Slayer will be releasing “When The Stillness Comes,” only its second new song since the 2013 death of guitarist Jeff Hanneman, as a limited edition vinyl single on this year’s Record Store Day (April 18). The vinyl will be a 7” picture disc with an inverted cross on one side, and, in an attempt to soften the band’s image, a blood-stained skull with “Slayer” carved into it on the reverse.
The A-side is the new song, “When The Stillness Comes,” which is also slated to appear on the band’s new album later this year, while the B-side will be a live version of “Black Magic” from the band’s debut Show No Mercy.
Since Hanneman’s death, Exodus guitarist Gary Holt has served as a temporary replacement on stage, but Slayer’s other guitarist, Kerry King, says he intends to play all of the guitar parts on the new album. The new single and upcoming album will also mark the return of drummer Paul Bostaph, who replaces Dave Lombardo, who departed after a contract dispute with the band. Lombardo had been Slayer’s drummer since 2002, when he replaced previous drummer Paul Bostaph, who was himself a replacement for original drummer Dave Lombardo.
At some point in the future, Slayer plans to put out some of the unreleased material Hanneman was working on before his death. In the meantime, the band’s new full-length is expected to hit stores in the next few months.