Slayer is a California thrash metal band formed in 1981 by two guitarists Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman.
The band began to be known especially for their album Reign in Blood, which they released in 1986, and they succeeded in selling more than 3.5 million albums between 1991 and 2004. Slayer; Along with Metallica, Megadeth, and Anthrax, they are considered one of the Big Four of thrash metal.
The band's musical style is formed by blending the music of the band members who like different styles of music. Kerry King, who likes hard music and is a Venom fan, is the dark side of Slayer and Jeff Hanneman is the punk side of Slayer. The high speed of the compositions is provided by Dave Lombardo and Tom Araya integrates the group with his screaming vocals.
I mentioned that the band was founded in 1981 by King and Hanneman. King included Chilean-born bass guitarist and vocalist Tom Araya, with whom he had worked before, and they started their journey by playing covers of Judas Priest and Iron Maiden at certain venues in California. In these periods, the use of satanic symbols such as inverted crosses, nails, and black make-up in their concerts caused heavy reactions from some parts, and they were loved by others.
Continuing their work by playing covers for about a year, the band starts performing at a local bar, Woodstock. Brian Slagel, the owner of Metal Blade company, who watches Slayer on stage, offers the band a song on the compilation CD Metal Massacre III as soon as he watches them. After taking part in this compilation, the band released their first album, Show No Mercy, in 1983 with the help of Brian Slagel, went on their first tour, and broke up with the record company due to the problems on their return.
Slayer ignores all obstacles and releases the Hell Awaits album in 1985. People who make bad comments about their old satanist approach can only applaud this album. The album, which includes classics such as Necropiliac, Kill Again, and Hell Awaits, sells around 100,000 and manages to attract the attention of major record companies.
When problems arose with the record company in 1986, the band met Rick Rubin, a famous producer, and the legendary album Reign in Blood was released in the same year. This album is still referred to as the best thrash-metal album ever, according to most thrash-metal lovers, with its hardness and speed. In addition, this album sold 500,000, giving Slayer his first gold record award.
Interesting Facts About Slayer
According to some sources, Slayer, who wants to announce his success with the Show No Mercy album in his country, is given a small minibus by the record company and they go around town to give concerts with it. When they return, they have no money to give to the record company because they spend it all during the tour.
The song Angel of Death, written by Jeff Hanneman, who has an interest in the Nazis, is about the Nazis' doctor, Joseph Mengele, who was famous for his torture. The songs about the nazis on this album cause Slayer to be seen as pro-Nazi by many, but the band declares that this is wrong in their statements.
In March 1992, problems occur again within the group. Complaining that Lombardo is not interested in the band, the band members kick drummer Dave Lombardo from the band. After that, Paul Bostaph, who was idle towards the end of 1992, joins the group. At the same time, Dave Lombardo explains about his band members, "They were alcoholics who did nothing but drink beer and watch TV."
It is known that Live Undead is not a real live album. The album was recorded with the studio audience and released by Brian Slagel without Slayer's permission.
ESP company offers Kerry King a signature guitar, but Kerry King always prefers BC Rich.
When you listen to the intro of Hell Awaits in reverse, it sounds like “Join us, join us, join us, join us…welcome back”.