Despite the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s attempts to recognize previously overlooked metal bands in recent years, the absence of Slayer is particularly striking. This iconic group has made significant contributions to heavy metal music and earned the respect of fellow musicians, yet they have never received a nomination, let alone an induction, from the Hall. In a recent interview with Billboard Brasil, Slayer’s guitarist and co-founder Kerry King expressed his frustration about the band’s exclusion from this prestigious institution.

“We’ve never even been on the nomination list, so I don’t know what [the Hall of Fame is] waiting for,” King stated. “How many more decades do we have to play? Forty years isn’t enough, I guess. I don’t know. We’ll see.”

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King went on to say, “To me, if it happens, it happens, ’cause, obviously, the voting process and the election process is a little faulty,” he continued. “So we’ll see. And me here badmouthing it probably isn’t helping my situation.”

Understanding Slayer’s Eligibility for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Since 2009, Slayer has been eligible for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. While King dreams of seeing his band honored with this recognition, he remains pragmatic about the situation and does not let it consume him.

“Is it something that’s gonna make my career complete? Absolutely not,” the guitarist emphasized. “If my parents were alive, I would be stoked if we got in there so I can say, ‘Hey, mom, I’m in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.’ That would be cool.”

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King further added, “If we ever got nominated and the fans elected us to be in, it would be honorable,” he reflected, “just to say these kids from Los Angeles got together and ripped the world a new fucking asshole.”

After their farewell in 2019, Slayer made a triumphant return in 2024. The legendary metal band has scheduled several concerts for the summer, including performances at Louder Than Life and the Black Sabbath farewell concert event, titled Back to the Beginning.