Artisan News conducted an interview with SLAYER frontman Tom Araya before his recent back surgery. During the chat, he recalled a time where there was "real" mayhem on the road. He also talks about his first concert, the indomitable "Slayer!" chant, and the tour itself. Watch the video at this location.

SLAYER was forced to postpone its previously announced European tour that had been set to kick off on November 18 in the U.K. Araya has been under the care of a specialist for a back injury, and while he has already made substantial improvement, he is continuing on with doctor-prescribed treatment.

The tour has been rescheduled to kick off on March 7 in Manchester, England.

Last week, SLAYER announced the postponement of its East Coast "Canadian Carnage" co-headline tour with MEGADETH; those dates will be rescheduled for February 2010.

SLAYER's new album, "World Painted Blood", sold 41,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 12 on The Billboard 200 chart.

"World Painted Blood" first-week chart positions:

Canada: #8
Australia: #9
Germany: #7
U.S.: #12
Finland: #12
Norway: #15
Netherlands: #15
New Zealand: #16
Denmark: #21
Ireland: #38
United Kingdom: #41

SLAYER's last CD, "Christ Illusion", opened with more than 62,000 units to debut at position No. 5 on The Billboard 200 chart. This was the highest position ever on the chart for SLAYER, who previously reached No. 8 with their 1994 release "Divine Intervention" after moving 93,000 copies of that album in its first week.

SLAYER's 2001 album, "God Hates Us All", registered a first-week tally of 51,000 to land at No. 28, while 1998's "Diabolus In Musica" opened with 46,000 units, debuting at No. 31.

"God Hates Us All" has sold 319,000 copies and its predecessor, "Diabolus In Musica", has moved 306,000 copies so far. Several of the earlier SLAYER albums have been certified gold for sales in excess of 500,000 copies in the United States, including "Divine Intervention".