Gary Holt, guitarist for Exodus and former member of Slayer, reflects on the rare moments when fans were hostile during his concerts with the band. He believes that these incidents remain isolated despite the famous temperament of Slayer fans.
A warm welcome despite the expectations of Slayer fans
Gary Holt, who joined Slayer in 2011 to replace Jeff Hanneman, spoke in an interview with Ultimate Guitar his memories of this period. Asked about his first concert with Slayer at the Soundwave Festival in Australia, he said he didn’t feel any particular pressure, feeling totally ready for this moment. “Maybe deep down I felt a little pressure knowing I was taking the place of someone so legendary. But I was 100% ready,” he explained.
Regarding the reputation of Slayer’s fans, who are often described as ruthless, Holt revealed that despite the many shows he has done with the band, he has only actually encountered two hostile fans or “hecklers” during his entire career with them. . “Most people saw my presence as a chance to see Slayer again, even without Jeff,” he clarified.
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Two memorable incidents in Germany and Italy
The only two notable incidents Gary Holt remembers involved a fan in Germany and another in Italy. During a concert in Germany, a particularly virulent spectator kept making obscene gestures at him. Holt says he even had to send a member of production to evacuate this individual, who ultimately fled before being ejected. “You already knew I was replacing Jeff before you bought your ticket, so why are you here if it bothers you so much?” he retorted.
In Milan, another fan stood in the front row to shout insults at him throughout the show. At the end of the concert, Holt decided to directly confront this individual by approaching him, but he remained silent in front of the guitarist. “When I was younger, I might have thrown a punch,” he jokes.
Despite these isolated incidents, Gary Holt believes that two hecklers in fourteen years represents an excellent record, showing that Slayer fans generally received him with respect and enthusiasm.
