Artist: Slayer
Venue: Santander Arena (Reading, PA)
Opener: Lamb Of God, Anthrax, Behemoth, Testament
Date: 6/4/2018
Label: Nuclear Blast Records

As you’re probably fully already aware, the legendary Thrash Metal band Slayer is putting their career to bed and is going out in style with a “Final Tour” that finds the bands Lamb of God, Anthrax, Behemoth and Testament coming along for the run. If you’ve somehow missed any of our “Upcoming Tours” notices about their last go-round please click HERE to know the full scoop so we can continue along together with as much of the same information as possible. The tour seemed to be skipping the NYC region entirely and instead would set down at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut and the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ but with a my scheduling being locked in with the annual Book Expo and The Book Con along with the Five Points Festival, I had to pass on these shows and instead brave a new adventure by heading to Reading, PA for the show that was taking place at the Santander Arena. It would be my very first time heading to this arena and it was something like 125 miles away from my home base. The advance weather report was bleak, but the day turned out nice for a lengthy drive and with good company and a couple of stops for eats along the way my media companion and I arrived at the arena shortly before the doors had opened. With the show starting early there were scores of fans lined up waiting to get inside. This is always a sight that I like to see when I go to multiple band bills like this one. Testament would be starting off this leg of the tour and they are always a solid experience. Let’s review.

Testament: I always love a Testament show because they are just one of the tightest Metal bands on the planet today. For the final Slayer run they would be continuing their “Brotherhood Of The Snake” tour but the early start time meant a very abbreviated set list from the Thrashers. The band hit the ground running with their first number and guitarist Skolnick was shredding like a madman while singer Billy screamed and rallied the fans that were already inside the arena. Sadly it wasn’t packed just yet, but it was a weekday, and this was a super early set time which I can appreciate being a difficult thing to be on point for. The set was a strong one and featured some of the bands classic tunes which I still consider favorites. Hopefully Testament will be doing some co-headlining runs in the months post this touring cycle because I’d love to be able to enjoy a longer set from them. Behemoth was up next.

Testament Setlist: Brotherhood of the Snake, Rise Up, Practice What You Preach, The Pale King, Into the Pit, The New Order, Disciples of the Watch
Continue reading Slayer @ Santander Arena (6/4/2018) →