Californian metal legends Slayer have shocked fans with the news that their latest world tour will be their last. Having formed in 1981, Slayer became one of heavy and death metal’s most influential bands, spawning a legacy spanning 35 years, and continuing to tour despite the tragic death of original guitarist Jeff Hanneman in 2013, which followed the departure of of original drummer Dave Lombardo, who left the band after a dispute over contract and pay with other band members.

The band’s last album came in 2015, in Repentless, their twelfth studio production. Fans were shocked by the announcement, seen in the Youtube teaser below, to discover that this would indeed be Slayer’s final touring schedule.

The teaser takes a retrospective look at the band’s impressive legacy, citing this latest stint as a finale, where they will “make their exit with one final world tour”.

As of yet, only dates in North America have so far been revealed, but it is very much expected that dates for the rest of the world will be announced shortly.

Rumblings of Slayer calling it a day have been around for a while, and in an interview with Loudwire in 2016, Slayer bassist and vocalist Tom Araya reflected on his extensive career, suggesting that it was “time to collect my pension”, but simultaneously being unable to deny the kick he still got out of performing live.

“I like singing and just spitting that shit out and convincing everybody that this guy is a fucking maniac,” he said. “It’s like acting. You feel the lyrics and you show them with your facial expressions, your body expressions, your intensity — I love that shit.”