Slayer will hit the road and decimate stages on this summer's Rock Star Energy Drink Mayhem Festival but they will doing so without guitarist Jeff Hanneman. He will be sitting out the tour to continue to long and arduous recovery process that stemmed from a bout with necrotizing fasciitis on his arm, a flesh-eating condition which was the result of a spider bite.

Today (May 1), the band posted an open letter to fans, detailing the reason that Hanneman would not be joining them on the summer trek. He was bit by the spider well over a year ago. He has had several operations and skin grafts, and was actually faced with the possibility of amputation and was placed in a medically induced coma at one point. He also had to learn to walk again. He must continue with his rehab and recovery and therefore can't tour.

The good news is that he is playing guitar again and writing. So there is a silver lining to this black cloud.

Below is the entire text of Slayer's note to the fans.

Slayer fans everywhere - it's time to let you know what is going on with our brother Jeff Hanneman.

As you know, Jeff was bitten by a spider more than a year ago, but what you may not have known was that for a couple of days after he went to the ER, things were touch-and-go. There was talk that he might have to have his arm amputated, and we didn't know if he was going to pull through at all. He was in a medically-induced coma for a few days and had several operations to remove the dead and dying tissue from his arm. So, understand, he was in really, really bad shape. It's been about a year since he got out of the hospital, and since then, he had to learn to walk again, he's had several painful skin grafts, he's been in rehab doing exercises to regain the strength in his arm; but best of all, he's been playing guitar. We were all excited when he joined us onstage for the encore a year ago at The Big Four show at Coachella. Since then, we've given him all the time and support he's needed to continue his rehab so he can come back to the band fully recovered and able to deliver the kind of shows we all want him to. While Jeff's been doing some writing and has been coming to rehearsal over the past several weeks, he has decided he needs to take more time to continue his rehab. While we want him back onstage with the band, all of us support his decision. So, we're very grateful that Gary Holt will continue to fill in for Jeff, and will tour with us until Jeff completes his rehab and is ready to return. How long will that be? The best and most honest answer we can give you is 'as long as it takes.' We also wanted you to know that we've been doing some writing and recording for the next Slayer album - we've tracked a few songs, and will finish the album when we're off the road later this year. Gary will join us on tour in Europe and the UK in May and June, and then we'll all see you on this Summer's Mayhem Festival.

Loudwire sends our best to Jeff Hanneman as he continues to navigate the recovery process. We look forward to his return to the stage. He will be replaced by Exodus' Gary Holt until he is ready, willing and able to take to the road with his band of brothers again.

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