He bought four instruments from the SLAYER icon’s widow following his death from alcohol-related illness in 2013. They were sold to raise money for the Wounded Warriors Project, and although he hasn’t revealed how much he paid, they were each originally listed at $12,000.

 

And he’s reported that he’s finding inspiration from playing them as he writes for BROKEN HOPE’s seventh album.

 

Wagner tells Guitar World: “I feel a responsibility to Jeff and to Kathryn to use these guitars in a way that honours him.

 

“As long as I own them I will use them and carry on Jeff’s legacy. He remains a huge influence on me – I probably wouldn’t be here as an extreme metal guitarist-lyricist without him.”

 

He says that he won’t use any instruments other than Hanneman’s while on the album, adding: “Riffs are just flowing out of me.”

 

BROKEN HOPE plan to record the second record since their 2012 reunion early next year.