Slayer's Jeff Hanneman DEAD

[SamuelKhan]

http://www.latimes.com/entertainmen...t-jeff-hanneman-dies-20130502,0,4340297.story

Jeff Hanneman, founding guitarist of the thrash metal band Slayer whose furious riffs and chaotic bursts of power chords helped drive a revolution in heavy metal, has died, the band announced via Facebook on Thursday. Hanneman, who had been taking a break from the band to recover from an illness that affected his liver, died of liver failure, according to the announcement.

Hanneman, 49, was born in Long Beach, and had been battling an ailment thought to be caused by a spider bite. The band's statement on Facebook read:

“Slayer is devastated to inform that their band mate and brother, Jeff Hanneman, passed away at about 11AM this morning near his Southern California home. He was 49. Hanneman was in an area hospital when he suffered liver failure. He is survived by his wife Kathy, his sister Kathy and his brothers Michael and Larry, and will be sorely missed.”

Slayer formed in Huntington Beach in the early '80s when Hanneman and fellow guitarist Kerry King joined forces. In 2011 while on tour, Hanneman landed in a hospital emergency room with an undisclosed illness.

SHIT This is huge...

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[PhilipRJ_UK]

I cannot believe this news. He was an absolutely incredible guitar player and fundamental to the Slayer sound and image. The end of an era for metal music and a truly terrible loss. I'll be listening to 'Reign in Blood' in honour of him later on.

R.I.P.