Slayer’s Hersheypark Inferno: Raining Blood, Black Magic and Angel of Death Close an Unforgettable Night
The night of September 20, 2025, at Hersheypark Stadium in Hershey, Pennsylvania, was unlike any other for East Coast metal fans. Slayer had announced earlier in the year that this would be their only headlining performance in the region for the entire year, and anticipation ran high from the moment tickets went on sale. Fans traveled from neighboring states like New York, New Jersey, Maryland, and beyond, filling the stadium with a sea of black t-shirts and eager energy. It wasn’t just another concert—it was a destination event, a pilgrimage for those who wanted to see Slayer prove, once again, why their live reputation endures.
The evening was structured like a mini-festival, with a carefully chosen support lineup that catered directly to die-hard thrash and extreme metal fans. Knocked Loose brought hardcore intensity, Power Trip delivered pure thrash revival, Suicidal Tendencies injected skate-punk chaos, Cavalera stormed through a full Chaos A.D. set, and Exodus hammered home the night’s pedigree with Bonded by Blood. Each band was significant in its own right, but the knowledge that Slayer was waiting in the wings lent every earlier performance a heightened electricity, as if everyone was preparing for the real storm to come.
By the time Slayer took the stage, the air was thick with fog and anticipation. They opened with the ominous instrumental Delusions of Saviour, instantly commanding attention before launching into South of Heaven. The familiar slow, crushing riff set the tone perfectly, both welcoming fans into their world and reminding everyone that even after decades, Slayer could summon darkness with a single chord. Tom Araya’s voice carried through the stadium with force, Kerry King and Gary Holt locked in on guitars, and Paul Bostaph’s drumming gave the performance its relentless backbone.
From there, the set rolled with calculated intensity. Repentless and Disciple came next, both bringing speed and aggression that contrasted beautifully with the slow burn of the opener. The crowd erupted into circle pits across the stadium floor, echoing the chaos Slayer has always inspired. Die by the Sword added a taste of their earlier catalog, showing that the band was not only leaning on modern tracks but weaving in classics to satisfy every era of fandom. The pacing showed deliberate care—building energy, then pushing it higher.
As the middle of the set unfolded, fans were treated to a barrage of classics and deep cuts. Jihad and War Ensemble sent adrenaline surging, while Chemical Warfare and Reborn reminded everyone of Slayer’s thrash roots. Each song was delivered with remarkable precision, a testament to how tight the lineup has remained even after years away from extensive touring. Araya’s delivery retained its trademark grit, and King’s guitar solos pierced through the night air, demonstrating that age had not dulled their ferocity. Fans responded with relentless headbanging and chants that shook the stadium.
Midway through the show, the atmosphere became darker with songs like Mandatory Suicide and Born of Fire, offering moments of tension and release. Then came the haunting Dead Skin Mask, which had thousands of fans shouting along to its unsettling chorus. When Spirit in Black and Hate Worldwide followed, the pace accelerated again, turning the crowd into a frenzy. It was a masterclass in setlist construction—balancing mood, tempo, and familiarity in a way that kept Hersheypark Stadium locked in from start to finish.
As the show edged toward its climax, Seasons in the Abyss and Hell Awaits loomed large. These songs carried enormous weight, both musically and emotionally. Seasons delivered its slow, doom-like grandeur, while Hell Awaits reminded fans of the band’s early days, when their raw sound pushed the boundaries of extreme music. The band then surprised many with 213, a track not always in heavy rotation, before delivering Postmortem, which acted as a perfect springboard toward the finale. By this point, the audience knew what was coming, and the energy was palpable.
The unmistakable opening of Raining Blood triggered a visceral reaction across the stadium. Fans screamed, surged forward, and threw themselves into mosh pits as the iconic riff tore through the night. This song, more than perhaps any other, symbolizes Slayer’s cultural impact, and Hershey was no exception. Araya’s vocal growls were met with thousands of voices chanting every word back at him, creating a unity that felt larger than the stadium itself. The performance was raw, ferocious, and cathartic, leaving no doubt that Slayer’s live power remains intact.
Without missing a beat, the band dove straight into Black Magic. The transition felt seamless, like a continuation of the chaos unleashed moments earlier. The song’s frantic pace and shorter, sharper structure sent the crowd into another explosion of movement. Mosh pits spun faster, fists flew higher, and fans old and new shouted with equal passion. It was a reminder of Slayer’s beginnings, when Black Magic helped establish them as a defining voice in thrash metal. Hearing it live in 2025, paired directly with Raining Blood, was an experience that felt almost ritualistic.
The finale came with Angel of Death, a song that has long served as Slayer’s ultimate closer. Its opening scream immediately sent shivers across the audience, and from that moment, Hersheypark Stadium became a storm of sound and fury. Every section of the song was met with violent enthusiasm, from the machine-gun drumming to the blistering guitar solos. Fans knew this was the end, and they gave everything left in their lungs and bodies to match the energy coming from the stage. It was the perfect capstone to a night that had already delivered more than anyone could have asked for.
The production throughout the evening added another layer to the spectacle. Red and white lighting created a hellish glow, while fog machines filled the stage with atmosphere. Pyro effects punctuated key moments, particularly in the final sequence, making Raining Blood and Angel of Death feel apocalyptic in scale. Even without excessive theatrics, Slayer’s stage design amplified their music’s intensity, creating a total sensory assault that left fans both exhausted and exhilarated.
Tom Araya kept his stage banter minimal, as has long been his style, but his presence was commanding. His silent stares into the crowd, brief smiles, and occasional acknowledgments carried as much weight as any speech. Kerry King and Gary Holt maintained a constant barrage of guitar fire, and Bostaph’s drumming remained machine-precise. Together, they reminded fans that Slayer is not a band that simply goes through the motions—they still deliver as though every performance matters.
The Hershey crowd itself played a vital role in making the night memorable. Thousands of fans screaming in unison, moshing, and throwing horns turned the performance into a shared act of celebration. Many in attendance considered this their first chance to see Slayer live, while others returned after decades of following the band. The combination of generational fans all giving everything created an energy that no stage effects could replicate. It was pure, human devotion to the music.
After the last notes of Angel of Death faded, fans stood in stunned applause, reluctant to leave the stadium. Some lingered near the stage, chanting “Slayer” long after the band had departed. Others immediately shared videos and photos online, ensuring that the performance would be remembered beyond Hershey. Social media quickly filled with clips of Raining Blood and Black Magic, both hailed as highlights of the evening and evidence that Slayer still reigns supreme when it comes to thrash metal live shows.
Looking back, Slayer’s Hersheypark Stadium show will be remembered as more than just a concert. It was a historic gathering of fans, a reminder of the band’s enduring legacy, and proof that songs written decades ago still hold the power to electrify an audience in 2025. With Raining Blood, Black Magic, and Angel of Death as their final trifecta, Slayer closed the night in a way only they could—merciless, uncompromising, and unforgettable.
