It’s the first new material from metal band Slayer in five years, and the first since guitarist Jeff Hanneman last year. “Implode” is very similar to what you might expect from Slayer, but the new release shows that they’re coming out of their hiatus and producing new material, in advance of a likely new album debuting next year.
Not only is “Implode” the first release from the band in five years, it’s also free to download from Slayer’s website. They debuted the single at the Revolver Golden Gods awards show on Wednesday night, taking the stage to play three songs in a surprise performance that the band somehow managed to keep under wraps until the night of the show.
The new track marks several big changes for the band, the biggest one being the absence of Hanneman. The guitarist died last year from complications due to liver cirrhosis at the age of 49. Guitarist Gary Holt is now playing in place of the iconic artist. The band has also split with their longtime record label, Rick Rubin’s American Recordings. Slayer’s anticipated 2015 album will be the first one released on the band’s own label, Nuclear Blast.
You can hear Slayer’s newest single, “Implode,” below.