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Thrash metal giants Slayer coming to WV

By Staff | Apr 24, 2019

On Monday, May 13, four bands will descend on the Big Sandy Superstore Arena in Huntington like the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. With each band being a heavy-hitting force to be reckoned with in their own right, concertgoers will experience four titans of extreme heavy metal sharing the stage for a night of sonic chaos and fury unlike anything in recent memory. Slayer, arguably the most influential extreme heavy metal icons active today, will lead the charge as they proceed with their ongoing, and highly successful, farewell tour.

Along with Metallica, Megadeth, and Anthrax, Slayer is one of four bands commonly referred to as ‘The Big 4’ who are credited with setting the standard for American thrash metal. They’re often considered the only one of the ‘Big 4’ who’s remained faithful to their original stylistic vision. And the fans love them for it. That, and the legendary ‘Slayer experience’ of their explosive live performance, which is what they can be expected to deliver during their stop in Huntington. And with them, they’ll be bringing Lamb Of God, Amon Amarth, and Cannibal Corpse.

One of heavy music’s most recently successful bands, Lamb Of God released their debut LP, “New American Gospel,” in 2000 and it has since been recognized as a classic within its genre. Through the years, they’ve sold millions of albums and tickets around the world. Their song “Redneck” earned them their first of five Grammy nods. On May 3, they’ll re-release their now-classic sophomore album, “Ashes Of The Wake,” for its 15th anniversary.

On the same night, Sweden’s Amon Amarth will be the only band supporting a brand new release. Their 11th studio album “Berserker” also drops on May 3. They’ve got a penchant for bombarding the aural senses with catchy, melodic hooks, vivid storytelling, and a huge sound that has helped them gain traction and fast become a fan favorite, especially since the release of their 2013 LP “Deceiver of the Gods” and its follow-up, “Jomsviking,” released in 2016. Relentless tour schedules and captivating live performances have allowed them to pick up speed with consistently-growing live audiences, here in the U.S. particularly. On this tour with Slayer, Amon Amarth is going to be the band to watch.

Of all of the supporting bands on the tour, Cannibal Corpse’s existence most closely parallels that of Slayer. An active band for 30 years now, they, after Slayer, are the longest-running, still-thriving band on the bill. Legions of fans worldwide might argue that, like Slayer, Cannibal Corpse has also attained legendary status. Still promoting their 14th studio album, 2017’s “Red Before Black,” they just recently headlined the Decibel Magazine Tour 2019 with Morbid Angel. Surprising their live audiences, Cannibal Corpse has tapped guitar favorite Eric Rutan to substitute for guitarist Pat O’Brien for their live engagements.

Slayer’s last ever world tour has been underway since the summer of 2018. After almost a full year on the road, putting on the show of their career for rabid audiences all over the world, it was a stroke of luck that the fifth leg of their tour brings them to their fans that are tucked away in the Ohio Valley as a show of gratitude for decades of loyalty and to bid them farewell one last time. The tour pulls into Huntington at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena May 13. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. and the show begins at 5:30 p.m. For more information, visit this address:

www.bigsandyarena.com/events/view/slayer-lamb-of-god-cannibal-corpse-and-amon-amarth