Once the flames were lit to frame the stage you could feel the restlessness of the crowd. That first note struck, and the carnage ensued. Slayer shows are like no other as the pits and moshing are brutal. These Slayersaurases kicked some heavy metal ass as they played their last Chicago show, thrashing out a variety of songs from just about every album.

When they played "War Ensemble" the true brutality of the crowd emerged. This was the last time the mostly Chi-Town crowd were going to see Slayer live, and everyone there was all caught in a mosh.  A little rain fell, but that didn’t seem to put out any flames. The crowd was just stoked to see these metal giants. Tom Araya (donning his silver beard) did not let the crowd down. He also seemed just as stoked to play this last Chicago show. Araya showed that he still has a lot of energy and is a master of his art.

I’m glad they are going out on a good note. Fans will remember this tour always. Gary Holt was at the finest I have ever seen him live, even with Exodus. He has embraced Slayer’s songs and made them sound like they were meant to be played. Holt showed off his professional axe grinding skills to say the least. He was so full of energy and put on an excellent show that you wouldn’t know he was not an original member of the band. Dave Lombardo’s arms were a blur as they thrashed at the drums while he seemed to be engulfed in constant flames. Kerry King never missed a note and played with more energy and emotion than I have ever seen him play before.

This last tour probably has this band on an emotional roller coaster. I am sure they would have like to go out as with all original members, but fate did not turn out that way. They lost one of their long time band-mates and epic guitar player, Jeff Hanneman back in 2013. I think they would have made him proud today as they played with all their hearts and souls.