Slayer Reveal First New Song Since Death of Guitarist Jeff Hanneman

Slayer have revealed new song ‘Implode’, their first new material since the death of guitarist Jeff Hanneman last year.

‘Implode’ is free to download from Slayer’s website and is the first new music from the band since 2009. Hanneman died in May last year at the age of 49 from cirrhosis of the liver. His stand-in Gary Holt continues to play and record with the band.

‘Implode’ was recorded in Los Angeles and is likely to feature on a new album, due for release in 2015. The new album is set to be released on the band’s own label through Nuclear Blast, marking the end of their relationship with Rick Rubin’s American Recordings.

“Rick has played a huge role in our career [and] we’ve made some great albums with him,” frontman Tom Araya said in a statement. “But today is a new day, record companies don’t play the kind of role they once did, and we really like the idea of going out on our own, connecting directly with our fans, and Nuclear Blast is fired up about taking on that challenge with us.”

Slayer will perform at Sonisphere 2014. The Knebworth bash was cancelled in 2013 and 2012 but returns this year with Iron Maiden and Metallica making their only UK festival appearances at the event. The Prodigy will headline the event on Friday, July 4.

Sonisphere 2014 will take place in Knebworth Park between July 4 and 6. Early bird tickets for the festival are available now priced £170.