In a recent interview on the Scandalous podcast, Exodus guitarist Gary Holt spoke about the much-anticipated festival shows of a reactivated Slayer. When asked about his favorite aspects of playing Slayer's extensive catalog, Holt shared his genuine enthusiasm for the band's music and his responsibility within it, painting a picture that contrasts with his role in Exodus.
"It's awesome. The thing I always liked most about playing in Slayer was it allowed me just to be a guitar player. I didn't have to make decisions," Holt explained.
"I didn't have to do anything but just be prepared and go out and shred. I try to play the role of almost like a guitar hero. There's a lot of solos in the Slayer stuff, a lot of Jeff's solos. I do a song, and sometimes there are two or three solos in one song. I just go out and have fun. They always just accepted me to play like me, and I tried to pay homage to Jeff as best I could but at the same time being true to my own self as a guitar player."
Holt further explained the seamlessness of his integration into Slayer, citing his long-standing friendship with the band members as a significant factor.
"And it always worked. And we're old friends. For one, we've known each other since we were kids, musically speaking, so that made it simple. It made it a seamless integration, filling in for Jeff while he was sick and then after tragedy struck. I always wanted him back. I never wanted it to be a 10-year gig; I always thought it was going to be like a two-tour gig. And then a year became two, became three, and then his tragic passing. I wanted to see Jeff back."
Holt stepped in for Jeff Hanneman during Slayer's live performances in 2011 and officially became a full-time co-guitarist in 2013, all while continuing his role in Exodus. He contributed to Slayer's final album, Repentless, which was released in 2015.
