SLAYER has revealed a special one-night-only performance as part of their limited headlining shows this summer. The band’s only East Coast concert in 2025 will take place at the 30,000-seat Hersheypark Stadium in Hershey, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, September 20, 2025. Pre-sale tickets will be available starting tomorrow, Tuesday, April 8 at 10 a.m. ET, with general sales opening on Friday, April 11 at 10 a.m. ET. Tickets can be purchased at www.slayer.net. Doors open at 3 p.m. ET, and the show will begin at 4 p.m. ET.
The event will be hosted by WWE superstar Damian Priest, a long-time SLAYER fan and well-known “metalhead.” Priest’s signature “finisher” is SLAYER’s “South Of Heaven,” and SLAYER guitarist Kerry King contributed to Priest’s “Rise For The Night” theme.
This exclusive concert will feature an epic lineup of legendary bands across multiple generations, including:
- SLAYER
- KNOCKED LOOSE
- SUICIDAL TENDENCIES
- POWER TRIP
- CAVALERA (performing SEPULTURA’s Chaos A.D. album in its entirety)
- EXODUS (performing Bonded By Blood album)
SLAYER’s bassist/vocalist Tom Araya commented, “Slayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyeeeeerrrrrr!!!!!! One night only, stacked lineup, it’s going to be f*cking sick!!!! Hersheypark — be there… If not, you’re either dead, in jail, or a sissy!!!!!”
Regarding performing at Hersheypark Stadium, SLAYER guitarist Kerry King shared, “Last year, SLAYER played only two shows, and those shows hit me like the ‘Big Four’ shows did. When we played our first show in Chicago, I thought it’d be great for the fans, but the reaction was overwhelming. They treated us like the biggest band on the planet. It was incredible. For the Hershey show, we’ll bring our usual SLAYER experience with big fire effects and all-out chaos, just like we used to.”
King also mentioned, “This will be our first time playing with POWER TRIP and KNOCKED LOOSE, but I’ve heard a lot about them and have enjoyed their music on Liquid Metal. I’m excited to see them live.”
POWER TRIP said, “Honored to share the stage with one of our all-time favorite bands, SLAYER. See you sick f*cks at the riff clinic.”
KNOCKED LOOSE added, “We’re excited to play with some of the best heavy bands of all time, both past and present.”
SLAYER Reveals 2025 Concert Dates Including Major Festivals and U.S. East Coast Show
SLAYER has confirmed their 2025 concert schedule, which includes several high-profile shows across Europe and North America:
- July 3 – Blackweir Fields, Cardiff, Wales, UK
Lineup: SLAYER with special guests AMON AMARTH, ANTHRAX, MASTODON, HATEBREED, and NECKBREAKKER - July 5 – Villa Park, Birmingham, UK
“Back To The Beginning” with BLACK SABBATH - July 6 – Finsbury Park, London, UK
Lineup: SLAYER with special guests AMON AMARTH, ANTHRAX, MASTODON, HATEBREED, and NECKBREAKKER - July 11 – Quebec Festival d’été de, Québec City, Quebec, Canada
Direct support: MASTODON - September 18 – Louder Than Life @ Highland Festival Grounds, Louisville, KY
Lineup: SLAYER, ROB ZOMBIE, MARILYN MANSON, and more - September 20 – Hersheypark Stadium, Hershey, PA
Lineup: SLAYER, KNOCKED LOOSE, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, POWER TRIP, CAVALERA, EXODUS
In a recent interview with Australia’s Metal Roos, SLAYER guitarist Kerry King spoke about the band’s future, clarifying their decision to retire from touring and recording. King made it clear that SLAYER would not be touring or making new music again, emphasizing that their 2018 farewell tour truly marked the end. He said, “We’re never gonna tour again. We’re never gonna make a record again. Mark my word, this was the last thing.”
Reflecting on the significance of SLAYER’s reunion shows after a five-year hiatus, King noted, “A lot of fans are excited, especially those who never had the chance to see us live. A kid who was 10 when we retired is now 15 or 16. This is their first chance to see SLAYER, and that’s important.”
King also addressed the timing of SLAYER’s reunion announcement, which came shortly after he revealed his solo project. He acknowledged that while the timing wasn’t ideal, he’s excited about both his solo career and SLAYER’s comeback shows.
Looking back at SLAYER’s performances at Riot Fest in Chicago and Aftershock Festival in Sacramento in 2024, King shared his surprise at how meaningful those shows turned out to be. “I went into the Chicago show thinking it would be cool for the fans, especially the younger ones who hadn’t seen us before. But when I hit the stage, I got goosebumps. It was way bigger than I ever expected, and the response was overwhelming.”
At both Riot Fest and Aftershock, SLAYER played a 20-song set, which included classics like “South Of Heaven”, “Seasons In The Abyss”, “Angel Of Death”, “Hell Awaits”, “Raining Blood”, and “Repentless”.
Although SLAYER was also scheduled to perform at Louder Than Life in Louisville, Kentucky, on September 27, 2024, that show was unfortunately canceled due to severe weather.
SLAYER’s reunion lineup features Kerry King and drummer Paul Bostaph, along with bassist/vocalist Tom Araya and guitarist Gary Holt, the same lineup that toured in 2019.
Additionally, Kerry King’s debut solo album, From Hell I Rise, was released in May 2024 via Reigning Phoenix Music.