Tom Araya: 'I'm Not Too Old To Listen To Slayer'

Tom Araya: "At My Age, I'm Not Too Old To Listen To Slayer"

posted Feb 10, 2007 at 11:06 PM by deathbringer. (49 Comments)

Band Photo: Slayer (?)

Chad Painter of The Other Paper recently conducted an interview with SLAYER bassist/vocalist Tom Araya. A few excerpts from the chat follow:

On being insprired to write "Eyes of the Insane", a song about an American soldier stationed in Iraq who kills himself following a nervous breakdown, after reading an article about the soldier in Texas Monthly:

"It disturbed me. It was something that was obviously on my mind. That night, I woke up in the middle of the night and started writing that song. When we got together the next day, I had to say something.

"When there's a subject like that that captures my heart, I really need to tell people. And I have a right to tell people. The song tells you everything. If you want, you can research it and get involved. Mental cases in the military are swept under the rug. War is not pretty, and soldiers can go psychotic. A lot of soldiers commit suicide - either before they get home or as soon as they get home. They knew he was having problems, and they left him alone for four or five days, which was long enough to kill himself. It's just so wrong. I felt strongly about it, and I wrote about it. You make your own opinion."

On the band's longevity:

"There was a point when we didn't release an album in three years. That's enough time for new kids to grow up and discover the band. We've given the scene a few years to gain an audience."

On whether metal is something you grow out of when you get older:

"At my age, I'm not too old to listen to SLAYER. People half my age are calling themselves old men already. Music is music. It doesn't matter how old you are, you should be able to appreciate it. You don't need to head-bang or mosh, but you can enjoy metal without doing that. It's all in your head."

Source: Blackmetal.com

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49 Comments on "Tom Araya: 'I'm Not Too Old To Listen To Slayer'"

1. metal 2 death writes:

haha "You don't need to head-bang or mosh, but you can enjoy metal without doing that. It's all in your head" true f***in words

# Feb 10, 2007 @ 11:42 PM ET | IP Logged

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2. METALLICMOLINA writes:

SAYER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

# Feb 10, 2007 @ 11:45 PM ET | IP Logged

3. Wrath_5316 writes:

Well spoken tom! SLAYER!!

# Feb 11, 2007 @ 12:02 AM ET | IP Logged

Supporter

4. Bastard_Of_Bodom writes:

lol I was at the hamilton ontario show and i swear to god i was sitting with my friends and we saw a little old lady down in the pit area and when thine eyes bleed came out she was head bangin, she was 79 in the f***in pit at a slayer show

# Feb 11, 2007 @ 12:24 AM ET | IP Logged

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5. Skript writes:

Slayer is god

# Feb 11, 2007 @ 7:00 AM ET | IP Logged

6. Diamond Oz writes:

God damn I love Slayer.

# Feb 11, 2007 @ 7:05 AM ET | IP Logged

7. dmasa writes:

true

# Feb 11, 2007 @ 12:37 PM ET | IP Logged

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8. Azazel_Begotten writes:

Araya is so damn right. I have this neighbor whos almost 80, and he goes to Metal concerts. I hear him play Hendrix on guitar, and he even lent me 2 of his guitars to play. The guy is awesome. Age isn't a factor, but I swear, when I get old, I'm gonna still be moshing though.

# Feb 11, 2007 @ 2:48 PM ET | IP Logged

9. Diamond Oz writes:

When I'm old I wanna take my wheelchair into the pits!

# Feb 11, 2007 @ 3:18 PM ET | IP Logged

10. DeathInEye writes:

I'm not old, but I'm in a wheelchair, and I DO take it into the pits!

# Feb 11, 2007 @ 5:39 PM ET | IP Logged

11. Diamond Oz writes:

Haha! That's metal man!

# Feb 11, 2007 @ 5:42 PM ET | IP Logged

12. Zero Tolerance writes:

lol, I saw an old woman who must have been 80, at a Black Label Society concert, wearing a BLS shirt. It was f***ing awesome. I also saw an old man who must have been 65 at a Morbid Angel show!

# Feb 11, 2007 @ 6:41 PM ET | IP Logged

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13. Azazel_Begotten writes:

Yeah man! I'd break my artificial hip and everything! Get my dentures knocked out, get hit in my pacemaker. Have a nice moshpit heart attack and die with the horns up! sh**, when I'm dead, I hope rigor mortis makes my hands do the horns, thats how I wanna be seen before I'm cremated, and my friends are gonna have my canine teeth, and my middle fingers around their necks as necklaces. I want a Metal concert for my funeral! And the guys are gonna be drinking out my skull, and smoking my ashes thru a hukah

# Feb 11, 2007 @ 9:04 PM ET | IP Logged

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14. Azazel_Begotten writes:

Honestly, I think we need more old people in the sh**e! I mean, look at Ozzy for crying out loud!

# Feb 11, 2007 @ 9:05 PM ET | IP Logged

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15. Rue writes:

Metal IS for everybody...as Mr. Araya and the rest of you pointed out \m/
Good to see people recognizing and appreciating that.

I remember going to an Anthrax show, and the most aggressive guy there was in a wheelchair. He was pushing people out of the way on his journey to the front railing. Haha he wasn't stopping for ANYBODY.

I was at an NJ hardcore show several years ago, and a midget was hanging out around the edges of one of the pits. Somebody [I'm guessing one of his friends..] picked him up by the wrists and started swinging the dude around the pit.

# Feb 12, 2007 @ 11:02 AM ET | IP Logged

16. Alex.... writes:

I completly agree with Tom on that one!

# Feb 12, 2007 @ 1:44 PM ET | IP Logged

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17. Azazel_Begotten writes:

I hope I live long enough to talk to the generations about when Metal was awesome...

# Feb 12, 2007 @ 3:42 PM ET | IP Logged

18. ZT writes:

When I die, I want "Highway To Hell" played at my funeral, cause that's were I'm goin for sure!! LOL

# Feb 12, 2007 @ 3:49 PM ET | IP Logged

19. ZT writes:

............Or is "Funeral Fog" a better fit for the occasion?

# Feb 12, 2007 @ 3:52 PM ET | IP Logged

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20. Azazel_Begotten writes:

I want 'Wolves Guard My Coffin' played at my funeral

Then my best friends wear my canine teeth and middle fingers as necklaces, They drink from my skull, and the rest of me is cremated and they smoke my ashes, or maybe they can eat my remains.

# Feb 12, 2007 @ 9:29 PM ET | IP Logged

21. DrtAnus writes:

The only assured peace is accomplished through destroyed enemies.
SLAYER!!!!! Semper FI!!!!!!!! DO or DIE!!!!!!

# Feb 13, 2007 @ 10:45 AM ET | IP Logged

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22. Azazel_Begotten writes:

DrtAnus, I don't think Slayer supports the Marines...

# Feb 17, 2007 @ 9:44 AM ET | IP Logged

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23. Azazel_Begotten writes:

Or at least, Slayer supports the system controlling Marines.

# Feb 17, 2007 @ 9:45 AM ET | IP Logged

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24. Azazel_Begotten writes:

*Holy shi7*

I mean *Slayer DOESN'T support the system controlling Marines

# Feb 17, 2007 @ 7:43 PM ET | IP Logged

25. the antihippy writes:

i want to die with the horns up, head broken from too much banging, covered in virgin blood, and wearing a tutu...... black of course!

# Feb 17, 2007 @ 10:36 PM ET | IP Logged

26. E-Rock writes:

tom speaks true, unlike kerry who just kinda opens his mouth. . . but I wanna die doin 120 in a black '69 Charger while blastin some old school Metallica or Nazareth and just launchin the car off a bridge or some $hit like that

# Feb 17, 2007 @ 11:42 PM ET | IP Logged

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27. Azazel_Begotten writes:

antihippy, mind telling me why you're gonna wear a tutu?

# Feb 21, 2007 @ 11:44 AM ET | IP Logged

28. ZT writes:

NAZARETH ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!

# Feb 21, 2007 @ 2:35 PM ET | IP Logged

29. Arnie writes:

All information about Google search engine and services you can find in our blog. Google Blog.

# Feb 23, 2007 @ 8:41 AM ET | IP Logged

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30. mindvenom13 writes:

Damned straight Tom!
Well said,stay real and Show No Mercy!

# Feb 28, 2007 @ 4:02 PM ET | IP Logged

31. LiquidMetal77 writes:

slayer is sick, but i like thine eyes bleed better. and metal is definitely for everyone.

# Feb 28, 2007 @ 6:36 PM ET | IP Logged

32. LiquidMetal77 writes:

i get the feeling that im gonna die in death row.

# Mar 2, 2007 @ 3:20 PM ET | IP Logged

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33. Azazel_Begotten writes:

I get the feeling that if I get big in Metal like I aspire to be, I'm gonna get gunned down like Dimebag. That actually is a weird premonition I've had for years, like the harder I strive to get big, its like I've got this dark feeling like I'm gonna have that crazed fan who's gonna kill me near the height of my successes....As much as I love Dime, Tupac, Jon Nodtveidt and the lot of great artists, I kinda enjoy breathing

# Mar 2, 2007 @ 10:11 PM ET | IP Logged

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34. slayerdisciple writes:

^thats why u fake ur death, u still enjoy breathin and u get free publicity, simply just adjust ur image and change ur name or adopt a stage name

# Mar 3, 2007 @ 2:33 AM ET | IP Logged

35. SNAKE writes:

METAL IS FOR EVERYONE, H*LL ROB HALFORD, IS OVER 50 AND STILL PERFORMING, HE'S OLDER THAN TOM SO I HOPE HE APPRECIATE WHAT HE DOES, ANYWAY METAL IS FOR EVERYONE, TOM SHOULD BE PROUD, HE'S IN THE BAND, AND THIS IS THE LEGACY HE CREATED SO, I WOULD BE PROUD, AND BY THE WAY, I'LL BE LISTINING TO THIS WHEN I'M OLD, I'M METAL FOR LIFE

# Mar 5, 2007 @ 12:39 AM ET | IP Logged

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36. Azazel_Begotten writes:

SNAKE, I'd so be rocking out til I die...

I'd love to be like 80-90 and still playin metal

# Mar 8, 2007 @ 7:09 AM ET | IP Logged

37. SNAKE writes:

METAL IS FOREVER

# Mar 8, 2007 @ 10:29 AM ET | IP Logged

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38. Azazel_Begotten writes:

Indeed SNAKE, INDEED...

# Mar 8, 2007 @ 2:55 PM ET | IP Logged

39. SNAKE writes:

AZAZEL, SPEAKING OUT ROCKING OUT, BACK TO POST 13, WHEN I'M OLD, IF I CAN'T WALK, I'LL BE DRUNK, AND RIDING IN MY HOVERROUND, IF I'M STILL WALKING, I'LL BE MOSHING, DRINKING CROWN ROYAL, WILD TURKEY, WOODFORD RESERVE, JACK DANIELS, OR JOHNNIE WALKER, THEN SLAM THE GLASS BOTTLE ON MY HEAD, I WOULD GO CRAZY, I PLAN ON BEING A MUSICIAN ANYWAY, SO WHO KNOWS WHAT I WOULD DO, CAUSE I'M LIKE OZZY, I GO CRAZY, I DO ANYTHING, BECAUSE IN THE METAL WORLD, IF YOU DO SOMETHING CRAZY, YOU'LL EITHER GET FAMOUS, FOR YOU ACT'S, OR EVEN GAIN POPULARITY

# Mar 8, 2007 @ 6:37 PM ET | IP Logged

40. LiquidMetal77 writes:

you sure about EVERYTHING snake?? ozzy ate someones sh*t on stage and manson sucked a guys d*ck on stage. i really cant see anyone else doing sh*t like that, but if you are that person, i hope you dont get ecoli from eating sh*t or aids from suckin c*cks lol!!

# Mar 8, 2007 @ 6:46 PM ET | IP Logged

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41. Azazel_Begotten writes:

LM77 puts an image in my head that I don't like...*shudder*

# Mar 8, 2007 @ 7:23 PM ET | IP Logged

42. SNAKE writes:

NAH, NOTHING TO DO WITH FECES, OR GAY'S, IF ANYTHING, I'D HAVE SEX WITH A GIRL ON STAGE

# Mar 8, 2007 @ 10:05 PM ET | IP Logged

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43. slayerdisciple writes:

^didnt the guy from rammestein do that?

# Mar 8, 2007 @ 10:13 PM ET | IP Logged

Writer, Reviewer

44. psythe writes:

LM, the sucking d*** thing is a rumour, I'm pretty sure all that actually happened was someone managed to get a dildo on-stage and it got blown out of proportion (excuse the pun). I heard the Ozzy eating bat one before, but never heard he ate sh!t??

# Mar 9, 2007 @ 5:44 AM ET | IP Logged

45. SNAKE writes:

OZZY WOULD DO ANYTHING, I HEARD HE ONCE TOOK A SH*T IN THE ELEVATOR, LICK UP NIKKI SIXX'S P*SS, BIT THE HEAD OFF A DOVE, ETC. OZZY'S THE MAN, NOW MANSON I NEVER HEARD OF HIM SUCKING D*CK ON STAGE, BUT I HEARD OF THE OZZFEST WHEN HE PUT HIS NUT'S ON THE SECURITY GUARD'S HEAD, HERE'S A COUPLE MORE FOR YA, IF YA'LL KNOW THE BAND MAYHEM, THESE GUY'S I GUESS KILLED THE VOCALIST WITH A SHOTGUN BLOWN INTO HEAD, THEN THIS IS THE PART I KNOW, THEY WEAR HIS, SKULL FRAGMENTS AND HIS TEETH AS NECKLACES, GOROGOTH, EITHER KILLED SOMEONE IN A RITUAL, OR BURNED A CHURCH, ONCE WHEN THEY WERE ON STAGE, THEY USED REAL BLOOD, IT COVERED THE STAGE, THERE WAS SOME IMPALED GOAT HEADS, AND PEOPLE CRUCIFIED ON STAGE, I CAN KEEP GOING BUT, HERE'S SOME STUNTS, THAT THESE ARTISTS PEFORMED, IN THE METAL WORLD, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE

# Mar 9, 2007 @ 7:30 PM ET | IP Logged

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46. Azazel_Begotten writes:

Yeah, but who WOULDN'T fvck a girl on stage?

Now biting off a bat's head? I'd do that, just to feed from the blood...

SNAKE, The frontman of Mayhem blew his own head away with a shotgun...Euronymous (who seems to answer prayers when you call upon his name) was killed by Varg Vikernes of Burzum (Varg is some stupid racist fag)...

# Mar 9, 2007 @ 9:39 PM ET | IP Logged

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47. slayerdisciple writes:

the only reason i dont like Varg is because he is a racist (i also hate his opinion on christianity) but im a big supporter of Burzum, SNAKE they did make several necklaces out of the singers skull but one was stolen and not too many people r sure where the other ones went, gorgoroth did cover the stage with blood but i dont think they crucified someone on stage and im pretty sure they never burned churches (though there singer supports them) that was left to samoth from emperor and varg

# Mar 10, 2007 @ 3:28 PM ET | IP Logged

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48. Azazel_Begotten writes:

I swear, people like Varg are what make me think some artists should keep their politics and beliefs to themselves...He's got good music, but he's such an ignorant bigot (as opposed to intellectual bigots? lol). He just went on about how all other races were irrelevant and how women should stay at home...

# Mar 10, 2007 @ 6:15 PM ET | IP Logged

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49. slayerdisciple writes:

^i agree i actually like burzum better then mayhem (except de mysteriis dom sathanas that was just as awesome as black metal can get), i respect him as a musician but i dont like his personality

# Mar 10, 2007 @ 10:20 PM ET | IP Logged

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Tom Araya: "At My Age, I'm Not Too Old To Listen To Slayer"

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