Gary Holt calls Slayer’s last-ever show “a whirlwind of emotions"

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Slayer guitarist Gary Holt reflects on Slayer’s final show at The Forum in Los Angeles and thanks fans for their support

Slayer's Gary Holt
Slayer's Gary Holt (Image credit: Miikka Skaffari/FilmMagic - Getty)

Slayer guitarist Gary Holt has reflected on the band's final show and has called it “a whirlwind of emotions for all four of us.”

They brought the curtain down on their legendary career at The Forum in Los Angeles on Saturday night with an epic 20-track set, wrapping up with a blistering performance of Angel Of Death.

On Instagram, Holt thanks his bandmates, their crew and the fans – and also pays tribute to late Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman who died in 2013.

Holt says: “Now that the final show has come and gone, I just want to send a heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported me stepping into this monster called Slayer. 

“Last night was a whirlwind of emotions for all four of us. I want to thank Tom Araya, Paul Bostaph and Kerry King. I will miss so much more than just sharing a stage with you guys. 

"I’ll miss the jokes, the penalty shots for our onstage fuck-ups, the philosophical discussions, the fart jokes, the millions of laughs, the songs, the bus ride movies and more shots. Massive love to all three of you.”

Holt goes on to thank the Slayer crew who made their Final Campaign possible and adds: “To the Slayer fans, thanks for making me feel welcome, it’s been a special and magnificent metal journey. 

“Three epidurals, seven cortisone injections, trigger point injections, all to keep me in raging mode. Worth every second of the pain. Forever honoured to have been a part of this band.”

He adds: “But I never wanted this. Jeff Hanneman should have been there. I just held down the fort for him. And Lisa Holt, your support meant everything to me. Love you after forever. 

“And all my boys in Exodus, you are my family, and this wayward son is coming home! New Exodus is a world destroyer. See you in Europe in February!”

Check out Holt’s full post below.

Slayer recently released their concert film and short movie compilation The Repentless Killogy after it premiered in cinemas around the world at the start of November.

Now that the final show has come and gone, I just want to send a heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported me stepping into this monster called Slayer. Last night was a whirlwind of emotions for all four of us. I want to thank @tomarayaofficial , @paulbostaphofficial and KFK, Kerry Fucking King. I will miss so much more than just sharing a stage with you guys. I’ll miss the jokes, the penalty shots for our onstage fuck ups, the philosophical discussions, the fart jokes,the millions of laughs, the songs, the bus ride movies and more shots. MASSIVE love to all three of you. All at RSE, Rick Sales, @sassys8n , @ehgon , and @ndrewstuart . Always made me feel like part of the family. Our stellar crew, especially @sai_lhung_ , one of my best friends on this earth. RESPECT! RIP Aarmand . Mike Latronico, Pat Dickinson, @jraraya419 , John Goss, @norm.costa , Tim Quimby , @lost069 , @off_to_the_moon_studio_ , Anders Aho, @d_villain ,Tim Quimby, Erin O’rourke,Jager bear Paul Dinapoli , @thepig98 , Ashley Groom, Kevin Lehman, Rory, Paul and Keith our pyromaniacs,Josh, @brianlights , Rich Interlande, Jake Fraczek, Jason Lowe for keeping an eye on us. And @kygriller for joining me in this last run , love you brother , and Robb Philpotts @bigred_guitarsanddrums , and @geewilliea who also worked in my guitars for me. All did an outstanding job! @sandraarayaofficial and @slaywhore and Amy, much love to all of you.And anyone I forgot to mention, thanks!I thank @davelombardo , we had some great times together, day drinking and hunting for a good kebab!brother to me always! And to the Slayer fans, thanks for making me feel welcome, it’s been a special and magnificent metal journey. Three epidurals, seven cortisone injections, trigger point injections, all to keep me in raging mode. Worth every second of the pain. Forever honored to have been a part of this band. But I never wanted this. Jeff should have been there. I just held down the fort for him. And @lisaholt777 , your support meant everything to me. Love you after forever. And all my boys in Exodus, you are my family, and this wayward son is coming home! New Exodus is a world destroyer. See you in Europe in February! Gary Holt

A photo posted by @garyholt_official on Dec 1, 2019 at 7:54pm PST

Slayer: The Repentless Killogy

Slayer: The Repentless Killogy
As Slayer prepare to bring the curtain down on their legendary career, they bow out with this new release. Combing live footage with a short film, this is not to be missed.

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Scott Munro
Scott Munro
Louder e-commerce editor

Scott has spent 35 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in the summer of 2014 before moving into e-commerce in 2020. Scott keeps Louder’s buyer’s guides up to date, writes about the best deals for music fans, keeps on top of the latest tech releases and reviews headphones, speakers, earplugs and more for Louder. Over the last 10 years, Scott has written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog. He's previously written for publications including IGN, Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from daily news and weekly features, to tech reviews, video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, The Tragically Hip, Marillion and Rush.