Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman had to leave the band in 2011 due to contracting ecrotizing fasciitis, a debilitating skin disorder that some say "eats your flesh".  Hanneman died of liver failure yesterday at the age of 49. 

Fellow musicians went twitter yesterday to express their condolences to Jeff. 

"RIP TO A TITAN OF METAL," wrote Disturbed vocalist David Draiman. 

"WOW ... I'm in shock," tweeted former Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy. 

"RIP brother. You will be missed." wrote Black Label Society and Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Zykk Wylde. 

Hanneman was born January 31, 1964 in in Oakland, California and grew up in Long Beach, California.  He had a love for punk music and bands like the Dead Kennedys.

Slayer started in Huntington Park, California in 1981 by guitarists Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman. Their 1986 release Reign in Blood is the one that shot them into fame in the metal world.

Hanneman had a big hand in the songwriting behind some of the heavey metal band's favorite songs "Angel of Death", "Dead Skin Mask" and "South of Heaven".  

Slayer became one of the "Big Four" thrash metal acts, along with Metallica, Megadeth and Anthrax. 

The four bands recently did select tour dates with all of the "Big Four" bands sharing the stage together for the first time.  It was one of the most epic moments for heavy metal fans to see all four bands together. 

Slayer as sold over 20 millions albums at date.