Slayer is an American thrash metal band, widely considered one of the genre's "big four" alongside Metallica, Megadeth, and Anthrax. Formed in 1981 in Huntington Park, California by guitarists Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman, drummer Dave Lombardo, and bassist/vocalist Tom Araya, Slayer quickly rose to fame with their fast-paced, aggressive style. Known for their controversial and dark lyrics, the band's music often delves into themes of satanism, serial killers, and warfare, creating a niche that they would dominate throughout their career.

Slayer's influence on the heavy metal scene is undeniable, with their 1986 album "Reign in Blood" frequently cited as one of the greatest metal albums of all time. Over the years, Slayer continued to release a steady stream of albums that cemented their status as one of the pillars of thrash metal. The band maintained a consistent presence in the genre across four decades and showcased their characteristic ferocity and precision on tours across the globe. Though faced with lineup changes over the years, with founder Jeff Hanneman passing away in 2013 and Dave Lombardo departing and returning several times, the band persisted until announcing their farewell tour, "The Final Campaign," which concluded in 2019, rounding out the storied career of one of heavy metal’s most revered and influential acts.

Genres

Alternative Metal

Death Metal

Groove Metal

Hard Rock

Metal

Old School Thrash

Rock

Speed Metal

Thrash Metal

Related Artists

Megadeth

Metallica

Testament

Pantera

Anthrax

Sepultura

Kreator

Overkill

Exodus

Lamb of God

Sodom

Killswitch Engage

Latest Release

The Repentless Killogy (Live at the Forum in Inglewood, CA)

Slayer

Album - 21 Tracks - Released November 8, 2019