Slayer split from Rick Rubin

Slayer have split with producer Rick Rubin for the release of their first album without Jeff Hanneman.

They’ve signed to Nuclear Blast for the upcoming title, ending a relationship with Rubin’s American Recordings that started 28 years ago with the launch of 1986 classic Reign In Blood.

Before the death of co-founding guitarist Hanneman last year, colleague Kerry King had said Rubin was behind delays to their next studio project. He reported: “The hold-up now, as with everything we ever do, it seems like Rick Rubin changes distributors. We’re left in limbo until he lands somewhere.”

At the time King wanted to keep working with the eccentric deskman, who’d previously been identified as a source of frustration for ZZ Top, Slipknot and Crosby, Stills And Nash.

Now Slayer frontman Tom Araya says: “Rick has played a huge role in our career – we’ve made some great albums with him.

“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.”

The band – completed by stand-in guitarist Gary Holt and full-time drummer Paul Bostaph – have just released Implode, their first studio track in five years.

They’re expected to complete studio duties later this year, after an appearance at Sonisphere in July. The album will be launched via their own imprint, yet to be named.

In 2011 ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons hailed Rubin’s work on what would be their album La Futura, but admitted: “The band is wondering, ‘When is this thing? When do we hear it?’” Graham Nash accused the producer of ruining an abandoned CSN album and Slipknot’s Corey Taylor said he’d never work with him again.

Tony Iommi spoke highly of the production on acclaimed Black Sabbath comeback album 13 but said of Rubin: “What a strange guy!”

Freelance Online News Contributor

Not only is one-time online news editor Martin an established rock journalist and drummer, but he’s also penned several books on music history, including SAHB Story: The Tale of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, a band he once managed, and the best-selling Apollo Memories about the history of the legendary and infamous Glasgow Apollo. Martin has written for Classic Rock and Prog and at one time had written more articles for Louder than anyone else (we think he's second now). He’s appeared on TV and when not delving intro all things music, can be found travelling along the UK’s vast canal network.

Latest in
Vera Farmiga in 2021
The Conjuring star Vera Farmiga announces debut album with her heavy metal band The Yagas
'Emo' Ed Sheeran busking
Watch Ed Sheeran cover Chappell Roan's Pink Pony Club on the New York subway while disguised as an emo busker
A close-up shot of the Marshall Major IV on-ear headphones on a turquoise, blue and black background.
I’ve never seen the Marshall Major IV headphones this cheap before - get them for half price in Amazon’s big spring sale
Evanescence in 2025
Evanescence release new song Afterlife from Devil May Cry TV series soundtrack, have their next album in the works
Tony Banks
“You only have to hear the opening sweep to reach for your lighter and wave it in the air”: Tony Banks' greatest Genesis moments
The Horrors
Ghouls Aloud: The Horrors come back from the dead with "a dazzling nocturnal spectacle of sombre reflections and oozing catharsis"
Latest in News
Vera Farmiga in 2021
The Conjuring star Vera Farmiga announces debut album with her heavy metal band The Yagas
'Emo' Ed Sheeran busking
Watch Ed Sheeran cover Chappell Roan's Pink Pony Club on the New York subway while disguised as an emo busker
A close-up shot of the Marshall Major IV on-ear headphones on a turquoise, blue and black background.
I’ve never seen the Marshall Major IV headphones this cheap before - get them for half price in Amazon’s big spring sale
Evanescence in 2025
Evanescence release new song Afterlife from Devil May Cry TV series soundtrack, have their next album in the works
Bruce Dickinson in 2024 and a painting of William Blake in 1759
“This deluxe edition contains actual soil from the grave of William Blake”: Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson is releasing a comic book compilation with dirt from the resting place of one of England’s most famous poets
Steven Wilson in 2015 and Playboi Carti in 2025
“I’ve been touring around indie record stores, and I’ve yet to meet anyone who’s even heard of Playboi Carti”: Steven Wilson comments on chart battle with superstar rapper