Twenty years ago, on the auspicious date of 6/6/06, Jeff Tandy launched what would become a globally recognized celebration of heavy metal's most infamous band. The International Day of Slayer — originally called the "National Day of Slayer" in its inaugural 2006 edition — was conceived as both a sincere tribute to SLAYER and a pointed parody of the National Day of Prayer. It went international in 2007.
The date was chosen deliberately: 6/6/06 encodes the Number of the Beast (666), and it doubles as the birthday of Tom Araya, SLAYER's iconic vocalist and bassist, who turns 65 in 2026. Co-founder Dag Nilsen helped shape the event into the irreverent institution it has become.
Tandy himself captured the essence of why SLAYER continues to hold such grip over metal fans worldwide: "It is absolutely a primal force that just grabs hold of your reptile brain and manipulates you to violence."
The 20th anniversary of the Day of Slayer arrives at a moment of genuine excitement for the band's faithful: SLAYER have confirmed a series of reunion performances in 2026. North American dates include:
- September 4 — Shakopee, MN
- September 6 — Rocklahoma
- October 24 — Fort Worth, TX
- November 13–14 — Kia Forum, Los Angeles (with CANNIBAL CORPSE, CAVALERA, CROWBAR)
In addition, SLAYER will embark on a Latin American "Reign in Blood" 40th anniversary tour, hitting Mexico City, Bogotá, Santiago, Buenos Aires, and São Paulo. The 1986 album Reign in Blood — 29 minutes of relentless thrash — remains one of the most influential metal records ever committed to tape.
Two decades in, the International Day of Slayer endures as a testament to SLAYER's cultural permanence. The ritual is simple: play SLAYER loudly, spread the word, and acknowledge the band's singular place in the architecture of extreme music. Whether you're blasting "Raining Blood" on the morning commute or gathering with fellow devotees for a listen party, June 6 belongs to SLAYER.