SLAYER Commemorates 40th Anniversary of 'Reign In Blood' with Exclusive U.S. Headlining Shows
SLAYER, the iconic California thrash metal band, is set to commemorate the 40th anniversary of their groundbreaking third album, "Reign In Blood," with two exclusive U.S. headlining shows. The band will perform the album in its entirety, marking their first Los Angeles concert in seven years. The upcoming shows are scheduled for September 04 at Mystic Lake Amphitheater in Shakopee, MN, and November 13 at Kia Forum in Inglewood, CA. These two performances will be the only U.S. shows featuring the special "Reign In Blood" anniversary setlist, with different sets planned for their festival appearances throughout the year. The Shakopee show will include support from DOWN, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, and HATEBREED, while the Los Angeles concert will feature CANNIBAL CORPSE, CAVALERA, and CROWBAR as opening acts.
Fans can take advantage of a special presale for both shows on Thursday, April 23, starting at 10:00 a.m. CDT for Shakopee and 10:00 a.m. PDT for Los Angeles. The presale code "BLOOD26" will grant early access to tickets before the general public. General ticket sales will begin on Friday, April 24, at 10:00 a.m. CDT for Shakopee and 10:00 a.m. PDT for Los Angeles. SLAYER's recent performances in 2024 and 2025 have been highly anticipated, with the band making notable appearances at various festivals and events, including a special set at BLACK SABBATH's final concert in Birmingham, England.
"Reign In Blood," released in 1986 through Def Jam Recordings, marked a significant milestone in SLAYER's career. Produced by Rick Rubin, the album was praised for its heavy sound and groundbreaking approach to thrash metal and speed metal. Despite initial concerns over its graphic content, the album's impact on the metal scene was undeniable. "Reign In Blood" became SLAYER's first album to enter The Billboard 200 chart and was later certified gold by the RIAA for exceeding 500,000 copies sold. The band's guitarist, Jeff Hanneman, addressed the controversy surrounding the album's lyrics, emphasizing that they aimed to document historical events rather than promote any extremist ideologies.
Reflecting on the enduring legacy of "Reign In Blood," SLAYER drummer Dave Lombardo hailed the album as a masterpiece that defined a pivotal moment in metal history. He praised the album's energy and intensity, highlighting its timeless appeal and influence on the thrash metal genre. As SLAYER prepares to celebrate this iconic album's 40th anniversary, fans can expect a memorable and electrifying experience at the upcoming U.S. headlining shows.