Slayer [ tickets ] has extended its current North American tour, which kicked off just before Halloween, into early 2002.

The veteran death-metal band is scheduled to wrap up the latest leg of its headlining tour early next month and take several weeks off before returning to the road in mid-January for the new dates, which run into early February.

Slayer's latest album, "God Hates Us All" (American Recordings) was released in September and entered the Billboard 200 album chart at No. 28. The album was produced by Matt Hynde (Monster Magnet, Porno for Pyros), and was mixed by American Recordings head Rick Rubin, who produced many of the group's previous releases.

"God Hates Us All" is being streamed in its entirety at Slayer's official website.

Fellow metal acts American Head Charge and Chimaira are opening for Slayer until Dec. 11. No openers for Slayer's 2002 dates have been announced.

In October, a Superior Court judge in California dismissed a lawsuit filed against Slayer by the parents of a 15-year-old girl who was murdered by three teens who claimed they were incited by the band's lyrics.

Click here for an interview with Slayer.

Click here for a review of "God Hates Us All."