Thrash metal legends Slayer have officially broken their silence, announcing two fresh 2026 festival appearances that will celebrate the 40th anniversary of their groundbreaking 1986 album Reign in Blood. The news dropped on April 21, 2026, sending waves of excitement through the metal community.

The band, consisting of Kerry King, Tom Araya, Paul Bostaph, and Gary Holt, will deliver special Reign in Blood anniversary performances at two major festivals this fall.

Confirmed 2026 Slayer Dates: Reign in Blood 40th Anniversary Sets

• September 6, 2026 — Rocklahoma, Pryor, Oklahoma (Rockin’ Red Dirt Ranch) Slayer will close out the 20th anniversary edition of Rocklahoma on Sunday night with a full-album celebration of Reign in Blood. The festival also features headliners Godsmack (Friday) and Papa Roach (Saturday), plus a stacked undercard including Black Label Society, The Pretty Reckless, Suicidal Tendencies, Insane Clown Posse, and many more.
• October 24, 2026 — Sick New World Texas, Fort Worth, Texas (Texas Motor Speedway) Slayer joins the inaugural Sick New World Texas as one of the biggest draws, performing their iconic 1986 masterpiece in full. The one-day heavy music festival is headlined by System of a Down and Deftones, with additional massive acts including Evanescence, The Prodigy, Marilyn Manson, Knocked Loose, Mastodon, AFI, Ministry, and Power Trip.

These appearances mark Slayer’s continued selective live activity following their 2019 farewell tour and a series of high-profile comeback shows in 2024. While the band has repeatedly stated they have no plans to record new material or launch a full-scale tour, fans are thrilled that the 40th anniversary of Reign in Blood — one of the most influential and fastest thrash albums ever released — has brought them back to the stage.

Why ‘Reign in Blood’ Still Matters in 2026

Released on October 7, 1986, Reign in Blood clocked in at just under 29 minutes but packed more intensity, speed, and aggression than most bands manage in a full career. Tracks like “Angel of Death,” “Raining Blood,” “Postmortem,” and “Necrophobic” helped define the thrash metal genre and influenced generations of extreme music. Forty years later, the album remains a benchmark for heaviness and technical precision.

Tickets and Presale Information

Rocklahoma 2026 Tickets Tickets for the three-day festival are already on sale or available via the official Rocklahoma website. Early bird and layaway options were offered earlier this year. For the latest pricing and packages, visit rocklahoma.com.

Sick New World Texas 2026 Tickets The inaugural Texas edition is a one-day event on October 24, 2026. General Admission, GA+, VIP, and Ultimate VIP packages are available, with layaway plans offered. → Official ticket link: sicknewworldfest.com/texas Presales have been running; any remaining tickets will be released to the general public as inventory allows. Prices typically start in the mid-to-high range for festival passes of this caliber.

Pro Tip: Sign up for newsletters on both festival sites and follow Slayer’s official channels for any potential presale codes or early access alerts.

Will There Be More Slayer Dates in 2026?

While only these two festival appearances have been confirmed so far, metal fans are already speculating about additional Reign in Blood 40th anniversary headline shows. Slayer has a history of selective one-off performances, and the demand remains extremely high.

Stay tuned to Slayer’s official website (slayer.net) and their social media for any future announcements.

Reign in Blood turns 40 in October 2026 — and Slayer is making sure the celebration is loud, fast, and merciless.