Talkin' Slayer: A Metal Podcast and Half-@ssed Audiobook cover art

Talkin' Slayer: A Metal Podcast and Half-@ssed Audiobook

Talkin' Slayer: A Metal Podcast and Half-@ssed Audiobook

By: D.X. Ferris
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About this listen

 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.D.X. Ferris Music
Episodes
  • Talkin' the Big Four Bands... Advanced Thrash Metrics and Career Comparisons, Plus the First Concerts (New + Improved Chapters 43, 44)

    Talkin' the Big Four Bands... Advanced Thrash Metrics and Career Comparisons, Plus the First Concerts (New + Improved Chapters 43, 44)
    Jun 23 2025
    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 Big Four American Thrash Metal Bands. You’re getting two chapters about the boys... ALL the boys. The rivals. The allies. The frenemies. All of the above. United and strong. Mostly. Press play and hear the new & improved versions of chapters 43 and 44 from the MONSTORIOUSLY EMBIGGENED unofficial band biography, "Slayer 66 2/3: A Metal Band Biography... or, How F*kin' Slayer Kicked F*kin' @ss," by your pal and host, D.X. Ferris.Can you truly compare the careers of Metalica, Slayer, Megadeth, and Anthrax? Yes, you can. And we do. Get ready for metrics, advanced SLAYERMETRICS — it's a thing — superlatives, statistics, facts, hallmarks, career highs, questionable lows, and other dubious distinctions. It all ends with the Big Four Bands on the same stage, at the same time, playing the same song… sorta.And, yes, we get into whether the term "Big Four" is appropriate.DEEZ NOTEZ:...are from the endnotes in the book. The ebook features these sources as live links. It's better than TV... if anything can be better than TV, that is.VIDEO: “Paul Bostaph Slayer with Phil Demmel.” Video of band performing “Hell Awaits” with very temporary fill-in guitarist Phil Demmel, in late 2018. The video is one steady shot from behind Holt’s drum kit. No vocals are audible. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B34krQvPv_QVIDEO: “Metallica 11/09/86 Anaheim CA @ Jezebels Full Concert.” Video of Metallica’s first show with Jason Newsted. Video quality is bad; the performance is breathtaking. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKd13jVxPrY&t=3278sVIDEO: Soundwave TV. “Slayer Interview: Soundwave TV 2011.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJRXU1gUqsYREADIN': “Readers’ Poll: The Top 10 Metal Bands of All Time.” Rolling Stone, 2 November 2011. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/readers-poll-the-top-10-metal-bands-of-all-time-13744/READIN': Singer, Quentin Thane. “The 38 Greatest Heavy Metal Bands.” Forbes. 28 September 2024. Online: https://www.forbes.com/sites/entertainment/article/metal-bands/READIN': “Top 50 Metal Bands of All Time.” Loudwire staff. 20 July 2016: https://loudwire.com/top-metal-bands-of-all-time/VIDEO: “Slayer at Sonisphere in Poland.” Posted 18 June 2010, by user NMETV. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-xieeESxTIVIDEO: “James Hetfield with Slayer.” Jeff patiently tolerates Jaymz. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z50PVHIM00EVIDEO: The Big Four — barely — jam together, playing "Am I Evil?" at Sofia, Bulgaria. The gave Dave Lombardo a drum. A drum. Barely. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__j5Z_WcVgENOT UNRELATED:Co-ed UK blackened thrash crüe Chupacabra, the 2023 Fortified With Ashes EP. Featuring Talkin' Slayer Riffmaster General SAVAGE Nige Savage⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠The new & improved & updated & embiggened book Ferris reads from every week, "Slayer 66 2 /3: A Metal Band Biography..., or, How Fkin' Slayer Kicked F*kin' @ss"⁠⁠⁠ — all four versions.If you want to buy an autographed copy of the new 4th edition of the book, reach out: ⁠⁠⁠⁠slayerbook@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ .Free listeners miss every other episode.Patreon supporters get an episode every week, plus more bonus Slaytanic content. Packages start at less than $1 an episode. Premiums include stickers, a shout-out on the show, and a free version of the audbiobook when it's finished.Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/SlayerBook⁠⁠⁠⁠ .If you want to drop some ducats in the virtual tip jar... or you'd rather make a one-time payment for a VIP all-access pass, you can do it at ⁠⁠⁠⁠ko-fi.com/slayerbook⁠⁠⁠⁠ .GRATITUDE.
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    50 mins
  • Talkin' Slayer, Episode 79: Christ Illusion and Its Wake... Half of Chapters 40 and 41

    Talkin' Slayer, Episode 79: Christ Illusion and Its Wake... Half of Chapters 40 and 41
    Jun 9 2025
    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 NOTESShownotes... things referenced in the show... mostly:Audio: From Christ Illusion: “Black Serenade,” original version.Audio: “Black Serenade,” take 2.Video: Slayer's Grammy-Winning "Eyes of the Insane"Audio: Slayer's Grammy-winning "Final Six"Video: Slayer live at Hammersmith, 2008. HD, up close & personal.Video: Ill Bill, “U.B.S. (Unauthorized Biography of Slayer).” THE BEST RAP SONG ABOUT SLAYER, PERIOD. (Not that there are many.)Video: Ill Bill's "Paul Baloff"Video: Tom Araya’s Grammy acceptance and discussion.Video: Jeff comments on the Grammy win.Podcast: From last year: my long, conversational review / analysis of Kerry King's debut album, From Hell I Rise.Official video: KK's "Toxic"Official video: KK's "Where I Reign"Official Video: KK talks about From Hell I RiseStuff you should have: Sacha Jenkins jammies at AmazonVideo: Jenkins talks Wu-Tang doc & more with SwayVideo: Open Mike Eagle's tribute to JenkinsVideo: The White Mandingos, Jenkins' rockin' rap band that features Darryl Jennifer of [the] Bad BrainsVideo: The trailer for Jenkins & Howie Abrams' Merciless Book of Metal ListsVideo: Brian Slagel reads from the Merciless BookVideo: Gary Holt testifies about the Merciless book⁠⁠Co-ed UK blackened thrash crüe Chupacabra, the 2023 Fortified With Ashes EP. Featuring Talkin' Slayer Riffmaster General SAVAGE Nige Savage⁠.⁠⁠The new & improved & updated & embiggened book Ferris reads from every week, "Slayer 66 2 /3: A Metal Band Biography..., or, How Fkin' Slayer Kicked F*kin' @ss"⁠⁠ — all four versions.If you want to buy an autographed copy of the new 4th edition of the book, reach out: ⁠⁠⁠slayerbook@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠ .Free listeners miss every other episode.Patreon supporters get an episode every week, plus more bonus Slaytanic content. Packages start at less than $1 an episode. Premiums include stickers, a shout-out on the show, and a free version of the audbiobook when it's finished.Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/SlayerBook⁠⁠⁠ .If you want to drop some ducats in the virtual tip jar... or you'd rather make a one-time payment for a VIP all-access pass, you can do it at ⁠⁠⁠ko-fi.com/slayerbook⁠⁠⁠ .GRATITUDE.
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    45 mins
  • Bonus Episode: The International Day of Slayer Origin Story, Plus the Most Infamous Show

    Bonus Episode: The International Day of Slayer Origin Story, Plus the Most Infamous Show
    Jun 6 2025

    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 commemorate, enjoy these rerun chapters about...

    1) The origins of this most momentous holiday. And...

    2) Slayer's most infamous show. Manic fans tore up part of the Madison Square Garden complex, then known as the Felt Forum. They couldn't play the city's biggest venue for years afterward.

    As an emerging major-label band, Slayer invoked a true mania. What was Slayer capable of at the height of their powers? Get a taste of what separated the group from the rest of the pack.

    An angry Tom Araya onstage is a thing of wonder. The new version of the book has an index entry devoted to it.

    This episode includes some preliminary content about Rubinology, the study of Rick Rubin & his work.

    VIDEO: Slayer, live in NYC, at the Felt Forum, 1988.

    The world's most dangerous band was in the great city in the world, and they weren't playing for Letterman.

    Come back Monday for a long, updated episode about Christ Illusion, the classic lineup's reunion album.

    GRATITUDE.


    ...click below for...

    ⁠⁠The new & improved & updated & embiggened book Ferris reads from every week, "Slayer 66 2 /3: A Metal Band Biography..., or, How Fkin' Slayer Kicked F*kin' @ss"⁠⁠ — all four versions.

    If you want to buy an autographed copy of the new 4th edition of the book, reach out: ⁠⁠⁠slayerbook@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠ .

    Free listeners miss every other episode.

    Patreon supporters get an episode every week, plus more bonus Slaytanic content. Packages start at less than $1 an episode. Premiums include stickers, a shout-out on the show, and a free version of the audbiobook when it's finished.

    Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/SlayerBook⁠⁠⁠ .

    If you want to drop some ducats in the virtual tip jar... or you'd rather make a one-time payment for a VIP all-access pass, you can do it at ⁠⁠⁠ko-fi.com/slayerbook⁠⁠⁠ .

    MO' GRATITUDE.
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    22 mins
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