Angry music? Its just therapy

CALIFORNIAN thrash metal band Slayer has a reputation for hard-rocking performances and controversial lyrics about evil and death.

So one would imagine Tom Araya, the band's frontman, to be as hostile as his band's aggressive music suggests. But in a phone interview with The New Paper from his home in Texas, Araya, 45, sounded nothing like his raging, devilish onstage persona. Instead, he came across as warm and friendly, with a wry sense of humour. For example, when asked what provides the fuel for his onstage aggression, he jokingly credited his wife Sandra. He met her at a Slayer show. 'She helps me stay angry!' he said. Sandra could be heard chuckling in the background.

Araya, who has two kids aged 7 and 10, added: 'Just kidding! It's the music. The minute we start playing it on stage, it carries you away. To me, it's a form of therapy, it releases a lot of tension.' Many Slayer detractors are also surprised when they find out that Araya, who also plays bass for the band, had a religious upbringing.'I don't have issues or question my faith. That's why I can do what I do,' he explained, when asked if his religion went against singing songs about the devil. '(Guitarist) Kerry (King) writes the songs… and as an artiste, if they are good songs, I will perform them.'

King and guitarist Jeff Hanneman, both 42, together with drummer David Lombardo, 41, who recently rejoined the band, complete Slayer's original line-up. The band will play its first-ever show here tonight, its only tour stop in South-east Asia. Slayer's latest album, Christ Illusion, which is available in stores here, has been compared to its 1986 masterpiece, Reign In Blood, which was regarded by many critics as the definitive thrash metal album of all time. However, its graphic album cover art and songs inspired by serial killers and warfare have led people to associate the 24-year-old band with all things bad.The band has even been described as the musical equivalent of horror movies. But Araya doesn't seem to mind. Asked to list his favourites in the horror genre, he named The Exorcist and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake. As for Asian horror films, he said he and his band members thought the Hollywood remake, The Grudge, was 'great', but admitted he has yet to catch the original version, Ju-On.

SLAYER'S DAY

Earlier this year, a group of fans dedicated 6 Jun as the National Day of Slayer. The date (6/6/06) coincided with the number 666, which is widely regarded to be the 'number of the beast'. A website was set up to encourage people to 'listen to Slayer at full blast' on that day. Coincidentally, Araya's birthday also falls on that date. 'It was cool to have everyone celebrating my birthday with me,' said Araya, who spent the special day with his family.

Source: here