Talkin' Slayer tells the story of Slayer, the thrashiest of the Big Four thrash metal bands. After some introduction episodes, this weekly show recaps the history 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 9, Patreon supporters receive every weekly episode. Talkin' Slayer is written, deeply researched, lightly edited, and mostly rehearsed, with some production value. Episodes start after :60-:90 of intro; no need to skip the first 20 minutes.
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Sep 28, 2026 · 24:28
This is episode #157 of 55. We are deep in overtime. STILL. This is your pal Ferris. Today’s topic is the ongoing affair of attrition that wasthe Reign in Blood tour. This week:…
Sep 27, 2026 · 1:57
Hey there, true believers & Slaytanic pals. This is not a proper episode. This is another linkisode. Tomorrow — Monday — you'll get another full-on episode about Reign in Blood.…
Sep 21, 2026 · 2:08
Hey there, true believers & Slaytanic pals. This is not a proper episode. This is another linkisode. Today's content is not in the audio portion. It's in the link below. Because…
Sep 14, 2026 · 56:59
This is episode #153 of 55. We are deep in overtime. SLAYER IS BACK. Your pal Ferris delivers a long recap of the band's first live concert of 2026... ...which included the…
Aug 29, 2026 · 19:41
Today's topic is Reign in Blood. In week 3 of many, learn about Blood in America, where the Reign in Blood tours begin. This is the beginning of the end, right here in 1986. DEEZ…
Aug 15, 2026 · 38:41
Today's topic is Reign in Blood, Part 1 of many: Prelude to the album, plus Enter Into the Realm of Def Jam... Recently inducted Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Rick Rubin enters the…
Aug 1, 2026 · 52:48
Today's topic is Hell Worldwide, the international campaign that was the Hell Awaits tour. This episode features my favorite moment from the book... and Slayer's career. All…
Jul 20, 2026 · 47:22
Today's topic is Live Undead... the shows around it, the album, and the cover art. After episode 9, only Patreon supporters get every weekly episode and bonus shows & content.…
Jul 6, 2026 · 37:19
Today's topic is primal crossover: Slammin' to Slayer... Metal Enters the Pit (Chapter 11). Metal and punk collide. Cuts, bruises, busted bones, and broken noses ensue. And,…
Jul 4, 2026 · 4:26
HEY PALS. Here's a little taste of something I'm doing now, exclusively for Patreon supporters... mostly. Long story short, it's a new type of mini-episode I'm experimenting…
Jun 20, 2026 · 18:43
Today's topic is Metal Moonlighting: Slayer team captain Kerry King signs on to play in the very first lineup of Megadeth, briefly apprenticing under one of his heavy metal…
Jun 13, 2026 · 30:43
Today's topic is Slayer's first record deal and album: Show No Mercy, released on the hall of fame metal foundry that is Metal Blade. VIDEO: Slayer, live, 1983 . Next week is the…
Jun 6, 2026 · 1:03:00
Today's topic is the International Day of Slayer ... which is today if you're listening in a timely manner. For the first time, Slayer Day founder Jeff Tandy reveals the myths,…
Jun 1, 2026 · 9:00
This is not an episode. Not a proper episode. But... Today’s topic is some absolutely killer, very old Slayer footage that is bustin’ out all over the internet. This is probably…
May 30, 2026 · 50:27
Today's topics are Jeff Hanneman (again), the State of California's billion-dollar thrash incubator, and the hard-partying major ragin' scene that spawned Slayer, Metallica, many…
May 23, 2026 · 36:42
AND WE ARE BACK, aces high. BEFORE WE GET STARTED... Click here for a video of Ferris unboxing the Hell Awaits 40 megabox set. You axed for it. Here it is . Anyhow... Today's…
May 16, 2026 · 30:05
AND WE ARE BACK. The time: two minutes to midnight. Today's topics are Slayer founder — if not mastermind — Kerry King and frontman Tom Araya. Unless otherwise noted, all…
May 9, 2026 · 35:04
AND WE ARE BACK, AND SERIOUSLY LISTENING TO MAIDEN AGAIN, FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE 80s. THE RITUAL HAS BEGUN. Today's topic is Jeff Hanneman. How did Jeff make the difference…
May 2, 2026 · 35:04
Talkin' Slayer, Season 4 begins now . This season kicks off with an all-new tribute to Jeff Hanneman. Today marks the 13th anniversary of his untimely demise. Your host Ferris…
Apr 26, 2026 · 10:46
Hey, listeners. This is the new, uncut, long trailer for Season 4 of Talkin' Slayer, the world's longest one-year podcast. Season 4 will kick off Saturday, May 2. That date will…
Mar 14, 2026 · 32:36
Hey, listeners. Here's a seasonal rerun about that most controversial of all the icons in Slayer's mythology of the profane... the Slayer Leprechaun. But first, there's an update…
Jan 31, 2026 · 22:43
Dateline: January 31, 2026. Jeff Hanneman would have turned 62 today. So here's a rerun of a spotlight episode about Jeff. This one looks at his creative output on & after after…
Dec 14, 2025 · 2:06:31
BACK. This is Talkin' Slayer, episode #88 of 55. (If you don't count Season 3, which goes to Patreon supporters only.) Happy holidays if you're holidaying. Today's topics are:…
Sep 29, 2025 · 57:00
Episode #87 of 55. Today's topic is a show report from Slayer's mini-festival in Hershey, PA 20 September 2025. It was their final show of the year, lucky #6. The full day of…
Aug 4, 2025 · 29:53
Back. We are talkin' Slayer. This week's topic is the Great Hanneman Gear Grab: What happened to Jeff's guitar collection, mostly, and why, and how? Tune in. And unless you're a…
Jul 21, 2025 · 23:43
This week's topic: We have set lists from the last few shows, with a detailed report from our dude in London, Kevin Gale. BANISHED FROM THIS DYING WORLD, THE LORD OF GALE…
Jul 4, 2025 · 12:15
SHORT SHARP SHOCK MINI-EPISODE Today's topics are 2) A recap of Slayer's righteous return to the stage 3 July 2025 in Cardiff, Wales... including the setlist. 1) Some speculation…
Jun 23, 2025 · 50:12
LAST WEEK, Patreon supporters got a super long chapter about the era around World Painted Blood, the final album with musical mastermind Jeff Hanneman. THIS WEEK'S TOPIC is the…
Jun 9, 2025 · 45:27
Today's topic is Christ Illusion , the 2006 reunion album by Slayer's classic lineup. And when it's over, I drop some flowers for the late, great Sacha Jenkins . DEEZ NOTES…
Jun 6, 2025 · 21:56
Talkin' Slayer, Episode 78.5. JUNE 6 IS THE INTERNATIONAL DAY SLAYER. And it's Tom Araya's birthday. Happy birthday, Tom! Tom, of course, has the most metal birthdate: 6/6/61. To…
May 26, 2025 · 25:45
Episode 77, The New Chapter 66: Talkin' the Kerry King Band, Again, More... Part 1 As referenced in the show... or not... UNBOXING VIDEO: Your pal Ferris unboxes the new edition…
May 12, 2025 · 38:33
Talkin' Divine Intervention a Little, Talkin' Undisputed More, Talkin' Diabolus, Talkin' Hell Again Links to things mentioned — or implied, or not mentioned — in the episode this…
Apr 28, 2025 · 1:55:47
Today's topic is Jeff Hanneman. This is a long three-part tribute, timed to be here for the 12th anniversary of Jeff's sad, untimely demise. Talkin' Slayer is a deeply researched…
Apr 14, 2025 · 50:28
Todays's topics include a detailed look at Rick Rubin, Slayer's enigmatic longtime producer, executive producer, label boss, and benefactor. Stay tuned, and you'll learn more…
Mar 29, 2025 · 59:19
This episode is different kind of show. Today's topic is the Slaytanic Survey results as of October 28, 2024. It's a long chapter with a lot of numbers. What are your favorite…
Mar 17, 2025 · 47:24
Patreon supporters hear an episode every week. Free listeners get one every other week. (Chapter 12, Part 2 + bonus Slaytanic speculation) DEEZ NOTES... SLAYTANIC SURVEYS The…
Mar 10, 2025 · 1:17:24
Back. Welcome to Talkin' Slayer, Season 2: "New Sh*t Has Come to Light." Season 2 presents the larger highlights from the new, extensively revised, massively expanded, thoroughly…
Mar 3, 2025 · 34:25
Back. Welcome to Talkin' Slayer, Season 2: "New Sh*t Has Come to Light." Season 2 presents the larger highlights from the new, extensively revised, massively expanded, thoroughly…
Feb 3, 2025 · 29:14
This week's topic is a report from the Kerry King band's headlining live set Friday, January 31 at the Cleveland House of Blues. The band were pretty good when they opened for…
Jan 27, 2025 · 1:03:57
Hey, pals. Ferris here. We're not exactly back, but we will be soon. This week, I tell you what's in the immediate future for the podcast. And I tell you about the massive, new,…
Oct 11, 2024 · 8:06
HEY YINZ! Here's some news, plus a quick recap of Slayer's second and final 2024 reunion show at California's Aftershock fest. Some links follow. This is another different kind…
Sep 30, 2024 · 1:16:10
Talkin' Slayer, Episode 61: Report From First Reunion Show @ Chicago Riot Fest. Plus Details on Canceled Second Show. Ferris saw the first Slayer reunion show. Which, as it…
Sep 16, 2024 · 52:55
Today’s topic is Slayer and branding. Ferris talks about what Slayer means, and what it’s worth — to the band, to brands, and to us fans. This is some Thrash 101 talk, but you…
Sep 9, 2024 · 1:30:01
This week's topic: Acid Reign frontman/Talking Bollocks host/Motörcast host/all around standup guy Howard "H" Smith interviews Talkin' Slayer host D.X. Ferris about this show,…
Aug 15, 2024 · 52:02
WE ARE BACK! I saw Kerry's band and Mastodon live in Cleveland Friday. And here's what I thought about it. More new episodes are coming soon. Plus plenty of reruns after that.…
Jun 6, 2024 · 37:54
HAPPY INTERNATIONAL DAY OF SLAYER. This episode features the origin story for this heavy metal holiday. And it also covers Christ Illusion... how the classic lineup got back to…
May 27, 2024 · 48:13
Today's topic is my long review & analysis of the Kerry King album From Hell I Rise. More important, what do YOU think about it? Tell me in the comments. I really want to hear…
May 2, 2024 · 41:09
May 2, 2013... a day that will live in infamy. Talkin' Slayer is back, to commemorate the 11th anniversary of Jeff Hanneman's untimely, shocking demise. One of the listeners…
Apr 1, 2024 · 37:35
Take TWO Slayer surveys if you have a couple minutes, please. They're simple, it's fast... all you have to do is click answers for nine questions in each survey. 1) The Slaytanic…
Mar 18, 2024 · 1:02:22
Another long one. It's a full hour. Three topics this week: 1) A book report about Tom's sister's history of her family -- mostly her dad and brother. 2) An annotated list of…
Mar 4, 2024 · 31:27
Talkin' Slayer, Episode 45... Repentless & the Retirement Announcement Today’s topics are 1. Slayer’s final (?) album. And 2. whether or not the band actually SAID they were…
Feb 21, 2024 · 7:44
BREAKING NEWS: SLAYER WILL REUNITE FOR LIVE SHOWS Listen for the deets AND the 'tails.
Feb 19, 2024 · 40:51
This week: Four chapters, one topic... We’re talkin’ Jeff. We’re talkin’ postmortem. We’re talking about tributes to the late, great Jeff Hanneman – the soul of Slayer and the…
Feb 5, 2024 · 50:56
BIG episode this week. IT'S GOIN' DOWN!! Two topics: 1) Things come to a head between Dave and the band. Dave thinks he has them right where he wants them.. BUT... And then a…
Feb 1, 2024 · 52:05
Today would have been Jeff Hanneman's 60th birthday. So today's topic is Jeff. Twice. As a tribute, we took the two episodes that are all about the late great guitarist, the…
Jan 22, 2024 · 28:46
Episode 39. This week, three topics: Slayer without Jeff Hanneman, which was unthinkable… until it happened. Then The Big Four Concerts, Part II, which covers the American Big…
Jan 8, 2024 · 43:48
Episode 37: Triple Shot... The Big Four, The Big Year, and American Carnage, featuring Metallica, Anthrax, and Megadeth. Yiz get three topics / three chapters this week: A…
Dec 25, 2023 · 24:09
Episode 35 arrives a little early this week, in case you’re traveling for the holidays. Today’s topics are the 2007 tour with Marilyn Manson and Slayer’s second Grammy win. Two…
Dec 11, 2023 · 37:12
Today's topic is Still Reigning. The year is 2003. Original drummer Dave Lombardo has returned to the band. Slayer play Reign in Blood, live, in its entirety. They make a tour…
Nov 27, 2023 · 38:30
This week’s topic is the God Hates Us All cycle. Two weeks ago, all listeners learned about drummer Paul Bostaph's return to the band. Jon Dette got the boot. Spoiler: We haven’t…
Nov 14, 2023 · 50:00
Today's topic — today's five topics — are 1. Paul Bostaph's quick return to the band, and 2. Slayer's collaboration with German digital hardcore/techno band Atari Teenage Riot.…
Oct 30, 2023 · 21:25
Happy Halloween! Today's topic is — today's TWO topics — are Hanneman's rapidly escalating, painful physical ailement, plus a lawsuit from heavyweight legal outfit. Last week,…
Oct 16, 2023 · 33:10
Today's topic is — SPOILERS — drum god Dave Lombardo's second of three exits from Slayer. This time, it's personal. Last week, Patreon supporters got an episode about the Seasons…
Oct 2, 2023 · 34:22
T oday's topic is the Seasons in the Abyss album, and what Tom has to say about every song on it; this, after all, the album with the most lyrical contributions from Tom. Last…
Sep 18, 2023 · 29:19
T oday'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…
Sep 4, 2023 · 43:47
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…
Aug 21, 2023 · 29:07
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…
Aug 7, 2023 · 56:36
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…
Jul 24, 2023 · 52:03
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…
Jul 17, 2023 · 30:09
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…
Jul 10, 2023 · 45:51
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…
Jul 3, 2023 · 7:57
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…
Jun 24, 2023 · 35:20
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…
Jun 19, 2023 · 32:49
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…
Jun 12, 2023 · 41:36
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…
Jun 5, 2023 · 46:47
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. A nd we…
May 29, 2023 · 33:13
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…
May 22, 2023 · 30:28
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…
May 15, 2023 · 28:27
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 _____…
May 8, 2023 · 33:09
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…
May 1, 2023 · 30:02
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…
Apr 29, 2023 · 34:27
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…
Apr 29, 2023 · 5:13
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…
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