Following yesterday’s shocking news that Slayer will be replacing Dave Lombardo for their Australian tour, the Slayer camp have posted the following statement:

“Slayer confirms that Jon Dette (Testament) will drum for the band on its Australian tour that starts this Saturday, February 23 in Brisbane. As regards Dave Lombardo’s Facebook post, Slayer does not agree with Mr. Lombardo’s substance or the timeline of the events, except to acknowledge that Mr. Lombardo came to the band less than a week before their scheduled departure for Australia to present an entirely new set of terms for his engagement that were contrary to those that had been previously agreed upon.

“The band was unable to reach an agreement on these new demands in the short amount of time available prior to leaving for Australia. There is more to the account than what Mr. Lombardo has offered, but out of respect to him, Slayer will not be commenting further. Slayer is grateful to its Australian fans for their understanding of this unfortunate last-minute change, and very much looks forward to seeing them at these shows.”

Dave Lombardo revealed yesterday that he was notified by lawyers that his services would not be needed while Slayer were in Australia, with Jon Dette being revealed as his replacement mere hours later.

Having already toured with Slayer once before, Jon Dette is no stranger to the band’s material and seems to be an appropriate last-minute choice. When Paul Bostaph left the band in 1996 to pursue other projects, Dette stepped in to help them out on that year’s US Ozzfest festival tour as they promoted their covers album Undisputed Attitude. He was ousted by a returning Bostaph less than 12 months later. Interestingly, Dette is also currently playing with Anthrax, standing in for Charlie Benante who, according to guitarist Scott Ian, is still attending to “personal issues” back in the US. The revitalised New Yorkers are also taking part in the Soundwave festival this year alongside Slayer. A member of Japan-based metal crew Animetal USA alongside ex-Ozzy bassist Rudy Sarzo and US shred legend Chris Impellitterri, Dette has also previously played with Testament and numerous other less high profile metal bands including underground LA thrashers Evildead and gritty WASP offshoot Killing Machine.

Gus Pynn (SACRIFICE): "Acabo de leer el comunicado de Dave Lombardo. Kerry King es un idiota ¿Cuánto tiempo tendrá que pasar para que Tom Araya deje la banda? Algunos son simplemente unos imbéciles (...) Espero que Tom también se vaya... a Kerry le dará igual, sólo lo reemplazará con alguien parecido y tomará el 90% de su parte, cosa que a él le encantaría porque es la forma en la que él actúa. Que duermas bien, Kerry.
(...) Paul Bostaph es aplastante ... pero Dave es un monstruo de mierda en la batería..."

Bård G. Eithun (SCUM, ABORYM, EMPEROR): "Entonces, Kerry King tenía ya todo planeado...Deja de joder y entiende que Lombardo es un gran estrella como tú... Si no más grande. ¿Quién quiere ver a SLAYER sin el desgraciado de Lombardo?"

Alex Skolnick (TESTAMENT): "Noticia decepcionante. Estuve con Dave en el NAMM y con Kerry King un par de días atrás. Nunca me lo hubiera imaginado. No estoy en condiciones para comentar sobre asuntos de los demás, pero como fan... y amigo de la banda, odio ver eso."

De los 4 nomás Metallica y Anthrax mantienen integridad.

De los 4 nomás Metallica y Anthrax mantienen integridad.

Por lo menos así lo veo yo