Slayer just can’t catch a break lately. Minutes before they were set to take the stage to headline the Soundwave Festival in Sydney, Australia, singer and bassist Tom Araya was taken to a hospital, forcing the band to cancel their appearance. The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the band showed up at the venue mid-afternoon, but after being taken to the hospital, was “ordered by the doctors to stay in for observations.” There’s no word on what’s wrong with Araya, but initially, it seems like he’ll be ok, as the show’s promoter said that he should be able to play the next leg of the Soundwave festival on Saturday in Melbourne.
Keep in mind that the band was playing without guitarist Jeff Hanneman, who is recovering from surgery on his arm after a spider bite gave him necrotizing fasciitis, otherwise known as flesh eating disease. Exodus’ Gary Holt was set to fill in for him. And Araya’s illness might have something to do with the back surgery he had about a year ago that’s kept him from being able to bang his head. God might not hate us all, but he sure seems to have it in for Hanneman and Araya. We’ll keep you updated on his condition.
