd were unable to sit down to do so but did it standing up.
This was an amazing sight!! Inflatable hammers and Viking drinking horns could be seen throughout the crowd – Skol !! Amon Amarth delivered “Twilight of the Thunder God” as their encore track.
This was glorious from Hegg, raising Thor’s Hammer – Mjolnir at the start of the song striking the stage causing an explosion with smoke plumes and then flames. The mosh pit were in full flight with Wallgren’s double bass drum pulsing through Finsbury Park.
Next up the headlining act we have all been waiting patiently for, the monumental Slayer!! A six minute montage of the legendary Slayer appeared on the two large screens adjoining the enormous Finsbury Park stage with Angel of Death playing in the background. The sequence documents the origins of the American thrash metal band, hailing from Huntington Park California in 1981. The crowd are shouting “Slayer” and cheer when the lads appear in snippets of interviews. Nostalgic images such as the original Slayer logo, pictures of earlier shows and videos of the band, other musicians and fans, play. Kerry King chats about how he first met Jeff Hanneman and then met Dave Lombardo, then Tom Arya, they put it together and it just stuck. Tom tells of how they had no money and they all “popped into the Camaro, managed to get a U-Haul and just left with nothing”. Humorous accounts of how they used to sleep on basement floors and storage rooms, we would never sleep that’s just how it was. Jeff recounts the lyrical content of other bands compared to Slayer – “something different to I love this girl but she don’t love me – my car goes really fast yeah – its aggressive but if you are living a nice life style and have no problems and put on our record you just won’t get it you gotta have some problems”.
It’s a great reminder of how a band like Slayer cut their teeth on extensive touring over the years, fighting against adversity whilst earning six gold records and two Grammy awards. All these memories were part of the journey to Slayer becoming the juggernaut that they are today. This will be a bittersweet momentous event today, as the band have announced their plans to retire. Fans have travelled far and wide. A group of us travelled from Ireland and we have met fans from all over Europe today. We watch the footage in awe of the life experience of the band that we’ve come to love and admire as talented musicians. The devastating loss of Jeff Hannemann, the bands reflections on how they’ve had to defend their reputation and position within the word of metal. King reflects “Slayer is a lifestyle, it’s not just a band, and these kids here for the show tonight they are going to church”.
Paul Bostoph replaced Dave Lombardo on drums in 2013 permanently (having replaced him twice previously for temporary periods). Tom reveals in a clip how they called the auditions to a halt as they knew immediately he was the guy. “Holt was my first choice” says Kerry in relation to Gary Holt (Exodus) becoming the replacement for Jeff Hannemann. Holt initially joined as a touring musician in 2011, later joining permanently in 2013 following the unfortunate, passing of the mighty Hanneman. Hannemann left huge boots to fill – he was instrumental in writing both lyrics and the music with Tom and Kerry, focusing on war, religion, occultism, serial killers, fascism and racism.
Slayer known as one the “Big Four” were hugely instrumental in influencing up and coming Thrash Bands. What’s a montage without a classic Beavis and Butthead tribute clip. The montage is a historical documentary of the Slayer journey not only for the band themselves but from the fans and how huge an influence the lads have been on their lives. As the countdown on the screens reach the lower figures the crowd enthusiastically began shouting 5,4,3,2,1.
We wait with anticipation as the stage goes silent and fills with dry ice. The cheers quieten as a guitar and drum intro begin. Then the instantly recognisable intro of ‘South of Heaven’ rings through Finsbury Park as Slayer appears on stage. Immediately a mosh pit begins circling as we sing along to the opening lines with Tom. Tom is smiling out at a passionate sea of fans – we are as enthralled to see the lads as they are us.
The crowds sings the second chorus “On and On South of Heaven” as Tom proudly nods along pounding on the bass. As ‘Repentless’ kicks in the sea of fans in the circle pit are growing by the second. King ferociously head bangs whilst knocking out signature riff after signature riff. The flames explode from the side of the stage in time to the guitars and drums. This is an awe inspiring production perfect for the onslaught Slayer intend to provide Finsbury Park this evening. ‘Disciple’ sees the hungry crowd chant along with passion alongside Tom to “God hates us all”. Holt is in his element savagely head banging and playing flawlessly.
Inverted crosses alight with flames appear in either side of Bostaph’s kit. This truly is a beastial visual sight to behold. Images of the now fierce pit flash up on the side screens. It’s a great sight to behold seeing younger fans on the shoulders of their fathers, rocking out to the merciless Slayer, whilst displaying the devil horns.
Tom engaged and thanked the crowd for being here today. He acknowledged that we are here to have fun – he can hear it – “you’ve been waiting six years are you ready” before initiating the instantly recognisable scream of “War Ensemble”. Bostophs playing is impeccable, we can feel every beat in our chests as he pounds on the drum kit. The flames engulf the stage adding to the vicious atmosphere of the song.
The crowd surfers are full tilt at this stage. It hard to determine who is enjoying themselves more the band or the fans. King and Holt’s guitar playing and solos are wickedly exquisite on ‘Mandatory Suicide”, the fire fanfare at the end of the song is breath-taking. Tom asks “how many of you are out here for the very first time watching us” a number of the audience cheer Tom quips “I can tell because you guys are just standing still and looking” he then laughs and adds “that’s ok because this can be overwhelming” and he jokes about pounding on your head – when is it gonna stop –“ but we do it out of love it’s all about love when you get beat in the head. This song is all about love in a kind of morbid away”.
Tom explains that the next song is” a love song for me and my wife, (in a sinister voice) you can love each other so much that you willing to kill for someone, die for someone, willing to kill them so that they can stay with you for fucking ever “. ‘Dead Skin Mask’ explodes and the fans chant along whilst images of Ed Gain, John Wayne Gacy and others alongside visceral images appear on the back screen. Holt is playing one of Hanneman’s guitars which is a fitting tribute to the legend who is with us in spirit today. It was a sight to behold watching men in their 40’s and 50’s playing air guitar and drums alongside their Thrash heroes.
The lads playing is tight and they clearly love doing what they do best. ‘Seasons in the Abyss’ has the pit whipped into a frenzy as everyone sings along to the mantra which is the chorus. Holt effortlessly plays his solos as the crowd sings the final chorus to the delight of King et al. ‘Hell Awaits’ sees a burning effect on the video footage as the stage is filled with bursts of flame and smoke.
The striking pyrotechnics for Slayers Finsbury Park gig are akin to the pits of Hell as we can feel the heat in the crowd. The band treat us to ‘Wicked World’ (Black Sabbath cover) with an interlude of ‘Postmortem’ (Followed by “Wicked World” reprise). The lads smoothly transition into a groove laden cover of the Sabbath classic. Clearly their attendance at the Black Sabbath farewell gig has left a lasting impression, one which they wish to share with us this evening. ‘Raining Blood’ and ‘Angel of Death’ are the final tracks of the evening. We are definitely South of Heaven at this point, more than satisfied but eager for more. Tom’s blood curdling scream at the start of Angel of Death left us with goose bumps as they launch into another thrash-tastic classic Slayer tune.
Slayer came to London and ripped us all a new one. The stage show was gripping, a fire fuelled spectacle to behold. The Mosh Pit was relentless and the crowd were willing to go on this fervent journey with their idols. Old and new fans piled out of the stunning grounds of Finsbury talking about their experiences, excited yet exhausted.
This was definitely one of the best gigs I have ever attended. Having seen Slayer thirty years ago in Belfast I can genuinely say they are a bloody hard act to beat. Consummate professionals, talented musicians and not afraid to tell tales of the horrors of society. Tom summed it up perfectly, “Thank you very much for everything, being a part of my life, our Life, thank you for letting us be a part of your life”. Thank you Slayer!!
Photography by Jon Theobald – Full Gallery Below.
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