Big Four Thrash giants Slayer returned to London on Sunday night (6th July 2025) for their first show in six years in the British Capital. Brining along with them Anthrax, Amon Amarth, and a host of others, the open air event followed their appearance at Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne's historic 'Back to the Beginning' farewell the previous day.
Photo: Adrian Hextall Mindhex Media.
Slayer officially retired in 2019. eonmusic was there to see them take their final bows on a UK stage at Download Festival, in June of that year, bringing the curtain down on more than four decades as the heaviest of the Big Four. That really was it, and then, from out of nowhere, just as guitarist Kerry King was launching his own band, they were back, for a brace of shows in 2024 - three were originally planned, but adverse weather prevented their Louder Than Life festival appearance in Louisville, Kentucky - that included a headline slot at Aftershock Festival in Sacramento.
For whatever reason, it seems that holdout Tom Araya - bass / vocals - has softened his stance, and with that the band are sporadically active once more, and with an appearance at Black Sabbath's 'Back to the Beginning' on 5th July, two British shows were announced either side of it; one in Cardiff the night before, and one where we are this evening, at Finsbury Park in London, the the day after.
There are a lot of Sabbath and Ozzy shirts in the crowd as eonmusic arrives into the leafy London space, and as Anthrax take to the stage, even guitarist Scott Ian notices; "are you hungover from the Sabbath show?" he askes. With Joey Belladonna praising the crowd and seeming genuinely shocked at the rabid response that the New Yorkers are receiving, Ian concedes; "we were a little worried this would be anticlimactic after yesterday, but apparently not!"
And he's not wrong, for from the moment opener 'Among the Living' kicks in, until the final riffs of 'Indians' it's utter mayhem in the crowd. Focusing exclusively on their pre-1991 catalogue, the band rip through a set that offers a mosh-inducing frenzy that takes in 'Caught in a Mosh', 'I am the Law', and 'Got the Time'. This is vintage Anthrax in fierce form.
It's now been nine years since their last studio album ['For All Kings', 2016], but they take their bows promising to return soon with "something new".
For whatever reason, it seems that holdout Tom Araya - bass / vocals - has softened his stance, and with that the band are sporadically active once more, and with an appearance at Black Sabbath's 'Back to the Beginning' on 5th July, two British shows were announced either side of it; one in Cardiff the night before, and one where we are this evening, at Finsbury Park in London, the the day after.
There are a lot of Sabbath and Ozzy shirts in the crowd as eonmusic arrives into the leafy London space, and as Anthrax take to the stage, even guitarist Scott Ian notices; "are you hungover from the Sabbath show?" he askes. With Joey Belladonna praising the crowd and seeming genuinely shocked at the rabid response that the New Yorkers are receiving, Ian concedes; "we were a little worried this would be anticlimactic after yesterday, but apparently not!"
And he's not wrong, for from the moment opener 'Among the Living' kicks in, until the final riffs of 'Indians' it's utter mayhem in the crowd. Focusing exclusively on their pre-1991 catalogue, the band rip through a set that offers a mosh-inducing frenzy that takes in 'Caught in a Mosh', 'I am the Law', and 'Got the Time'. This is vintage Anthrax in fierce form.
It's now been nine years since their last studio album ['For All Kings', 2016], but they take their bows promising to return soon with "something new".
Photo: Adrian Hextall Mindhex Media
Amon Amarth follow, bringing with them their full production that includes central horned-helmet drum riser and a pair of towering Viking statues. The Swedes too are in fine form, delivering their patented brand of Viking Metal with conviction.
They may be sandwiched between two of the Big Four, but singer Johan Hegg isn't too big for his battle boots to pay homage to both bands; "In my wildest dreams when I was a kid I could not imagine sharing a stage with the mighty Anthrax and Slayer", he confesses; "It's always a pleasure to play in London, and tonight is no different."
Closing out their set with a rollocking 'Raise Your Horns' and thunderous 'Twilight of the Thunder God' they prove the perfect appetiser for the final act.
They may be sandwiched between two of the Big Four, but singer Johan Hegg isn't too big for his battle boots to pay homage to both bands; "In my wildest dreams when I was a kid I could not imagine sharing a stage with the mighty Anthrax and Slayer", he confesses; "It's always a pleasure to play in London, and tonight is no different."
Closing out their set with a rollocking 'Raise Your Horns' and thunderous 'Twilight of the Thunder God' they prove the perfect appetiser for the final act.
Photo: Adrian Hextall Mindhex Media
The best thing about a Slayer show in 2025 is that with no new album to promote, it's guaranteed to be packed with nothing but the good stuff. They start off strong with 'South of Heaven', easing things in with one of their best tracks that offers a more reasonable bpm, however it isn't long before things kick up a gear, with first 'Repentless', and then the demonic 'Disciple'.
With only a handful of shows played since their return, it would be easy to simply repeat the same set, but they've changed things up for the UK dates, even throwing in 'Seasons in the Abyss' deep cut 'Spirit in Black' which hasn't been aired since 2017. In fact, they play half of that album, with a blistering 'War Ensemble', the atmospheric title track', the demonic 'Dead Skin Mask', and a breakneck 'Born of Fire'.
Elsewhere, they touch on all eras of their career from their earliest days - 'Die By The Sword' - to their landmark 'Reign in Blood', a possessed 'Hell Awaits', and beyond.
There's also a treat for those who missed Back to the Beginning, as they reprise their cover of Black Sabbath's 'Wicked World' from the day before.
Closing out the show, as usual, with the perfect pairing of 'Raining Blood' - complete with pyrotechnics and appropriate red spark shower - and 'Angel of Death', the band take their final bows. "I want to thank you very much for coming tonight. Thanks for being part of my life. Thanks for letting us be part of your life", offers Araya, signing off.
A true celebration of the heavier end of the musical scale, the night was a celebration of metal's enduring legacy. Slayer’s reign meanwhile, remains unchallenged, and their place in the pantheon of metal gods is assured, whether they choose to continue or not.
With only a handful of shows played since their return, it would be easy to simply repeat the same set, but they've changed things up for the UK dates, even throwing in 'Seasons in the Abyss' deep cut 'Spirit in Black' which hasn't been aired since 2017. In fact, they play half of that album, with a blistering 'War Ensemble', the atmospheric title track', the demonic 'Dead Skin Mask', and a breakneck 'Born of Fire'.
Elsewhere, they touch on all eras of their career from their earliest days - 'Die By The Sword' - to their landmark 'Reign in Blood', a possessed 'Hell Awaits', and beyond.
There's also a treat for those who missed Back to the Beginning, as they reprise their cover of Black Sabbath's 'Wicked World' from the day before.
Closing out the show, as usual, with the perfect pairing of 'Raining Blood' - complete with pyrotechnics and appropriate red spark shower - and 'Angel of Death', the band take their final bows. "I want to thank you very much for coming tonight. Thanks for being part of my life. Thanks for letting us be part of your life", offers Araya, signing off.
A true celebration of the heavier end of the musical scale, the night was a celebration of metal's enduring legacy. Slayer’s reign meanwhile, remains unchallenged, and their place in the pantheon of metal gods is assured, whether they choose to continue or not.