Guitarist Gary Holt recently discussed the possibility of SLAYER returning while being interviewed by Australia’s “Scars And Guitars” podcast.
When asked what the most enjoyable part of SLAYER’s final tour was for him, Holt replied (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): “Just the amount of people that came out to see it, especially the amount of people who flew in for the final two shows was epic. And it was emotional. Tears were shed while playing ‘Angel Of Death’, and who would have ever thought that would happen? Who plays ‘Angel Of Death’ [while] trying to keep the tears at bay for the last fucking time? But it was an awesome, awesome, moving thing — an amazing part of my life.”
As for the possibility of SLAYER ever returning for more live shows, Holt said: “I highly doubt it… To my knowledge, it’ll never happen again. To my knowledge, I don’t know at the same time. Maybe someday someone just offers so much money that it changes people’s minds. But the band went out on a fucking super-high note, on top, and why sully that? I mean, we’ve already outlasted MÖTLEY CRÜE’s retirement. [Laughs] Well, theirs has gone a little longer because of the pandemic, but it took them — what? — a year to decide they’d tour again.”
Holt began playing with SLAYER in 2011, replacing guitarist Jeff Hanneman, and became the band’s full-time co-guitarist in 2013 while still remaining the guitarist for EXODUS, where he remains to this day.