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

D.X. Ferris
  • 4.7 (12)
  • MUSIC HISTORY
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

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.

  1. 5D AGO

    Jeff Hanneman's Birthday: Commemorative Rerun

    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 the polarizing Diabolus in Musica album. Diabolus was the last Slayer record that Jeff creatively dominated. In my Slayer fan surveys, Diabolus is fans least favorite, by A LOT — like 36% of fans say it's their least favorite. After this LP, Jeff's counts in the credits take a big dip for a long time. Was it the end of him as a creative force? And if so, was it because the chilly reception hurt his feelings. I take a look at the metrics-numbers-stats, break 'em down, and draw some conclusions. Unlike most of the episodes, this one was original material I researched for the podcast. Now it's one 12 bonus chapters in the audiobook. The best place to get the audiobook is SlayerBook.Bandcamp.com. It's other places too. Here's another episode about Jeff too. It's about his memorial. A lot of people said moving things about the man. TALKIN' SLAYER will return for season 4, probably in May. In the meantime, Season(s) 3 is exclusively for Patreon supporters. The newish 4th edition of my Slayer band biography, "Slayer 66 2/3: A Metal Band Biography... or, How F*kin' Slayer Kicked F*kin' @ss" was updated after the reunion, massively expanded, thoroughly overhauled, and rewritten so it's easier to read — both in format and writing style. Check it out at... SlayerBooks.com and / or The Ajna Offensive F[ARG]IN' SLAYER. JEFF RIP.

    23 min

  2. 12/14/2025

    Episode 88: The Slayer Audiobook Is Here, Plus We're Talkin' Jeff, We're Talkin' Kerry, and We're Talkin' More Kerry (mp3 @ 320)

    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: The new SLAYER 66 2/3... audiobook is here. I tell you all about it. Then you get some enhanced reruns... We talk Kerry King. We talk Jeff Hanneman. Then we talk Kerry King more. The SLAYER 66 2/3... audiobook features 12 bonus chapters that are not in the book itself. (The book features 72 chapters, so that's a fair amount of bonus material.) You can get it cheap at... SlayerBook.Bandcamp.com ... Use the code cyberslayage for 25% off its already-low price. At 6623 Press / Möstly Thîngs Audiö, OUR PRICES ARE INSANE... CRIMINALLY! You want this EPIC METAL SAGA ready to go on your phone for your holiday commute. Don't get caught in a snowstorm at the airport without it. Anyhow... ⁠⁠Click here for the new & improved & updated & embiggened book Ferris reads from every episode, "Slayer 66 2 /3: A Metal Band Biography..., or, How Fkin' Slayer Kicked F*kin' @ss"⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — all four versions. TALKIN' SLAYER is deeply researched, written, rewritten, mostly rehearsed, lightly edited, and ad-free, with a little production value. 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 . You can order autographed books here, or pre-order the audiobook. GRATITUDE.

    2h 7m

  3. 09/29/2025

    The Hershey Show Was Fire… Episode 87: A Long Report From the Slayer Mini-Fest

    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 kick-@ss featured sets by Exodus, the Cavalera Conspiracy, Power Trip, Suicidal Tendencies, Knocked Loose, and F.N. Slayer. And I tell ya all about it. Get ready for the sights, the sounds, the scene, the smells, and all the hot sensations. This is a long episode, nearly 60 minutes. If you just want to hear the Slayer part, jump to the 29-minute mark. This week, Ferris is not reading from his newly, extensively overhauled and expanded Slayer book, "Slayer 66 2/3: A Metal Band Biography... or, How F*kin' Slayer Kicked F*kin' @ss," which is available in three different lengths / sizes, plus a mostly-color ebook. In most of the other episodes, that's what he does. Mostly. This is the final episode of Talkin’ Slayer, Season 2. We’ll return with season Four in early 2026. And when we do, we might not be on Spotify, because of Spotify’s various and sundry f*kery and assorted acts of f@keration. So keep your antenna up. You can keep updated for free at Patreon: Patreon.com/SlayerBook Until season 4, Patreon supporters can hear season 3, weekly, for less than $1 an episode. Until now, free listeners got every other episode. For season 3, free listeners get none. DEEZ NOTES... things referenced in the show PHOTOS: Like 80 pictures I took at the show, randomly shuffled VIDEO: Slayer's full set VIDEO: Exodus' set... some VIDEO: Cavalera Conspiracy's full set VIDEO: Power Trip's full set VIDEO: Suicidal's full set VIDEO: Knocked Loose's full set AUDIO: Exodus' Let There Be Blood, a re-recording of Bonded, featuring Rob Dukes on vocals AUDIO: ⁠Let There Be Blood album on Spotify⁠ AUDIO: Knocked Koose’s “Mistakes Like Fractures” VIDEO: Slayer cover Exodus' "Strike of the Beast" in 2013 ⁠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. 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 . You can order autographed books here, or pre-order the audiobook. GRATITUDE.

    57 min

  4. 08/04/2025

    Talkin' Slayer, Episode 85: The Great Hanneman Gear Grab, b/w This Is the End... Mostly. Plus What Comes Next.

    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 Patreon supporter, this is pretty much the end of Talkin' Slayer, Season 2: New Sh*t Has Come To Light. The episode wraps with some details on what's next in coming months. Plus a few words of gratitude and memoriam for friends past and present. Chris McMaster and Walter Novak RIP. DEEZ NOTES, as referenced in the show: Slayer's classic "War Ensemble" video, featuring Jeff's Punk Rock Jackson guitar. What I'd give for a full video of the show. Slayer's "Bloodline" video. Tween shredder phenomenon Maya Neelakantan tells how Kathryn Hanneman gave her one of Jeff's guitars. Broken Hope's "The Meek Shall Inherit Sh*t," one of the songs written & performed with Jeff Hanneman guitars, from the Mutilated and Assimilated album. Jeremy Wagner talks about the Jeff Hanneman Guitar Estate, plus his influence. Hanneman talks to an ESP video crew. You've seen this before. It bears repeating. Spotify: Me on the Booked on Rock podcast, with host and strong dude Erich Senich. It's a Slayer 101 talk, runtime 39:00. Apple: Me on the Booked on Rock podcast, with host and strong dude Erich Senich. It's a Slayer 101 talk, runtime 39:00. Me on the Bleachmouth Postscript podcast, talking about my top 5 Slayer songs, plus plenty of unrelated stuff, from research citations to Mad Magazine. Runtime about 2 hours. Larry's most metal band, Persistent Aggressor. The Walter Novak photo book. Joel McIver's Cliff Burton biography. ALSO, ALSO... Want to support the show and / or book? Here's three ways: Get it from a cool indie outlet like the Ajna Offensive, which specializes in metal, true crime, and occultism. ⁠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. 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 . You can order autographed books here, or pre-order the audiobook. GRATITUDE.

    30 min

  5. 07/21/2025

    Episode 83: Show Reports... Live From Quebec, but Mostly London

    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 AWAITS!! It's read by your pal Ferris, who provides some additional commentary. ALSO... Video: The entire London set: Not pro shot, sound muffled, but very up-close. Video: The entire London set: Worse sound, not as close, not bad tho. Video: Live in Quebec: "Die by the Sword" and "Hell Awaits." Sound isn't great; awesome nonetheless. And that stage show! Video: Playlist comp of all the Quebec clips that were available of this posting. ALSO, ALSO... 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. 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.

    24 min

  6. 07/04/2025

    Episode 66608 / 81.5: Mini-sode Recap of Slayer's First Live Show of 2025, Plus...

    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 on what comes next. And 3) commentary on it all. DEEZ NOTES, as referenced in the show: One Slaytanic playlist of pretty much the entire Cardiff show, plus all other video available at the moment, including alternate angles and takes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udwtTElHXPM&list=PLAnZUI4s4LrJHDgS-7EObx_eikCoGeIOu Episode 61 of Talkin' Slayer, in which I recapped the band's first reunion show, in Chicago, 2024. https://open.spotify.com/episode/2zz29hNdcHJGBytpiPscXv?si=1fbea994fd244fdf #Slayer #Cardiff #Wales #CardiffGiant #BackToTheBeginning #BlackSabbath #Sabbath #Slayer2025 ⁠⁠⁠⁠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. 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.

    12 min

  7. 06/23/2025

    Episode 81: Talkin’ the Big Four Bands... Advanced Thrash Metrics and Career Comparisons & the First Concerts

    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_Q VIDEO: “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=3278s VIDEO: Soundwave TV. “Slayer Interview: Soundwave TV 2011.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJRXU1gUqsY READIN': “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-xieeESxTI VIDEO: “James Hetfield with Slayer.” Jeff patiently tolerates Jaymz. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z50PVHIM00E VIDEO: 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_WcVgE NOT 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.

    50 min

  8. 06/09/2025

    Talkin' Slayer, Episode 79: Christ Illusion and Its Wake... Half of Chapters 40 and 41

    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 Shownotes... 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 Rise Stuff you should have: Sacha Jenkins jammies at Amazon Video: Jenkins talks Wu-Tang doc & more with Sway Video: Open Mike Eagle's tribute to Jenkins Video: The White Mandingos, Jenkins' rockin' rap band that features Darryl Jennifer of [the] Bad Brains Video: The trailer for Jenkins & Howie Abrams' Merciless Book of Metal Lists Video: Brian Slagel reads from the Merciless Book Video: Gary Holt testifies about the Merciless book ⁠ ⁠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.

    45 min
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4.7
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About

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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