DAVID ELLEFSON Doesn't Know Why SLAYER Is Retiring

MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson says that he doesn't know why SLAYER has chosen to embark on its "farewell" tour.

Last month, SLAYER, one of metal's most popular and influential bands of the past four decades, announced its "final world tour" via a 30-second video. The group also confirmed that its last-ever North American run of dates would feature support from LAMB OF GOD, ANTHRAX, BEHEMOTH and TESTAMENT.

During a brand new interview with Metal Wani, Ellefson was asked if he has spoken to the SLAYER guys about their announcement. "I haven't," he responded (hear audio below). "I mean, I've talked with [SLAYER guitarist] Gary Holt, but he said, 'Look, it's not my place to talk about anything,' which I understand. But I've not talked to [founding SLAYER members] Kerry [King, guitar] or Tom [Araya, bass/vocals], only because our paths haven't crossed here, but I certainly intend to."

He continued: "Look, they've had an incredible run at it. And it brings to mind a couple of things. Number one, even in your own life, I go, 'Okay, well, it's important I stay healthy, it's important I stay fit,' and it's important that we enjoy doing what we're doing.

"I don't know their reasoning for retiring, but they've had an incredible run," he added. "They've kind of invented their own little, sort of, subgenre within the thrash genre. I'd always go to the 'Big Four'… Of the four biggest, more well-known, famous groups for doing this, they certainly have their own pillar, their own corner of the ring. So, yeah, it's a lot of music, a lot of touring. I mean, those guys are freakin' road warriors. So if they wanna wind it down, hey, wind it down. But they're certainly winding it down big, which is great, as it deserves to be."

SLAYER will kick off the first leg of its farewell world tour with a May 10 concert at San Diego's Valley View Casino Center, with dates running through June 20 at Austin's 360 Amphitheatre. Via Blabbermouth and MetalWani