Following a tumultuous return in 2024, the Summer Slaughter Tour is set to forge ahead, now with the seasoned guidance of Hatebreed’s Jamey Jasta involved in the decision-making process. This new role signals a strategic shift aimed at revitalizing the tour’s standing in the metal music scene.

During his recent appearance on the Garza Podcast, Jasta shared his excitement about his new role with the Summer Slaughter tour. Beyond his position as the frontman of Hatebreed, he has also cultivated a profound interest in the music industry, successfully contributing to the revival of the Milwaukee Metal Fest. His achievements in that area have paved the way for his current involvement with the Summer Slaughter Tour, indicating a promising future.

Exploring the Challenges Faced by Last Year’s Summer Slaughter Tour

The Summer Slaughter Tour, a cornerstone in the metal music community since its inception in 2007 by Sumerian Records founder Ash Avildsen, faced significant challenges in recent years. The tour was forced to cease operations in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions and remained dormant until Avildsen revived it in 2024, aiming to reignite its former glory.

This revival introduced a tour lineup headlined by Veil of Maya and Brand of Sacrifice. However, as soon as the lineup was unveiled, fans expressed their disappointment across social media platforms, with an article from Metal Sucks highlighting that the quality of bands did not meet the tour’s historically high standards, which contributed to a backlash.

In a bold response to the criticism, the Summer Slaughter social media team fired back with a message that was both surprising and controversial. They stated, “Regardless if we booked Cannibal Corpse and Fetus or resurrected Necrophagist and Cynic, you’re still a bunch of pro vaccine mandate brainwashed pharma cuck sheep bootlickers. Have a good day and bow to your publicly traded owner, posers.”

READ MORE: The Triple Co-Headliner Summer Slaughter Wanted to Book for 2024

The negative sentiment surrounding the tour had a direct impact on ticket sales and audience turnout. One of the bands featured on the lineup, Cabal, later discussed their experiences on The Garza Podcast, revealing insights into what they believed contributed to the festival’s struggles.

“We had a mix of fun shows and some that felt lackluster. I can’t deny that,” admitted bassist Dennis Jovcevski Hursid when reflecting on their recent touring experience. When questioned by Garza about the reasons for the less engaging shows, the bassist replied, “Ticket sales played a role, sometimes. We found ourselves performing in large venues, like those with a 1200 capacity, but only drawing 150 attendees.”

“There were some standout shows, but others were not as engaging,” acknowledged vocalist Andreas Bjulver. “I think the core issue was that fans were craving death metal and similar genres.”

Bjulver elaborated, “I remember my teenage years, eagerly looking at lineup announcements that featured a blend of death metal, metalcore, and deathcore. This year, it felt like the focus shifted primarily to death metal styles. We had Brand of Sacrifice, who blend death and grind metal, but overall, the focus leaned more towards modern core genres. I appreciate all the bands involved, but I think some of the original acts were quite frustrated by this shift.”

Insights from Jamey Jasta on His New Role with the Summer Slaughter Tour

In his discussion with Suicide Silence guitarist Chris Garza, Jamey Jasta shared that he has taken on a significant role in shaping the future of the Summer Slaughter Tour as preparations for the upcoming run commence.

“I’m going to be helping take over Summer Slaughter. I can’t disclose the lineup just yet, but this is an endeavor I’ve long wanted to undertake, especially in light of last year’s lineup reactions,” stated the Hatebreed frontman.

“Ash is a true innovator in this space. Reflecting on the early days of Summer Slaughter, there were instances where Whitechapel opened the shows. We always received offers for this tour, but we were focused on establishing our presence in Europe,” noted Jasta.

“Now that we’ve reached a point where we can headline or secure a top position in Europe, we’re ready to bring back Hatebreed as a headliner for a summer tour. After the feedback from last year, I felt motivated to make this happen,” Jasta added, indicating that his band will take center stage during the upcoming tour.

READ MORE: Jamey Jasta Reflects on 30 Years of Hatebreed

“We have the opportunity to revitalize the tour, diversifying the lineup to include elements of hardcore and metalcore, while still honoring the roots of deathcore and death metal,” he concluded, emphasizing the goal of creating a well-rounded experience.

Future Possibilities for the 2025 Summer Slaughter Tour According to Jamey Jasta

“Hatebreed hasn’t been on a summer tour in the US for years. We’re planning to start modestly with a short run of about 14-15 shows, featuring emerging bands that represent the future of metal,” shared Jasta.

He also hinted at aspirations for a global outreach, stating, “We’re looking to expand internationally… Because summer occurs in different parts of the world, including locations like Australia and South America.”

Jasta indicated that Tim, who has previously collaborated with him on the Milwaukee Metal Fest, will also play a crucial role in steering this new direction. “I genuinely appreciate Ash for believing in Tim and me, providing the support we need to not only revive the Milwaukee Metal Fest but also to take on the challenge of making this tour great once again,” he concluded.

Currently, the official lineup and dates for the 2025 iteration of the Summer Slaughter Tour are yet to be announced.

Jamey Jasta’s Appearance on The Garza Podcast