Slayer

Slayer

Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	1981
Founder	Kerry King, Jeff Hanneman, Dave Lombardo, Tom Araya
Headquarters	Huntington Park, California , United States
Products	Music albums, live recordings, EPs, music videos

Slayer is a thrash metal group originating from Huntington Park, California, established in 1981 by guitarists Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman, drummer Dave Lombardo, and bassist/vocalist Tom Araya. Renowned for their rapid and intense sound, Slayer ranks among the "big four" thrash metal bands alongside Metallica, Megadeth, and Anthrax. The current roster features King, Araya, drummer Paul Bostaph, and guitarist Gary Holt, who became a permanent member following Hanneman’s passing in 2013. Former drummer Jon Dette was also part of the band’s lineup.

Lyrics were penned by King, Hanneman, and Araya, while all musical compositions were created by King and Hanneman. Their provocative subject matter—covering topics such as serial killers, religion, and war—has resulted in album bans, release postponements, legal disputes, and backlash from religious organizations. Nevertheless, Slayer’s impact on thrash metal remains profound; their third studio album, Reign in Blood (1986), is widely recognized as one of the most influential and weighty records within the genre.

Slayer’s catalog comprises twelve studio albums, three live recordings, a box set, six music videos, two EPs, and an album of cover songs. In the United States, four of their studio albums have received gold status. Between 1991 and 2013, they sold five million copies domestically according to Nielsen SoundScan data. The band garnered five Grammy Award nominations, securing two wins for "Eyes of the Insane" (2007) and "Final Six" (2008), both tracks from Christ Illusion (2006). Slayer officially disbanded in 2019 following a farewell tour but reunited intermittently for special performances beginning in 2024.

Formation and Early Period (1981–1983)

In 1981, Jeff Hanneman, Dave Lombardo, Tom Araya, and Kerry King came together to form Slayer in Huntington Park, California. Initially, the band performed covers of groups like Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, and Venom at local parties and clubs throughout Southern California. Their early aesthetic prominently featured Satanic imagery including pentagrams, makeup, spikes, and inverted crosses. Persistent rumors suggested that the band was originally named Dragonslayer; however, King has dismissed this as a long-standing misconception. According to Lombardo, prior to settling on Slayer, the group considered the name Wings of Fire. He also created the band’s logo inspired by a murderer’s carving technique; due to being left-handed, the emblem is unintentionally tilted to the right.

In 1983, Slayer secured an opening slot for the band Bitch at Anaheim’s Woodstock Club. It was there that Brian Slagel—the founder of Metal Blade Records—discovered them and invited Slayer to contribute an original track to his Metal Massacre III compilation album. Their track "Aggressive Perfector," released mid-1983, attracted underground attention and led to a contract with Metal Blade Records.

In a 1991 interview, Araya reflected that their earliest original compositions were more influenced by bands such as Scorpions and Iron Maiden, but these were abandoned after they concentrated on developing "Aggressive Perfector" for the Metal Massacre compilation.

Show No Mercy, Haunting the Chapel and Hell Awaits (1983–1986)

Lacking a formal recording budget, Slayer financed their first album independently by combining Araya’s personal savings—he was working as a respiratory therapist at the time—and a loan from King’s father. They entered the studio in November 1983 and released Show No Mercy through Metal Blade Records in December. The album cultivated a strong underground following, bolstered by a California club tour, ultimately selling more than 40,000 copies worldwide.

In early 1984, King briefly joined Dave Mustaine's band Megadeth, but departed after only five performances due to scheduling conflicts, igniting a long-term rivalry between the two groups.

The three-song EP Haunting the Chapel was issued in June 1984, marking a transition toward a heavier, thrash-metal sound that would define Slayer’s musical direction. The track "Chemical Warfare" quickly became a concert favorite.

Later that year, Slayer embarked on their inaugural national club tour, traveling in Araya’s Camaro accompanied by a U-Haul trailer. In November 1984, they recorded the live album Live Undead in New York City.

By March 1985, Slayer toured nationally alongside Venom and Exodus, during which they produced their first live video, Combat Tour: The Ultimate Revenge, filmed at Studio 54. Their European live debut occurred as they opened for UFO at Belgium’s Heavy Sound Festival.

After Show No Mercy surpassed 40,000 sales, Metal Blade financed their sophomore album with producer Ron Fair. Released in April 1985, Hell Awaits expanded on darker themes through progressive song structures and intricate arrangements. The title track features backmasked demonic voices as an introduction. The album received positive acclaim, earning Slayer accolades for best band and live act in the 1985 Metal Forces Readers Poll, with Dave Lombardo recognized as best drummer.

Reign in Blood, Lombardo's hiatus and South of Heaven (1986–1989)

Following Hell Awaits, Slayer signed with Def Jam Records—a label newly established by Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin primarily focused on hip hop. Under Rubin’s production and with access to a major label budget, Slayer revamped their sound on Reign in Blood, emphasizing shorter, faster tracks with clearer production and hardcore punk influences instead of the complex arrangements featured on earlier releases.

Columbia Records, Def Jam’s distributor at the time, declined to release the album due to controversy surrounding the song "Angel of Death", which describes Nazi concentration camps and medical experiments during the Holocaust. Consequently, Geffen Records handled distribution when the album launched on October 7, 1986, although it was not included in their official release schedule. Despite limited radio exposure, Reign in Blood became Slayer’s first entry on the Billboard 200 chart—peaking at number 94—and also their initial gold-certified record in the United States.

While touring to promote Reign in Blood, Slayer supported Overkill and opened for W.A.S.P., but drummer Dave Lombardo exited after one month over financial disputes. Tony Scaglione from Whiplash temporarily replaced him until Lombardo returned in 1987. At Rubin’s request, Slayer recorded a cover of Iron Butterfly’s "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" for the soundtrack of the film Less than Zero. Although the band was dissatisfied with the track, it received some radio play.

In late 1987, Slayer began work on their fourth album with an intentional shift toward slower tempos and increased melodic vocals as a contrast to Reign in Blood. Released in July 1988, South of Heaven garnered mixed critical responses but became Slayer’s highest-charting album to date—debuting at number 57 on the Billboard 200—and achieved gold status. Critics were divided: AllMusic described it as "disturbing and powerful," whereas Rolling Stone dismissed it as "offensive satanic drivel." King later acknowledged it as his "most lackluster performance," though Araya observed that fans’ appreciation grew over time.

The South of Heaven tour spanned from August 1988 through January 1989, featuring support slots for Judas Priest during their Ram It Down tour and headlining a North American run alongside Motörhead and Overkill.

Seasons in the Abyss and Lombardo's Second Exit (1990–1993)

In early 1990, Slayer entered the studio alongside co-producer Andy Wallace to work on their fifth studio album. In response to criticism aimed at South of Heaven, the band reintroduced the intense velocity reminiscent of Reign in Blood while preserving a melodic sensibility. Released on October 9, 1990, Seasons in the Abyss marked Slayer’s inaugural release on Rubin’s newly established Def American label following their departure from Def Jam under Russell Simmons. The album initially charted at No. 57 and eventually climbed to No. 40 on the Billboard 200, earning gold certification two years later. Notably, it featured Slayer’s first-ever music video, which was shot at the Giza pyramid complex.

To promote Seasons in the Abyss, Slayer participated in the Clash of the Titans tour, co-headlining with Megadeth. The European segment of the tour included support from Testament and Suicidal Tendencies, whereas the North American leg featured Anthrax alongside then-rising act Alice in Chains. In 1991, Slayer commemorated their decade-long career with the release of a double live album titled Decade of Aggression, which debuted at No. 55 on Billboard.

Drummer Dave Lombardo departed in May 1992 due to internal disagreements and to be present for his child’s birth. He subsequently formed Grip Inc. with guitarist Waldemar Sorychta. Slayer then brought in former Forbidden drummer Paul Bostaph, who made his debut with them at the 1992 Monsters of Rock festival held at Castle Donington. Bostaph’s initial studio contribution was a medley consisting of three tracks by The Exploited, recorded alongside rapper Ice-T for the soundtrack of the film Judgment Night in 1993.

Divine Intervention, Undisputed Attitude and Diabolus in Musica (1994–2000)

Slayer unveiled Divine Intervention on September 27, 1994, marking their first album featuring Paul Bostaph on drums. The record explored themes such as notorious serial killers including Reinhard Heydrich and Jeffrey Dahmer, alongside subjects like homicide, church corruption, and governmental authority. Much of the lyrical direction was influenced by Araya’s fascination with serial killers.

In 1995, Slayer embarked on a global tour supported by opening acts Biohazard and Machine Head. They released concert footage titled Live Intrusion, which contained a cover of Venom’s "Witching Hour" performed with Machine Head. That same year, they played third billing at the Monsters of Rock festival, headlined by Metallica. The following year saw the release of Undisputed Attitude, an album primarily composed of punk covers from bands such as Minor Threat and The Stooges, supplemented by three original compositions. After its release, Bostaph departed to dedicate time to his own project Truth About Seafood. Slayer then enlisted Testament drummer Jon Dette for their appearance at Ozzfest 1996, where they shared headlining status with acts like Ozzy Osbourne and Sepultura. Due to internal conflicts, Dette was dismissed after a year, leading to Bostaph’s return to continue touring.

The band released Diabolus in Musica in 1998; it debuted at number 31 on the Billboard 200 chart with first-week sales exceeding 46,000 copies. Although completed by September 1997, its launch was postponed by nine months because of their label being acquired by Columbia Records. Critical reception was mixed; many reviewers criticized its adoption of nu metal elements such as down-tuned guitars and repetitive rhythmic patterns. Borivoj Krgin described it as "a weak effort at integrating contemporary influences" but suggested potential for future growth. Similarly, Ben Ratliff from The New York Times remarked on its monotonous quality.

This album represented Slayer's initial extensive use of dropped tuning, prominently featuring the tritone interval historically dubbed the Devil's interval. Additionally, they collaborated with digital hardcore band Atari Teenage Riot on "No Remorse (I Wanna Die)" for the soundtrack of Spawn. They also recorded a cover version of Black Sabbath’s "Hand of Doom" for the tribute compilation Nativity in Black II. Their supporting world tour included an appearance at UK’s Ozzfest in 1998.

God Hates Us All (2001–2005)

In the middle of 2001, Slayer participated in Pantera's final significant North American Extreme Steel Tour, sharing the stage with Morbid Angel, Pantera, Skrape, and Static-X. Following postponements caused by remixing and the need for slip covers due to provocative artwork, Slayer released God Hates Us All on September 11, 2001. This album brought Slayer their inaugural Grammy nomination for the track "Disciple," although the award ultimately went to Tool for "Schism." The tragic events of September 11 disrupted the 2001 European Tattoo the Planet tour, which was originally planned with Pantera, Static-X, Cradle of Filth, Biohazard, and Vision of Disorder. UK dates faced delays because of flight restrictions; most bands withdrew except for Slayer and Cradle of Filth.

To fill the lineup, acts such as Amorphis, In Flames, Moonspell, Children of Bodom, and Necrodeath joined the tour. Biohazard later re-entered the schedule with rescheduled performances. Drummer Paul Bostaph departed in late 2001 due to a persistent elbow injury. Slayer's manager Rick Sales reached out to original drummer Dave Lombardo to finish the tour; Lombardo agreed and rejoined as a full-time member.

Between 2003 and 2004, Slayer embarked on an extensive touring period, notably performing Reign in Blood in its entirety during the "Still Reigning" tour. The closing track "Raining Blood" included theatrical blood effects on stage and was documented in the 2004 DVD Still Reigning. Additionally, they released the live album War at the Warfield and a comprehensive box set titled Soundtrack to the Apocalypse, which contained rare tracks, live recordings, and various merchandise items. From 2002 through 2004, Slayer played over 250 concerts, headlining major events like H82k2 and Ozzfest 2004, as well as touring Europe alongside Slipknot. A notable moment occurred at England's Download Festival when Lombardo substituted for Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich due to illness, performing alongside Slipknot's Joey Jordison.

Christ Illusion (2006–2008)

Christ Illusion, slated initially for release on June 6, 2006, marked Slayer’s first album featuring original drummer Dave Lombardo since 1990’s Seasons in the Abyss. The release was postponed to avoid debuting on the symbolic date 6/6/06—a deliberate choice to set themselves apart from other bands—alongside constraints related to studio scheduling. Instead, Slayer issued a limited-edition EP titled Eternal Pyre on June 6, which included the song "Cult" and live performance footage; this EP quickly sold out through Hot Topic outlets. A limited-run 7" vinyl picture disc was also produced.

The album entered the Billboard 200 chart at number five with over 62,000 copies sold during its first week—Slayer’s highest charting position to date—surpassing their previous best with Divine Intervention. Despite this impressive debut, it fell to number 44 in its second week. Three weeks after its release, Slayer was inducted into the Kerrang! Hall of Fame in recognition of their significant impact on heavy metal music.

To promote Christ Illusion, Slayer launched The Unholy Alliance Tour, which experienced an initial delay due to vocalist Tom Araya undergoing gallbladder surgery. The tour featured acclaimed metal groups including In Flames, Mastodon, Children of Bodom, and Lamb of God, spanning both North America and Europe. Many of these bands later reunited for Japan’s Loudpark Festival in October 2006.

The lead single "Eyes of the Insane", accompanied by a music video released on October 30, 2006, appeared on the soundtrack for Saw III and secured a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance at the 49th Grammy Awards ceremony. Due to ongoing touring obligations, Slayer was unable to attend the awards event. That year also saw them performing at Spangdahlem U.S. Air Force Base in Germany—their first concert on a military installation—and making their network television debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, delivering multiple songs despite some censorship prompted by controversial lyrics.

In 2007, Slayer toured Australia and New Zealand alongside Mastodon and participated in major festivals such as Download Festival and Rock Am Ring. They further expanded their international presence by joining a summer tour with Marilyn Manson and Bleeding Through, reinforcing their global touring efforts during this timeframe.

World Painted Blood (2009–2011)

In 2008, Araya voiced doubts regarding Slayer's continuation, mentioning that after fulfilling their last contractual album, they would reassess their future. King expected to produce at least two additional records before contemplating disbandment. During late 2008, Slayer toured across Europe alongside Trivium, Mastodon, and Amon Amarth as part of 'The Unholy Alliance: Chapter III'. They led the lineup for the 2009 Mayhem Festival and shared co-headlining duties with Megadeth on the Canadian Carnage tour, marking their first joint performances in over fifteen years.

Slayer’s eleventh studio release, World Painted Blood, was issued by American Recordings on November 3, 2009, in North America and a day earlier internationally. The album drew inspiration from earlier works like Seasons in the Abyss, South of Heaven, and Reign in Blood. In June 2010, Slayer joined Metallica, Megadeth, and Anthrax for a landmark concert at Bemowo Airport in Warsaw—the inaugural occasion featuring all four bands on the same stage. Subsequent Big Four events included satellite broadcasts and appearances at Sonisphere Festival dates. Slayer and Megadeth co-headlined the American Carnage Tour (July–October 2010) and European Carnage Tour (March–April 2011), with Anthrax and Testament also participating. For the first time, all Big Four members performed together at Sonisphere festivals in England and France. Slayer returned to Australia’s Soundwave Festival in early 2011 and participated with the Big Four in California.

At the beginning of 2011, guitarist Jeff Hanneman was diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis, likely contracted from a spider bite. He underwent intensive medical treatment including skin graft procedures. During his absence, Slayer continued touring by enlisting Gary Holt from Exodus as a temporary stand-in; Pat O'Brien of Cannibal Corpse substituted for Holt during a leg of the European tour. Hanneman made a brief return to perform the final two songs at the American Big Four show on April 23, 2011, in Indio, California—his last live appearance with the band.

Hanneman's passing, Lombardo's third departure, and Repentless (2011–2016)

When questioned about new material, Lombardo affirmed plans for another album despite nothing being written yet. Araya indicated that writing would not commence until Hanneman’s health improved. To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Reign In Blood, Slayer performed the entire album at London’s All Tomorrow's Parties festival.

By November 2011, Lombardo announced via Twitter that songwriting had begun again, suggesting Hanneman’s condition had stabilized. King and Lombardo completed three tracks and aimed to enter the studio early in 2012 with hopes for a summer release; however, King later anticipated a launch closer to late 2012 or early 2013. In July 2012, King disclosed two track titles: "Chasing Death" and "Implode".

In February 2013, Slayer parted ways with Lombardo due to a financial disagreement prior to their Soundwave festival appearance. Both the band and American Recordings stated that Lombardo proposed terms conflicting with previous arrangements. Paul Bostaph returned to fill Lombardo’s role on tour. By May 2013, Bostaph had rejoined Slayer permanently. King later confirmed he had ended his professional relationship with Lombardo indefinitely.

Jeff Hanneman passed away on May 2, 2013, from liver failure related to alcohol use. King affirmed that Slayer would carry on as a tribute to Hanneman’s legacy, although Araya expressed hesitation about proceeding without him. Nevertheless, Slayer continued working on material following World Painted Blood, including compositions penned by Hanneman.

At the 2014 Revolver Golden Gods Awards ceremony, Slayer premiered "Implode" and revealed their signing with Nuclear Blast for an album scheduled in 2015. Gary Holt assumed full-time guitar duties previously held by Hanneman but did not participate in songwriting. The band announced a seventeen-date U.S. tour beginning in June 2014 featuring Suicidal Tendencies and Exodus and later headlined the Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival in 2015.

Released on September 11, 2015, Repentless marked Slayer’s twelfth studio album. The group embarked on an extensive two-and-a-half-year tour cycle supporting the record that included European shows with Anthrax and Kvelertak in late 2015; North American tours alongside Testament and Carcass in early 2016; further dates with Anthrax and Death Angel later that year; followed by performances with Lamb of God and Behemoth during mid-2017. Additionally, they played a single Southeast Asian concert in the Philippines in 2017.

Abandoned thirteenth album, Final World Tour, and disbandment (2016–2019)

In August 2016, King revealed that Slayer possessed a significant amount of unused material from Repentless and were progressing on their subsequent album, although no studio sessions were scheduled before 2018. Unlike the previous record where guitarist Gary Holt did not participate in songwriting, King was receptive to Holt contributing creatively this time. By mid-2017, Holt expressed his willingness to assist in writing for the upcoming album, while King mentioned that six to eight partially recorded tracks from earlier sessions could constitute over half of the new record once lyrics were finalized. Nevertheless, these plans hinged on available time for touring and rehearsals.

Eventually, the idea of releasing another album was abandoned when Slayer announced their farewell world tour in January 2018 through a retrospective video montage celebrating their career. This decision was largely attributed to Tom Araya’s wish to stop touring to dedicate more time to his family, a sentiment confirmed by former drummer Dave Lombardo who noted Araya’s longstanding intention to retire due to health concerns.

The farewell tour commenced in North America from May to June 2018, featuring support acts such as Lamb of God, Anthrax, Behemoth, and Testament. A second North American leg took place in July and August with Napalm Death replacing Behemoth. The European segment occurred later in 2018, supported by Lamb of God, Anthrax, and Obituary. The tour extended into 2019 with dates across South America, Australia, Japan, and prominent European festivals like Hellfest and Graspop. Slayer also appeared at Mexico’s Force Fest in October 2018.

In December 2018, Holt withdrew from the European tour due to his father’s illness; Phil Demmel of Vio-lence and former Machine Head stepped in as his replacement. Holt confirmed that no new Slayer album would be released prior to the conclusion of the farewell tour. Steve "Zetro" Souza estimated the tour would last between one and two years.

The final North American leg, called "The Last Campaign," took place in November 2019 with opening acts Primus, Ministry, and Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals. Although promoted as a farewell tour, manager Rick Sales clarified that Slayer was ceasing touring activities but not necessarily dissolving as a band. Kristen Mulderig of Sales Entertainment Group suggested that Slayer-related endeavors might continue after the tour ended. However, shortly after its completion, King's wife Ayesha stated emphatically that there was "not a chance in hell" of any future reunion or new Slayer music.

Post-breakup period (2020–2024)

In March 2020, Kerry King hinted at pursuing musical ventures beyond Slayer through his endorsement deal with Dean Guitars, remarking, "Dean didn't sign me for nothing!" By August 2020, King disclosed he had accumulated material exceeding two albums for a new project. Drummer Paul Bostaph confirmed their collaboration on an effort intended to "sound like Slayer without actually being Slayer." This undertaking resulted in King’s solo debut album, From Hell I Rise, released on May 17, 2024. The record features King alongside Bostaph, Death Angel vocalist Mark Osegueda, Hellyeah bassist Kyle Sanders, and guitarist Phil Demmel, formerly of Vio-lence and Machine Head.

Other former members have remained musically active: Holt continues his work with Exodus, releasing Persona Non Grata in 2021. Lombardo has collaborated with several groups including Suicidal Tendencies, Dead Cross, the Misfits, and briefly rejoined Testament in 2022 before departing again in 2023. Jon Dette has performed with bands such as Animetal USA and Meshiaak and has filled in for both Anthrax and Volbeat. Araya has largely remained out of the public eye since Slayer’s final performances.

Regarding a possible reunion, members have expressed differing opinions. Holt stated in June 2020 that a reunion seemed improbable and believed the band concluded its career on their own terms. In March 2021, he remained open but saw no immediate plans for reuniting. King expressed regret later that year about Slayer retiring "too early," yet doubted any future shows apart from potential "Big Four" concerts alongside Metallica, Megadeth, and Anthrax. His wife Ayesha dismissed any reunion possibilities outright, asserting that King and Araya would "never be Slayer again." In February 2024, King reaffirmed that a reunion was unlikely as he focused on his solo career and revealed he had not communicated with Araya since the split. While describing a positive relationship with Araya, King acknowledged estrangement from Lombardo due to financial disputes influenced by Lombardo's former legal counsel.

Reunion (2024–present)

Although King initially expressed skepticism about a Slayer reunion, the band revealed on February 21, 2024, their return to the stage with a performance at Riot Fest scheduled for September 22. This was to be followed by another appearance at Louder Than Life five days afterward. Unfortunately, the September 27 event at Louder Than Life, including Slayer's set, was canceled due to severe weather caused by Hurricane Helene. The reunion involved the lineup from 2013 to 2019: bassist and vocalist Tom Araya, guitarists Kerry King and Gary Holt, along with drummer Paul Bostaph. Additionally, the group headlined the opening night of the Aftershock Festival in Sacramento on October 10, 2024, framing the occasion as a commemoration of five years since their final concerts.

In various interviews, King clarified that this reunion was strictly confined to these festival performances, with no intentions of producing new material or embarking on tours, as he preferred to focus on his solo endeavors. Bostaph reaffirmed this stance in October 2024, indicating that Aftershock would likely serve as their concluding show. Despite this, Slayer was announced as headliners for the 2025 Louder Than Life festival following the previous year's cancellation.

In July 2025, Slayer returned to the UK stage for the first time in six years, delivering two headline performances and supporting Black Sabbath during their farewell concert at Villa Park. They also made their first Canadian appearance in six years at the FEQ Music Festival. After Louder Than Life 2025, Slayer staged a singular U.S. headline concert at Hersheypark Stadium, supported by acts such as Knocked Loose, Suicidal Tendencies, and Exodus.

Concerning future plans, Holt described the reunion as an arrangement evaluated annually that does not interfere with his ongoing role in Exodus. He emphasized that Slayer is no longer a full-time commitment and expressed his aspiration to conclude his career with his original band.

Slayer is slated to perform at the inaugural Sick New World Texas festival in Fort Worth on October 24, 2026, marking the 40th anniversary of their third studio album Reign in Blood.

Artistry

Slayer is predominantly identified as a thrash metal ensemble, frequently characterized as speed metal—a hybrid of punk rock thrash and heavy metal that primarily resonates with a male adolescent demographic. Their early releases were acclaimed for their "breakneck speed and instrumental skill," merging hardcore punk's rapid tempos with speed metal's intensity and exhibiting a raw, unrefined sound. The album God Hates Us All signified a return to this raw aesthetic, with some listeners categorizing it within nu metal.

Guitarists King and Hanneman gained recognition for their "wildly chaotic" yet "twisted genius" harmonized solos featuring nearly identical atonal sequences and whammy bar flourishes that became emblematic of Slayer’s signature sound. Original drummer Lombardo’s technique of employing two separate kick drums instead of a double pedal earned him acclaim as the "godfather of double bass," playing a pivotal role in shaping the band's forceful rhythmic foundation.

Lyrical contributions came from King, Hanneman, and Araya alike, while King and Hanneman composed most of the music alongside arrangements by Lombardo and occasionally Araya. The songwriting process was highly collaborative and flexible; typically, music was crafted first using 24-track demos or drum machines to refine riffs before integrating lyrics and guitar solos.

Slayer drew inspiration from hardcore punk groups such as Minor Threat, Dead Kennedys, Black Flag, Suicidal Tendencies, and GBH, as well as classic heavy metal and hard rock icons including Black Sabbath, Motörhead, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Kiss, Van Halen, Rush, Venom, and Mercyful Fate. Their influences also extended to thrash metal peers like Metallica and Exodus, whom they discovered through tape trading prior to releasing their debut album Show No Mercy.

Legacy

Slayer stands as one of the most pivotal bands in the evolution of heavy metal. According to Steve Huey from AllMusic, Slayer's distinctive musical approach grants them a more defined identity compared to the other members of the "Big Four" thrash metal groups—Metallica, Megadeth, and Anthrax—all of which ascended to prominence during the 1980s. MTV recognized Slayer's "downtuned rhythms, captivating guitar riffs, vividly violent lyrics, and macabre artwork" as influential elements that established benchmarks for emerging thrash bands and played a crucial role in the emergence of death metal, ranking them as the sixth greatest metal band ever. Meanwhile, VH1 positioned Slayer at number 50 on their 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock list. Guitarists Hanneman and King earned the 10th spot in Guitar World magazine’s "100 greatest metal guitarists," and Lombardo was honored as "Best Drummer." Furthermore, Slayer achieved top rankings in Revolver magazine’s readers' polls for "Best Band Ever," "Best Live Band," and "Band of the Year."

Author Joel McIver emphasizes Slayer’s instrumental influence in molding extreme metal, particularly impacting death and black metal subgenres. John Consterdine of Terrorizer asserted that extreme metal as it exists today would not be possible without Slayer’s contributions. Numerous influential artists from bands like Massacre, Death, and Andromeda attribute their inspiration to Slayer’s legacy. Testament guitarist Alex Skolnick lauded Slayer for their precise execution and aggressive sound, while drummers from Deicide and guitarists from Sepultura acknowledged Slayer’s foundational influence on their musical styles.

The 1986 release Reign in Blood is widely celebrated as a landmark album that established new standards within death metal, shaping the sound for pioneering groups such as Death, Obituary, Cannibal Corpse, Morbid Angel, and Napalm Death. It earned acclaim as the "heaviest album ever" by Kerrang!, was described as a "genre-defining" record by Stylus, and hailed as a "timeless classic" by AllMusic. In 2006, Reign in Blood was honored by Metal Hammer as the best metal album released over the previous two decades. Nielsen SoundScan data reveals that between 1991 and 2013, Slayer sold approximately 4.9 million copies within the United States.

Slayer’s influence extends across a wide range of notable bands including Pantera, Testament, Kreator, Body Count, Children of Bodom, Mayhem, Darkthrone, Avenged Sevenfold, Bullet for My Valentine, Trivium, As I Lay Dying, All That Remains, System of a Down, Killswitch Engage, Slipknot, Machine Head, DevilDriver, Lamb of God, Gojira, Behemoth, Evile, and Lacuna Coil. Dave Grohl once reflected, "My friends and I just wanted to listen to Slayer, take acid, and cause mayhem."

In 1995, Slayer was sued by the parents of Elyse Pahler, who claimed the band's lyrics incited the murder of their daughter. Pahler was tragically killed in a ritualistic assault carried out by three fans. The lawsuit was made public in 2000, accusing Slayer's promotional efforts of encouraging violence among teenagers. Nevertheless, the case was dismissed in 2001, with the court citing protections under free speech and the absence of foreseeability. A later amended complaint targeting Slayer and affiliated record labels also failed, as Judge E. Jeffrey Burke ruled that the band's music was neither obscene nor detrimental to minors.

Slayer has been accused of harboring Nazi sympathies, largely due to their eagle emblem resembling the Eagle atop swastika and the lyrics of "Angel of Death", which were inspired by the horrific acts of Nazi physician Josef Mengele during World War II. The band attributes the logo's creation to producer Rick Rubin, who based it on Jeff Hanneman’s research into Nazi military medals. Slayer has consistently rejected these allegations as misunderstandings.

The band’s rendition of Minor Threat's "Guilty of Being White" sparked controversy after modifying the chorus to "guilty of being right," drawing criticism from Minor Threat's frontman Ian MacKaye. Kerry King explained that this alteration was intended as "tongue-in-cheek" humor in response to accusations of racism.

In a 2004 interview, Tom Araya remarked that critics frequently misinterpret Slayer’s use of satire and their crafted image designed to provoke reactions. He also dismissed rumors suggesting that band members were Satanists, clarifying their interest in such themes was part of broader artistic exploration.

The track "Jihad" from Christ Illusion generated controversy for depicting the events of September 11 from a terrorist’s viewpoint. King clarified that the song neither supports nor condemns either side, comparing it to their earlier provocative material. Promotional bus bench ads in Fullerton, California were removed after local authorities deemed them offensive.

In India, EMI India withdrew Christ Illusion following protests from Christian groups who objected to its graphic cover art by Larry Carroll and lyrics such as "Skeleton Christ" and "Jihad." The artwork featured Christ surrounded by blood and severed heads, which angered Mumbai’s Catholic Secular Forum. Subsequently, EMI destroyed all existing copies and announced no plans for reissuing the album within India.

Band members

Current

• Kerry King – guitars (1981–2019, 2024–present), backing vocals (1981–1983)
• Tom Araya – bass, lead vocals (1981–2019, 2024–present)
• Paul Bostaph – drums (1992–1996, 1997–2001, 2013–2019, 2024–present)
• Gary Holt – guitars (2013–2019, 2024–present; touring member 2011–2013)

Former

• Jeff Hanneman – guitars (1981–2013; died 2013), backing vocals (1981–1983)

From late 2010 until his passing in May 2013, Hanneman's involvement was limited due to necrotizing fasciitis contracted in January 2011. During this time, he performed publicly only once with the band and did not participate in recording new material after 2009's World Painted Blood. Kerry King handled all guitar recordings for subsequent albums but remained hopeful for Hanneman’s potential return. Hanneman died at age 49 from liver failure.

• Dave Lombardo – drums (1981–1986, 1987–1992, 2001–2013)
• Jon Dette – drums (1996–1997; touring member 2013)

Touring

• Bob Gourley – drums (1983)
• Gene Hoglan – drums (1983, 1996)
• Tony Scaglione – drums (1986–1987)
• Pat O'Brien – guitars (2011)
• Phil Demmel – guitars (2018)

Discography

Studio Albums

• Show No Mercy (1983)
• Hell Awaits (1985)
• Reign in Blood (1986)
• South of Heaven (1988)
• Seasons in the Abyss (1990)
• Divine Intervention (1994)
• Undisputed Attitude (1996)
• Diabolus in Musica (1998)
• God Hates Us All (2001)
• Christ Illusion (2006)
• World Painted Blood (2009)
• Repentless (2015)

Awards and Nominations

|- !scope="row"| 2002 | "Disciple" || Best Metal Performance || |- !scope="row"| 2007 | "Eyes of the Insane" || Best Metal Performance || |- !scope="row"| 2008 | "Final Six" || Best Metal Performance || |- !scope="row"| 2010 | "Hate Worldwide" || Best Metal Performance || |- !scope="row"| 2011 | "World Painted Blood" || Best Metal Performance || |-

|- !scope="row"| 2006 | Slayer || Kerrang! Hall of Fame || |- !scope="row"| 2013 | Slayer || Kerrang! Legend || |-

|- !scope="row"| 2003 | War at the Warfield || DVD of the Year || |-

Loudwire Music Awards

Year !Nominee / Work !Category !Result
2015	"Repentless"	Death Match Hall of Fame	Template:Won
		Best Metal Video	Template:Won
		Best Metal Song	Template:Nom
	Repentless | Best Metal Album	Template:Nom
"You Against You" | Best Metal Video	Template:Nom

|- !scope="row"| 2004 | Slayer || Best Live Act || |- !scope="row"| 2006 | Reign in Blood || Best Album of the Last 20 Years || |- !scope="row"| 2007 | "Eyes of the Insane" || Best Video || |- !scope="row"| 2007 | Slayer || Icon Award || |- !scope="row"| 2008 | Kerry King || Golden God Award || |-

Metal Hammer Awards (Germany)

Year !Nominee / Work !Category !Result
Kerry King |God of Riffs Award	Template:Won
Jeff Hanneman |God of Riffs Award	Template:Won

Metal Storm Awards

Year !Nominee / Work !Category !Result
Christ Illusion |Best Thrash Metal Album	Template:Won
World Painted Blood |Best Thrash Metal Album	Template:Nom
"Repentless" |Best Video	Template:Won
Repentless |Best Thrash Metal Album	Template:Nom

Revolver Golden Gods Awards

Year !Nominee / Work !Category !Result
Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King |World's Most Mind-Blowing Guitarists	Template:Won
2010	Best Live Band Nominee	Template:Nom
	World Painted Blood |Album of the Year Nominee	Template:Nom
	Dave Lombardo |Drummer of the Year Nominee	Template:Nom
Slayer |Best Live Band Nominee	Template:Nom
"Pride in Prejudice" |Best Film and Video Nominee	Template:Nom

External links

• Slayer - Wikipedia Fact or Fiction featured on Loudwire