Slayer’s Manager Releases Statement Regarding Rick Rubin; Band May Re-Sign with American Recordings After All

In a recent interview with Fuse, Kerry King and Tom Araya revealed that the band is no longer signed to Rick Rubin’s American Recordings (formerly Def Jam), and Araya went so far as to make it sound as though Rubin wasn’t returning the phone calls of Slayer’s manager, Rick Sales. In response, Sales has now released a statement clarifying the comments in that interview:

“With Jeff’s tragic passing and Slayer’s eventual hectic touring schedule over the past several months,  there has been a bit of mutual ‘holding off ‘ on jumping into any new long term recording commitment, but we would like to clarify the comments that Tom and Kerry made in the Fuse interview.  It is true that Slayer is currently out of contract, as they delivered their final required album to American Recordings some time ago. Rick Rubin began a new distribution agreement with Universal last year and American/Universal absolutely has made a significant proposal to re-sign the band. Both parties had been in substantial negotiation over that proposal at the time of Jeff’s passing; and in fairness to everyone, a little space has been given on all sides in terms of closing any new deal.  We are excited about the possibility of re-signing with Rick Rubin’s venture, and are also considering several other options that have been presented since the previous long term contract with American expired.  The band has been taking much needed time to regroup and consider their various options for the future, and looks forward to a new beginning, wherever that may be.”

So, there ya go. We still don’t know who will release Slayer’s next album, but apparently their thirty-year relationship with Rubin may not be done after all. Stay tuned…