THE BEAST

Philip Anselmo   has commented on   SLAYER 's decision to embark on a "farewell" tour, calling it a "smart business" move.

Last week,   SLAYER , one of metal's most popular and influential bands of the past four decades, announced its "final world tour" via a 30-second video. The group also confirmed that its last-ever North American run of dates would feature support from   LAMB OF GOD ,   ANTHRAX ,   BEHEMOTH   and   TESTAMENT .

Asked in a new interview with   Revolver   for his take on   SLAYER 's announcement,   Anselmo laughed and said: "Put it this way: There's a lot of bands that have claimed they're doing one last tour. It's called smart business, to a degree. So I'll believe it if it happens. But when I was a young man,   SLAYER   changed my life — so whatever they decide all I can do is extend my love and admiration for the fellas in the band and wish them the best."

Anselmo   was also asked if he would consider collaborating with guitarist   Kerry King   on a future project once   SLAYER   was done touring. "You know, someone shot me an e-mail the other day saying there's been murmurs online about me and   Kerry   jamming together,"   Philip responded. "And you know everything you read on the Internet is always a hundred percent true. [ Laughs ] But the real truth is I haven't talked to   Kerry   since   Jeff Hanneman   passed away. I will say this, though: I'm on the worst side of life expectancy now, so for me to close any doors would be just flat out foolish. [ Laughs ] If   Kerry King   wants to do a record and it sounds cool, my door is always open."

SLAYER   will kick off the first leg of its farewell world tour with a May 10 concert at San Diego's Valley View Casino Center, with dates running through June 20 at Austin's 360 Amphitheatre.

Philip 's solo project,   PHILIP H. ANSELMO & THE ILLEGALS , has just released its sophomore album,   "Choosing Mental Illness As A Virtue" , via   Anselmo 's   Housecore Records   in the U.S. and   Season Of Mist   in other parts of the world. The disc is the follow-up to   PHILIP H. ANSELMO & THE ILLEGALS ' debut,   "Walk Through Exits Only" , which came out in 2013 to mostly positive reviews.