Interview with Tom Araya, July 7th 1999, during OzzFest'99

So how has Ozzfest been so far?

For who?

For you and Slayer

It's doing good. It's doing really good. I think our audience response is really cool. It's kinda surprising me that we get such a big response, that they even show up. Cuz I'm like them, I'd be getting up at the time that we are on. So it's kinda cool, and I'd like to say thanks.

What do you think of the seated audiences?

I don't like the seats. We (Ozzfest) did a show in Somerset (WI), and the place was an open field. It was really cool, because everyone was able to just hang out, and whoever wanted to be in the middle could be in the middle, and whoever didn't want to be in the middle, didn't have to, it was all cool. We really liked the atmosphere.

When the crowd is in the pit, you can see the enery and the feeling is more visible...

Well when they're in a seat, you can see it. You can see how they just want to [makes moshing/headbanging motion], but they can't. The minute they start bouncing or shaking, somebody walks up to them and says "Hey stop that".

Are there any bands you were looking forward to seeing, and have seen?

All of them.. I've been watching all of them actually. Lately I've been getting here early enough to watch System, actually I saw some of (hed)p.e. today, and they're pretty cool, but I like System. I like Primus.

Well you've toured with System before.

Shit yeah, we did two tours, a US tour and a European tour. Actually 2 US tours, but one was a short one.

What are planning for after Ozzfest?

I do not know. I hope that when we are done with this thing that we start working on new stuff, and then where ever that takes us, hopefully we'll have something done by the end of the year, or by the beginning of the year.

Have you done any writing on the road?

I've been doing a lot of reading and been doing a lot of traveling lately, flying in and out and stuff. Have time to read and just let my mind wander off.

Are there any bands that you haven't toured with or would like to tour with?

I dunno, it'd be kinda cool to tour with Metallica and Pantera. That'd be pretty heavy. A very hairy lineup. Just throwing Metallica in there makes it a big thing with them on the bill.

When you get to Ozzy's age, do you see yourself doing this stuff?

I have no idea. I don't want to look that far. Take everything for that moment.

If you weren't doing what you were doing today, what would you be doing?

When I came to a crossroads as to what I wanted to continue doing, I was in a medical profession, so I don't know. I feel I've done something for myself, and if I wasn't doing this, I'd be doing something else.

What is your role in the Slayer song-writing process?

I'm more interested in lyric writing. I let them write the music. I've never really attempted to write any kind of music or put together a song musically. I guess there is always a first time, huh?

Jeff and Kerry do most of the music right?

Yeah, Jeff's already got stuff tracked. I try to learn it, and pick out some parts. I'll usually walk in on a song that has already been mutated few times. I take some time and learn the groove of the music and add some lyrics.

What would you say has been your weirdest road experience?

There are so many things that happen on the road, and every day is a new day with new happenings. Everyday is it's own day and weird in it's own way.