Well, the day of the show started with a phone call from a friend of mine who works at the Madison asking me if I wanted to come over & see if he could get me in early. I said of course! Got there about 2:30 PM and just kinda milled about, looking for the boys in Slayer for autographs and a chance to talk to them! I finally bumped into Dave (! HELL YES!), got his auto. and chatted awhile. Totally cool dude, very laid back! After soundcheck, they were auditioning two drummers, then we went in and met Jeff & Kerry. Jeff was just like Dave, very casual and cool, but Kerry seemed preoccupied. Could've been this total metal chick (groupie? girlfriend? wife ?!?) hanging all over him! But Tom left, so we waited it out. After awhile, they let us back in, and we found Tom coming in the back stage door. We asked him for an auto., and he complied with a wide grin, and then we just sorta chatted for about twenty minutes! Talked about the old Slayer shit (he seemed surprised by the fact I told him HELL AWAITS was the first SLAYER album (yes, vinyl!) I ever bought!). We also talked about sports and the local hockey team. I must say, I was very surprised by his laid back demeanor, and how cool he was to me & my friend. Not what I expected at all!

Now for the show! Diecast was the first band to play, and not being familiar at all with their material, I thought every song sounded the same, although they were giving their all during their set. Hatebreed was next, and being more familiar with their stuff, I was looking forward to their set. I was not disappointed! Did get to meet both guitar players and the bassist before the show, and just like Slayer, they were completely cool! Their vocalist does not look like he sounds! They tore through their set with no bullshit, playing "Conceived through an act of violence" and "Last breath" with 110 percent effort. Can't wait for the new album (Mar. 26th!!!).

Then the lights went down, and the buzz in the place turned to a very loud "Slayer Chant." I was looking forward to this show ever since I learned Dave was back, albeit temporarily. The fans who have been into Slayer since Hell Awaits or Reign in Blood know what I mean! The first sounds of "Darkness of Christ" came over the P.A., and the pit started going nuts! They weren't even on stage yet! Then the lights came up, and they started "Disciple." Then Tom asked if we all wanted a war, and Kerry started sawing the opening riff from "War Ensemble." They played a few more newer songs (GHUA / DIM), then Tom got pissed at a security guy for not helping a girl who was hurt out of the pit. He got a lot of help from the crowd! They played a "medley" of "Post Mortem / Raining Blood / Hell Awaits," and to see Dave back on drums for these songs was incredible! They played a mix of old & new, then Tom said something about President Bush regarding the Sept. 11th attacks on New York City, and he said, "You know what Bush should've said? PAYBACK'S A BITCH, MOTHERFUCKER!!!!" Pretty cool intro! Tom's raps between songs were nearly inaudible, so it was hard to hear what he was saying.

They then played, in order, "Mandatory Suicide, Chemical Warfare, South of Heaven, and Angel of Death." What a finish! Dave's drumming was flawless, especially on the crucial drum break toward the end of Angel. His drumming on the newer songs was also tight as hell! More evidence he is the best metal drummer around!

I may be biased in saying this, but this was probably the best I've ever seen Slayer. Dave Lombardo being back was great, because I never got to see them while he was still a full-time member, so now I can die happy! And meeting them didn't hurt either! Paul Bostaph was great, and I feel bad for him and his early retirement, but Dave will always be Slayer to me. For those who have never seen them live, you are definitely missing out. These guys are the BEST metal band live, bar none. And the fact they've been at it for almost twenty years is quite an accomplishment, given that most of their peers from the early 80's are long gone.