Exclusive interview with Tom Araya from Slayer.
You're going to get Slayer! You're going to come in and get a headbanging with music. Because that's what you get from Slayer, a headbanging.”
Wikimetal (Nando Machado): Hello Tom!
Tom Araya: How are you?
W: I'm doing well, how are you?
TA: I'm fine, I'm fine. Are you on speakerphone?
W: Yes, can you hear me?
TA: Yes, I can hear you. There's a little static, but I can hear you.
W: First of all, I wanted to say that it's a pleasure to speak with you. We've followed your career for the last 25 years, and thank you very much for your time.
TA: Thank you, thank you for being a fan, thank you.
W: I'm one of the hosts of Wikimetal, which is the number 1 Metal podcast in Brazil. To start, talking about the beginning of your career, who were the main influences that made you want to be a bassist?
TA: Wow… Well, the first person who made me think about playing bass or going in that direction… I'd have to give credit to my brother who started playing guitar; I learned to play bass to accompany him.
W: Slayer 's main early influences that inspired you to create such a unique sound?
TA: I think it would have to be… Growing up I always used to listen to Hard Rock, Acid Rock in the 60s, so I really liked heavy rock, that's what influenced me to be a bassist, I think. For Heavy Metal it would have to be Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, those were my favorites that I listened to while I was growing up.
W: Since you're one of the few bands that have kept the same members for so long, except for the period when Lombardo left and then came back, what's the secret to being able to spend so much time with the same people and not go crazy, maintaining the same level of energy and quality in the music?
TA: The music itself, the music we create, is what keeps the energy going on stage. As for putting up with the same guys for 30 years, it's about putting up with everyone's nonsense. That's the biggest part of getting along, putting up with nonsense. If you can handle it, everything's alright!
W: That's great. One more question, how difficult was it touring with guitarists other than Jeff Hanneman? Speaking of which, how's his health? Will he be playing in Brazil?
TA: What was the first part of the question?
W: How difficult was it touring with guitarists other than Jeff Hanneman? Like Gary Holt? You've known him for a long time, haven't you?
TA: Yes, it's not easy. It was a very difficult decision to make. But Gary Holt is a really great guitarist and a great friend. He was willing and able to play and do what Jeff does, which I think is really important.
W: And how is Jeff's health now?
TA: He's doing very well. Jeff is recovering; he still has a long way to go to rehabilitate his arm and heal. But he's doing well. It won't be a quick process; it will take some time.
W: So you think Gary Holt will play at the shows in Brazil?
TA: I'm not sure yet. I know we did a show in California where he came out and played two songs with us.
W: Ah, that's great.
TA: Yeah, he managed to play two songs, but he still can't play for an hour and a half. His arm starts to hurt after a while, so he's still practicing, playing his guitar, but he can't play for the amount of time we're going to play. So I don't know if he'll be able to play.
Jeff is recovering; there's still a long way to go before his arm is fully rehabilitated and healed. But he's doing well. It won't be a quick process; it will take some time.
W: Well, we're hoping for the best. And speaking of which, how's your health right now?
TA: I'm doing very well, my neck surgery went very well, I healed well and I'm taking care of myself. I hope to take good care of myself and get through this without complications. But yes, I'm doing well, thank you.
W: Did your doctor tell you not to headbang anymore?
TA: Yeah, he said I can't do that anymore. I have a titanium plate with six screws, so there won't be any more headbanging for me.
W: I'm sure your talents on bass and vocals remain the same, right?
TA: Yeah, I'm trying to play and sing a little better.
W: Do you think there's a new wave of Metal now? Better ways to promote and showcase the bands? Do you think the Big Four event helped with that?
TA: Yes, I think it helped. It shows that the four bands have been around for a long time, you know. Three of the bands have been around for 30 years, so I think the best thing that can happen to Metal is to bring these bands together and do what we're doing, because it makes people aware that what we're doing is viable music. 30 years later and we're still a viable band, you know what I mean?
W: What is your opinion on these documentaries and reality shows that have been produced about Heavy Metal, such as those about Anvil and Lemmy, and also The Osbournes, and the other VH1 reality show, Super Group? What is your opinion? Do you think it helps Metal or creates a caricature of Metal?
TA: You know, I think what it does is open people's eyes to the world of music, not necessarily metal, but the world of music in the sense of what people do and what they go through. It opened other people's eyes to the reality of the music world. It's not easy, it's something that takes over your life, and it shows the emotions between four people who come together to make music and dedicate their whole lives to being a band. It opened people's eyes to the fact that it's not easy. It's a very difficult thing to do, to dedicate your life to doing something with other people, to try to make it work and happen. It's a difficult life. I think it allowed people to see that it's not all glamorous. So I think it was good. People look at musicians and bands and think, "Wow, it must be good," and these programs and documentaries show that in reality it's not really good, it's quite difficult.
"Yeah, the doctor said I can't do that anymore. I have a titanium plate with six screws, so there won't be any more head bangs for me."
J: Hi everyone, sorry to interrupt, but we need to wrap things up here.
W: Okay, can I ask two more questions?
TA: Sure.
W: Okay. If you could choose one song that really gets you going when you're driving in your car and that song starts playing on your iPod on shuffle, what song would it be? The one that makes you want to headbang no matter where you are?
TA: Oh, man. You know? In all honesty… Ah, that's a tough question, man. A really good metal song when it plays on the radio?
W: Yeah, on the radio or on your iPod when it's on shuffle, something that drives you crazy and makes you want to headbang wherever you are, in the car, at home, in the shower, wherever.
TA: Man, that's a tough question. And I'm going to be biased and answer with any Slayer .
W: Any Slayer song, that's easy. So I'll choose the song, okay? Which we'll listen to now on Wikimetal. I'll choose one of my favorites, "Hell Awaits".
TA: I want to stomp my foot and break the law!
W: Perfect, man. Just to wrap things up, would you like to leave a message for your Brazilian fans and talk a little about your experience with Brazil, your relationship with the fans, if you know any Brazilian bands? What is your relationship with Brazil?
TA: My relationship with Brazil is very good. Our only relationship with Brazilian bands is with Sepultura, who are great friends of ours, very cool guys, a great band. And a band that's been here for a long time, which is really cool. That's our relationship with Brazilian fans and musicians. It's Sepultura.
W: And would you like to leave a message for the Brazilian fans, who are eagerly awaiting the shows?
TA: You're gonna get Slayer! You're gonna come in and get a headbanging with music. Because that's what you get from Slayer, a headbanging.
W: Thank you very much Mr. Araya, it was a great pleasure talking to you, I'll be at the show and who knows, maybe we can have a few drinks together afterwards?
TA: That sounds good, we'll see you. Take care.
W: Thank you very much.
TA: Bye bye.
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