by Tarja Virmakari

Jeff Hanneman (January 31 1964 – May 2 2013), a founding member of SLAYER, contributed both lyrical and musical material to every SLAYER album and wrote the songs ‘Raining Blood’, ‘War Ensemble’, ‘South of Heaven’, ‘Mandatory Suicide’, ‘Chemical Warfare’, ‘Seasons in the Abyss’ and ‘Angel of Death’, which have been played at almost every SLAYER show. In early 2011, Hanneman contracted necrotizing fasciitis. Reports linked this illness with a spider bite he claimed to have received while in a friend’s hot tub. Jeff’s sudden death – caused by liver failure, on May 2, 2013 in a Southern California hospital near his home – shocked the entire Metal World.

On 31st January 2014, SLAYER paid tribute to Jeff on what would have been Jeff‘s 50th birthday: “Today would have been Jeff Hanneman’s 50th birthday, presenting us with another reminder of how much we all miss him since he passed last May 2. The entire Slayer family appreciates the fans’ tributes and recognition of the trails Jeff blazed in thrash metal and the songs he wrote that defined a genre. We – the fans, the press, the Slayer family – know what Jeff’s accomplishments were, we know the long-lasting effect his talent will continue to have on young musicians just starting their careers. Jeff Hanneman belongs to US, the rebels, the misfits, the mavericks, the ones who go left when everyone else goes right, the ones who push against the grain and introduce real change into the world – just like Jeff did…”

During these last few days many great musicians and Jeff’s colleagues and friends, from different metal genres, have shared with us, at Metal Shock Finland, their memories and thoughts of him (please read below). They gave their tributes and expressions of love and respect to Jeff and his great music, which remains alive in our hearts, as a testimony of a Man Who Loved Music and who inspired so many musicians of today and tomorrow, and for many generations to come… R.I.P. Jeff Hanneman! \m/

Piotr “Peter” Wiwczarek, vocals & guitarist (VADER): “Jeff is always in my heart! We give our tribute to Jeff each time we play Raining Blood.”

Mike Benetatos, guitarist (ATTACKER): “The very first time I heard Jeff’s playing and Slayer for that matter was the song HELL AWAITS!!! I was a young kid learning how to play along with a friend of mine, when he put on the “Hell Awaits” album it blew my mind… I had just fallen in love with Mercyful Fate and was loving the darker side of metal. And this album is a staple of Brutal Dark Metal!!!! I was immediately a die hard Slayer fan and have been ever since.  A night I’ll never forget is Slayer live at L’amour in Brooklyn!!! one of the most intense shows I’ve ever witnessed. I was standing right in front of Jeff the whole night and it was life changing to say the least!!!!! R.I.P. Jeff you are truly and absolutely loved and missed!!!!!!!!!!”

Rick Rozz, guitarist (MASSACRE): “The song “Honor The Fallen”, included in our latest album “Back From Beyond”, IS our Tribute to the Late and Great Mr. Jeff Hanneman, Rest In Peace!”

Honor The Fallen -lyrics: Hail the valor, the sacrifice was made, Only the dead have seen the true end, A legacy built by years of memories, Suffering so tragic to always remind / The shock of this is so unreal, To mourn this loss would be unjust, We celebrate the inspiration that was given, To always honor the fallen / All you created will always live on, Those impacted would never have been, Force of essence will never be destroyed, Even though sadness flows deep inside / The final vision in exile, The thought so hard to believe, Pay back the praise for all the years, Your cult built to the extreme, Disciple gone but not forgotten, Your bloodline never will cease … To forever rule in blood, Prepare for the guardian of death, In the equinox of the abyss, At sunrise you shall sleep…

Shane Embury, bassist (NAPALM DEATH): “I didn’t really know Jeff at all, only meeting him briefly once and although his influence on the metal scene is undeniable and I for one owe it to Slayer as well as a lot of other bands for Planting me on the righteous path to all things heavy! It’s sad that he had to go before his time like so many others ! this Music business can chew you up with it’s lifestyle I think if you are not too careful unfortunately.R.I.P. Jeff! \m/”

Mike LePond, bassist (SYMPHONY X): “I wish I could tell Jeff Hanneman how he changed my life. I remember at age 19, waiting for 7 hours outside Studio 54 in New York to see Slayer along with Venom and Exodus. I HAD to be the first in line for what was going to be the greatest night of my life! Jeff’s riffs still inspire me to this day. Anything I write has been touched by his genius. Slayer has influenced more metal bands than anyone, and Jeff is the true godfather of death metal. Period, end of story.”

Andreas “Gerre” Geremia, vocals (TANKARD): “We will never forget one of the biggest thrash metal songwriter ever. R.I.P Jeff!”

Dan “Chewy” Mongrain, guitarist (VOIVOD): “Jeff was a genuine musician, writing music without compromises. Unique sounding riffs that influenced tons of musicians and twisted guitars solos which could destabilized every cells in your body. A true warrior and I’ve heard he was a super nice guy on top of it! He lives through his music forever in our hearts! Cheers Jeff!”

Steve Smyth, guitarist (ONE MACHINE, ex-TESTAMENT): “I met Jeff a few times in my time with Testament, never really spoke much, I guess that was his way, but man, his music was always highly inspiring and influential on me in my early years of playing, through to his recent passing. There is a special dark vibe to his playing that you literally feel_, a real sense of evil in those songs he wrote, that make you feel what’s being sung with every note he played. RIP Hanneman.” 

Exo, guitarist (NOCTEM): “Jeff was an awesome musician, he created the Slayer sound which is pretty particular and original; he was not that typical guitarrist playing the most difficult solos in the world; but he was a creator; a true artist that for sure will remain forever.”

Ashmedi, vocals & guitarist (MELECHESH): “Jeff Hanneman, first I saw him talk was on a thrash metal special he sounded like such a baby, yet on stage he looked so evil with his Les Paul guitar with chains. During gulf war number one my family escaped Jerusalem to Miami, thank u Bush #1 and Saddam because of them I got to see Slayer on the Seasons Of The Abyss -tour, Testament was opening. Kerry King looked cool with his ridiculously long spikes made out of nails and Jeff Hanneman even cooler with his Motocross long boots with knee pads, he looked like a thrashing cyborg. Killer show. He wrote as well some serious riffs.”

Danyael Williams, bassist (KILL RITUAL, ex-DARK ANGEL): “I remember that first day I met Jeff was before Slayer released their first record in 1981, at a Savage Grace and Witch show and we all sat around drinking Coors Light and Heineken talking about how L.A. is going to start it’s own Bay Area Thrash scene and give them a run for their money. I became a friend to the Slayer guys after that night and spent some time with Jeff and Tom whenever they were playing with my friends. We all had a great sense of humor and fun times when we got together always. He is one of the old time friends that I will never forget. Always willing to be friendly to whom ever.”

Simon Johansson, guitarist (WOLF): “Slayer actually didn´t get my attention until I bought ’South of Heaven’ when it was released in 1988. But man, they sure got my attention with that album. The legendary opening riff in the title track is genius and is kind of the ’Smoke on the Water’ riff of extreme metal. Slayer was way more extreme than most bands I listened to at the time and I really love that their music always has a sinister and evil feeling to it. No bullshit, just straightforward, bone crushing, illwill, sinister metal. Jeff Hanneman is to me the guy who wrote the best songs and his way to create simple yet amazing riffs is something I really admire. I mean, he is responsible to songs like ’South of Heaven’, ’Angel of Death’, ’Raining Blood’, ’War Ensemble’ and my absolute favorite Slayer song ’Dead Skin Mask’. That song is just amazing. Besides the songs mentioned there are a ton of other killer tracks bearing Jeff´s name and I can probably fill an entire page of titles with them…hahaha!! Riff maestro would be a good title as I see it. I was really sad to hear of his passing and it felt like it was way, way too early. When I heard about the spider bite and that he was ill I never could imagine it would end like this. Such a loss. The music scene really lost a big songwriter and a pioneer in the extreme metal scene. I will always remember his music and Slayer will always be one of my favorite bands. But I´m glad to hear that they will release a new album in 2015 and the choice of bringing in Gary Holt from Exodus to fill Jeff´s spot is great, I can´t see any other guy doing this and I´m sure Slayer will honor the memory of Jeff in the very best way when this new album is out. They have already done that touring with Gary. I´m pretty sure Jeff enjoys it all from South of Heaven!”

Carl Stjärnlöv, guitarist (DIABOLICAL): “I was actually slow to understand the greatness of Slayer, but when I finally got it I have kept coming back to them. I have some Slayer related memories like spontaneously playing “Raining Blood” live without having rehearsed the song at all. It didn’t end particularly well. Needless to say the legacy left by Jeff Hanneman is one of a kind.”

Csaba Zvekan, vocals (EXORCISM): “JEFF HANNEMAN and his SLAYER back in the days when “Reign in Blood” and “Seasons in the Abyss” was in our CD players as a permanent media. I remember looking at the artwork a bit scared and curious at the same time. Was it allowed to like this sort of product I wondered. Jeff certainly was an important influence. And having played later a tour with a SLAYER drummer was also a very cool thing to do.”

Andrea “Andy” Martongelli, guitarist (ARTHEMIS): “What can I say about the mighty Jeff Hanneman?…Well he’s always been a big influence on me from his stage presence to his insane guitar riffs, the whole SLAYER music is still something epic for me and billions of Metal fans in the world…and I could carry on forever. Saw Slayer for the very first time in 2005 at Metalcamp Festival, in Slovenja after our performance on the second stage. I was totally amazed by his abso-fuc**n’-lutely tight riffing and the terrific wall of sound they delivered! A true punch in my face that I will never forget and one the greater guitar lessons of my life. R.I.P. mighty Jeff!”

Trevor, vocals (SADIST): “Jeff Hanneman was the father to all of us who play extreme music. His Slayer riffs are a part of the story, from South Of Heaven to Angel Of Death, among many others. The Loss of Jeff was a huge loss for Metal, and his music remains indelible and immortal. If I have to name the perfect pair of guitarists, the only right and proper pairing is Hanneman-King, with their screaming solos. Jeff invented a new genre, a different conception of playing Heavy Metal. With one guitar riff he was capable to unleash hell in the most violent mosh. I think in all honesty that, in spite of the fact that music over the years has got faster, more extreme and brutalized, no one will ever reach his level: evil, darkness, psychopathy, anxiety and restlessness. Hanneman and Slayer have materialized the Evil in music. R.I.P. JEFF – STAY BRUTAL!!”

Tommy Massara, guitarist (EXTREMA): “We’ve had the chanche to open for Slayer twice, the first time was May 7, 1987 when we were invited to open for Slayer at their Show of the Reign In Blood Tour in Milan, at that time everybody in Extrema was a Slayer Die Hard fan, our soundtrack in those days was the incredible masterpiece “Reign in Blood”. After the show we had the chanche to share some time with the Guys to take pictures and to talk, Jeff was my hero in the band. The second time was at the Tattoo the Planet in 2001. I’d like to think that now Jeff is sharing some music and beers with Dime Darrel in a better place, you will not be forgotten, R.I.P. Jeff!”

Simon Geurts, bassist (LORD VOLTURE): “When you say Jeff Hanneman, you say Slayer. I was pretty new to metal when I got my first Slayer CD and still remember that moment very well. Exploring the genre, several people told me to definately check out Slayer, “…because they are legendary and a musthave!” Since it was the mid-90’s, there were plenty albums to pick from, so I asked the guy at the record store for advice. Without hesitation he popped in “Reign in Blood” and handed me the headphones. It gave me instant chills hearing those killer riffs and Jeff’s iconic chaotic solo’s for the first time! It was like nothing I’d ever heard before and left me flabbergasted and grinning from ear to ear, probably looking like a fool to the other customers. From that moment on I agreed: Slayer is legendary and a must have!!!”

Kenn Jacobsen, bassist (NOW OR NEVER, ex-PRETTY MAIDS): “I am a huge fan of Slayer, I love their music as a kid and till now .. Jeff was a huge metal inspiration for me and 1000 of others … RIP Jeff!”

…Raining blood
From a lacerated sky
Bleeding its horror
Creating my structure
Now I shall reign in blood!…