Tom Araya, bassist/vocalist of Slayer, recently expressed his political views online, causing some controversy amongst fans. Araya posted a meme that read

“If a conservative doesn’t like guns, he doesn’t buy one.
If a liberal doesn’t like guns, he wants all guns outlawed.”

“If a conservative is a vegetarian, he doesn’t eat meat.
If a liberal is a vegetarian, he wants all meat products banned for everyone.”

“If a conservative decides he needs health care, he goes shopping for it, or may choose a job that provides it.
A liberal demands that the rest of us pay for his.”

Araya then added a comment for fans to share their comments and opinions, generating over 1,500 responses according to The PRP. Fellow bandmate Gary Holt also jumped in the conversation, stating “Not to mention any critical comment on our current president is met with fury not laughs😆❗️”

Araya made headlines in 2017, discussing his political view, causing controversy. He stated “That’s what America has become… Because they didn’t get their way, they’re mad. I shared a picture that I thought was funny. They can’t even joke. They can’t even laugh at themselves. They can’t even have fun. And that just is amazing that it’s come to that. We’re a nation of crybabies.” Other members of the band, who have an opposite opinion, have distanced themselves from Araya in regards to politics. ” It is “not something the band would have posted if asked” and does not belong on a Slayer social page. Each band member has their own opinions some that have been heard in the past. The band has “never endorsed any political party or any candidate” and they continue to iterate that “the band intends to keep it that way.”

Photo Credit: Mauricio Alvarado