Jeff Hannemann obit

Jeff Hanneman Dead at 49: World Loses a Giant SLAYER

 

He was not on the list.

In a year filled with the loss of so many wonderful talents, we’ve lost another great in Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman. The 49-year-old thrash metal icon succumbed Thursday to liver failure supposed to be related to a spider bite he received some two years ago. He died at Hemet Valley Medical Center, near his home in Southern California’s Inland Empire area.

Hanneman has not been touring with the band since he contracted necrotizing fasciitis which essentially eats away at the flesh from deep layers of skin and tissue. The disease was caused by a spider bite, likely a brown recluse.

Fans, along with fellow band members Kerry King (guitar), Tom Araya (bass), and Dave Lombardo (drums), have been holding out hope Hanneman would soon be healthy enough to tour and record with Slayer again. The idea that it might lead to his premature death was not even a consideration. The question was never if Hanneman would return to the band but when. His disease had supposedly, according to bassist Tom Araya, been removed from Jeff’s body and the guitarist was working on getting back into performance shape.

There has been some rumble in the metal community that Hanneman had actually stopped rehabbing from his illness, withdrawing from the band and that his death may actually have been related to alcohol abuse.

The Big 4 - Metallica. Slayer. Megadeth. Anthrax.Slayer posted the following message:

“Slayer is devastated to inform that their bandmate and brother, Jeff Hanneman, passed away at about 11AM this morning near his Southern California home. Hanneman was in an area hospital when he suffered liver failure. He is survived by his wife Kathy, his sister Kathy and his brothers Michael and Larry, and will be sorely missed.

Our Brother Jeff Hanneman, May He Rest In Peace (1964 – 2013)”

After the band posted the tragic news fans and fellow musicians took to social media networks to share their condolences and thoughts on the extreme metal pioneer.

“RIP Jeff Hanneman. One of the greatest songwriters in all of metal let alone music. Our hearts go out to his family and band mates.” – Machine Head

“Tonight one less star will be shining and sadly, the stage got just a little bit darker. Jeff Hanneman 1964-2013.” – Dave Mustaine, Megadeth

“So sad to hear Jeff Hanneman passed away today. His music was a HUGE influence on a generation of metal players, myself included. RIP Jeff” – Mark Morton, Lamb of God

“RIP brother. You will be missed.” – Zakk Wylde

“We are so devastated to hear about the passing of Jeff Hanneman. One of the greatest have passed on and please, stop for a moment and pay your respect to this fantastic man. This is a tragedy.” – In Flames

“RIP TO A TITAN OF METAL,” – David Draiman, Disturbed, Device

“WOW…I’m in shock…RIP Jeff Hanneman.” – Mike Portnoy, Adrenaline Mob, The Winery Dogs 

The Big 4 - Metallica. Slayer. Megadeth. Anthrax.

“Brutal news about Jeff. Like a punch in the gut. Tonight will be a proper send off for our brother.” – Scott Ian, Anthrax

Tonight many of hard rock and metal’s biggest names will be at the annual Revolver Golden Gods Awards, and Hanneman’s passing will be a ubiquitous topic.

Hanneman has been one of Slayer’s primary songwriters and his mark has been left in concrete fashion throughout the band’s 10 studio albums. He started the band with King in 1981. Exodus guitarist and a good friend of the band, Gary Holt, has been handling most of the live guitar duties in Jeff’s stead. King has been handling all the guitar work for the band’s new studio effort.

With the tragic loss of Hanneman, Araya’s recurring health issues and Lombardo’s recent departure from the band, this may well signal the end for the thrash masters.