According to a press release, Slayer founders Tom Araya, Kerry King, Jeff Hanneman and Dave Lombardo are at work in a Los Angeles studio on their first new album since 1990's "Seasons in the Abyss." Rubin is serving as the set's executive producer, and he'll work closely with Josh Abraham (Korn, Velvet Revolver), who will produce the album.

"We're real happy to have Josh on the team," Hanneman said in a statement. "He's a very creative and intuitive guy, he knows music, and he really gets who Slayer is and what we're doing."

Slayer drummer Lombardo--who has joined and left the group on a few occasions--has been playing live with the band since its tour behind 2001's "God Hates Us All." The band began work on the forthcoming album after wrapping up its most recent North American tour in September 2004.

"It feels really good being back with the same guys I started out with," Lombardo said in a press release. "The chemistry is definitely there, that's the exciting part of it--to capture that chemistry again. And that's what is happening."

Working titles for some of the songs that will be recorded include "Catalyst," "Cult," "Supremist" and "Consfearacy."

"I like to write songs that have different meanings for different people, where everyone can say, 'I know what he means,' but still get their own sense of what the song is about," King said in a statement.

The seven-week "The Unholy Alliance Tour" is scheduled to launch June 6 (that's, not coincidentally, 6/6/06) in San Diego. Ticket prices won't exceed $39, according to a press release. Confirmed shows are below, and more shows will be announced.

Plans are to make the tour "an annual global event," Slayer manager Rick Sales said in a press release.