Live Show: Slayer  
Place: Douglass Park, Chicago, USA 
Date: September 22nd, 2024 
Live Correspondent: Perry Denton 

SLAYER returned to the stage with a triumphant performance as headliners at Chicago’s Riot Fest, marking their first show in five years following their farewell world tour in 2019. The anticipation from the crowd was palpable, as thousands of fans from around the globe traveled to Illinois to enjoy live the band that defined the Thrash Metal genre!

There were five stages at Riot Fest in total (not all exclusively featuring Metal bands). The ones that mattered most to us were the Cabaret Metro Stage, where NEKROGOBLIKON, SPRINTS, GEL, MASTODON, LAMB OF GOD, and SLAYER performed, and the AAA Stage, featuring HUGE EUGE, SUNAMI, GWAR, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, and ROB ZOMBIE. Of course, our focus was on SLAYER’s performance, as it was the most important event of the weekend!

After Rob Zombie’s set on the adjacent stage, Rob tried to rally the audience to chant “Zombie! Zombie!” However, the fierce loyalty of the fans already there for SLAYER was clear. The chant of “Slayer! Slayer!” overpowered Rob Zombie’s crowd, creating an atmosphere full of tension and passion

SLAYER’s show started spectacularly, with a ten-minute documentary shown on the side screens, offering a glimpse into their rich history and undeniable impact on Metal music.

As the documentary came to an end, the intro to “Delusions of Saviour” echoed through the venue and the crowd roared with excitement as the band made their entrance! The first notes of “South of Heaven” played, and SLAYER made their grand return, plunging the audience into a Metallic frenzy! Next up was the rarely performed “Reborn,” adding a special touch to the set, further electrifying the fans!

The energy on stage was relentless throughout the show, with Tom Araya looking particularly refreshed and happy after the five-year break. Although the band showed a few moments of “rust,” like lyrics starting too early or a few guitar solos being slightly “off,” they still managed to keep the audience enthralled.

Their setlist was mostly a throwback to their 2018-2019 tours, except for the song “213” from the “Divine Intervention” album, which was a rare treat, especially for this festival.

As the show was close to its climax, giant inverted crosses burst into flames around the stage, signaling the intro of “Raining Blood.” The effects were stunning, with fireworks raining down over the crowd and the stage, giving the whole scene an eerie vibe. In a funny moment, one of the fireworks “rained” Tom Araya’s shoulder, making him think he was on fire, causing him to pat himself down for a few seconds to make sure he was okay!

The concert closed in the most triumphant way possible, with SLAYER performing “Angel of Death,” sending the crowd into a frenzy! With the last burst of music and energy, the stage lights came on, and Kerry King, along with Gary Holt, walked across the stage, tossing guitar picks into the crowd, while Paul Bostaph threw his drumsticks to the fans. Tom Araya, stayed behind to thank the crowd, offering a heartwarming moment as he brought his grandchildren on stage to share in the emotional experience. SLAYER’s return wasn’t just a performance, it was a true testament to why this band will forever remain legendary.

Live Correspondent: Perry Denton
Design, Editing & Text Correction: Alexandros Soultatos
Photos: Perry Denton
Videos: Perry Denton
External Links: RIOT FEST – Official Page
SLAYER – Official Page
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