Slayer

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This article is about the thrash metal band. For other uses, see Slayer (disambiguation).

Slayer is an American thrash metal band originating from Huntington Park, California. Formed in 1982 by guitarists Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King,<ref name="Slayer_biography">Marc Paschke and Eric Braverman (November 25, 2003). Read more about Slayer (US). American Recordings. Retrieved on 2006-10-27.</ref> Slayer so far released 10 studio albums, two live albums, and one boxed set. Slayer's origins stem from covering bands such as Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, with Hanneman and King producing the majority of Slayer's original lyrics.

Slayers graphic album art and lyrics, which touch on subjects such as serial killers, slating religion, the Holocaust and warfare, have generated strong criticism amongst religious groups and the general public.<ref name="Slayer's Lyrics 'Will Never Interfere With What I Believe'">Jenny Feniak (2006-10-7). Slayer's Lyrics 'Will Never Interfere With What I Believe'. Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved on 2006-11-29.</ref>

Slayer are often credited as one of the "Big Four" of thrash metal, along with Metallica, Anthrax, and Megadeth.<ref>Walser, pg. 14</ref>

[edit] History

[edit] 1980's

Slayer was formed when guitarist Kerry King was looking for other musicians to start up a new band. Jeff Hanneman answered his call who was interested in the ongoing punk movement.<ref name="SLAYER">Vincent Eldefors (2004-4-09). SLAYER. Retrieved on 2006-12-03.</ref> Dave Lombardo heard about Kerrys guitar collection and asked him if he wanted to jam.<ref name="Dave Lombardo">Dave Lombardo. Drummerworld. Retrieved on 2006-12-03.</ref> Kerry and Tom Araya previously knew each other from playing earlier in another band.<ref name="SLAYER" />

The band was formerly known as Dragonslayer before shortening its name to Slayer. The name originated from the 1981 movie Dragonslayer.<ref name="Kerry King about the Dragonslayer myth">Kerry King about the Dragonslayer myth. Faceculture (2006-10-20). Retrieved on 2006-11-29.</ref> Slayer was not chosen as an acronym for Satan Laughs As You Eternally Rot; rather, this wording, found on the liner notes to Divine Intervention, was added as a backronym after the name was shortened. Araya jokingly stated that they chose Slayer because "it was cool, easy to chant".<ref name="Quotes by Slayer">Janek Hellqvist. Quotes by Slayer.</ref> The backronym originated with the line "Laughing as you eternally rot" of the song "Live Undead" (South of Heaven, 1988) or the first vinyl pressing of the band's first album, Show No Mercy is rumored to have the words "Satan Laughs As You Eternally Rot" etched in the blank space.

Slayer's first album, Show No Mercy, was released in 1983 on Metal Blade Records. The record succeeded in gaining popularity and notice in the then-nascent metal community.^{[citation needed]}

The band's second release, the Haunting the Chapel EP, was much darker and more thrash-oriented than its predecessor, and laid the groundwork for what the band's classic sound would become.<ref name="Slayer : Haunting the Chapel">Ed Rivadavia. Slayer : Haunting the Chapel. All Music Guide. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.</ref> The opening track, "Chemical Warfare," which has become almost a permanent addition to Slayers live setlist.<ref name="Slayer Past & Present Tour Setlists">Slayer Past & Present Tour Setlists. Angelfire (2006). Retrieved on 2006-12-01.</ref> During 1984 Dave Mustaine recruited Kerry to play Megadeth's first live shows. Mustaine tried to get Kerry to focus on Megadeth but Kerry refused.<ref name="Dave Mustaine Slamming Slayer, Metallica, Kirk Hammett In 1984 Interview Surfaces!">Dave Mustaine Slamming Slayer, Metallica, Kirk Hammett In 1984 Interview Surfaces!. Pitriff (2004-11-14). Retrieved on 2006-12-03.</ref> In an interview Hanneman stated "I guess we’re gonna get a new guitar player".<ref name="An exclusive oral history of Slayer">An exclusive oral history of Slayer (2006-8). An exclusive oral history of Slayer. decibel. Retrieved on 2006-12-03.</ref> Kerrys friendship with Mustaine has since deteriorated.<ref>"Slayer's Kerry King Says Dave Mustaine Is 'A Cocksucker'" - Feb. 12, 2005. Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved on October 21, 2005.</ref>

The band's second full-length release, Hell Awaits, expanded on the darkness of Haunting the Chapel, hell and Satan were common song subjects. Musically is the band's most progressive offering, containing seven tracks. The intro to the album is a demonic-sounding voice repeating "Join us," reversed on tape to play backward, and ending with an ironic "Welcome back" before the title track proper begins.

</div> After Hell Awaits Slayer were offered a recording deal by Rick Rubin's Def Jam Recordings, a then largely rap-based label. The band signed and quickly began working on its third album with Rubin as co-producer. 1986's Reign in Blood, labeled a "thrash metal masterpiece" by critics.<ref name="Reign in Blood">Steve Huey. Reign in Blood. All Music Guide. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.</ref> Kerrang! called Reign in Blood "the heaviest album of all time".<ref name="Kerrang! Hall Of Fame">Kerrang! Hall Of Fame. Kerrang.com (2006-8-24). Retrieved on 2006-11-29.</ref>

South of Heaven, released in 1988, marked a significant musical departure. To contrast the speedy assault put forth on Reign in Blood, Slayer consciously slowed down the tempos and focused on sheer heaviness. While critics gave mixed reviews,<ref name="Slayer - Album Reviews">Kim Neely (2002). Slayer - Album Reviews. Rolling stone. Retrieved on 2006-11-29.</ref>The album was praised as evidence of Slayer's desire to grow musically.<ref name="Slayer South of Heaven">Alex Henderson (2006-8-24). Slayer South of Heaven. All Music Guide. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.</ref> The new sound disappointed a majority of the band's fans who had grown accustomed to the speed of earlier releases. The songs Mandatory Suicide and South of Heaven have become almost permanent additions to the band's live setlist.

Following the release of South of Heaven, the band recorded a thrash-metal cover of Iron Butterfly's signature song, In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida. This song was included on the soundtrack to the movie Less Than Zero.<ref name="Less Than Zero CD">Less Than Zero CD. Retrieved on 2006-11-29.</ref>

[edit] 1990's

Seasons in the Abyss was released in 1990 and was more of a return to the sound of Reign in Blood. A video clip for the title track had the band playing in the Middle East, shortly before the start of the Gulf War. Vocal overdubs on "Temptation" and a child's voice pleading underneath the track "Dead Skin Mask" about necrophile Ed Gein–as well as the title track, which originally made use of a flute.

A double live album, Decade of Aggression, was released in 1991. Slayer made an appearance at the 1992 Monsters of Rock festival at Castle Donington The band didn't release new material for the next three years. Slayer did record a cover of a song with rapper Ice-T for the soundtrack to the movie Judgement Night. Released on September 14, 1993 entitled "Disorder" though was actually a medley of three Exploited songs, "War", "UK '82", and "Disorder".

1994 saw the release of Divine Intervention. The new record, Slayer's first with new drummer Paul Bostaph, boasted songs about Jeffrey Dahmer ("213," his apartment number) and Reinhard Heydrich ("SS-3") amongst other themes of murder and the evils of church and government. Live Intrusion, a video of concert footage, was released the next year and features a joint cover of Venom's "Witching Hour" with Machine Head, who were Slayer's support on the spring 1995 tour. Relations between Kerry King and Robb Flynn have since badly deteriorated.<ref name="Machine head diary, 2004">Robert Flynn (2004-4-29). Machine head diary, 2004. Retrieved on 2006-11-28.</ref>

In 1996, Slayer released Undisputed Attitude which was a cover album off old punk songs. The band covered songs by Minor Threat, T.S.O.L., D.R.I., D.I., Dr. Know, Verbal Abuse and even Iggy and the Stooges. Songs "Can't Stand You" and "Ddamm" were previously unreleased punk songs written by Hanneman in 1984-1985 while in an unnamed side project. The album's ending track was an original song entitled "Gemini", to date the slowest song Slayer produced.

1996 saw a lawsuit brought against the band by the parents of Elyse Pahler, who accused the band of encouraging their daughter's murderers through their lyrics. The lawsuit was dismissed in 2001, for multiple reasons including "principles of free speech, [lack of a] duty and [lack of] foreseeability" - California Superior Court of San Luis Obispo County. A second lawsuit, an amended complaint for damages against Slayer, their label and other industry and label entities, was dismissed, Judge E. Jeffrey Burke stating "I do not consider Slayer's music obscene, indecent or harmful to minors".<ref name="Slayer: Out Of The Dock">Slayer: Out Of The Dock. Metal Hammer (2001-10-31). Retrieved on 2006-10-15.</ref>

Diabolus in Musica (Latin for "The Devil in Music")<ref name="Diabolus in Musica, The Tritone of Musick">David Cherubim (2004). Diabolus in Musica, The Tritone of Musick. Retrieved on 2006-11-29.</ref> was released in 1998 and marked, along with an altered logo, a change in compositional style for the band. The title itself refers to Slayer (and Heavy Metal generally) making use of the musical range referred to in the Middle Ages as The Devil's Scale. A successful world tour followed, with slayer making an appearance at the United Kingdom, Ozzfest 1998.

[edit] 2000's-Present

Problems playing the files? See media help. </li> </ul> </div> </div> God Hates Us All was released on September 11, 2001. The release date was delayed, as Wal-Mart would not carry the album with the original nailed bible cover art. Slip cover inserts were made and the delay pushed the release back to 9/11. Promotional material announcing the album title and release date drew an unintended connection with the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The title track Disciple received the band their first Grammy nomination, for "Best Metal Performance" on January 8, 2002. The award was won by Tool.<ref name=" 44th Grammy Awards - 2002">44th Grammy Awards - 2002. Rockonthenet (2002-27-2). Retrieved on 2006-11-29.</ref> Paul left the band shortly after the release of the album due to a chronic elbow injury. He was replaced by original drummer Dave Lombardo.<ref name="Slayer: Lombardo's back!">Slayer: Lombardo's back!. Kerrang! (2002-1-03). Retrieved on 2006-12-02.</ref> The 2001 Europe tour "Tattoo the Planet", was jeopardized by the 9/11 attacks. The tour was originally set to feature Pantera, Static X, Biohazard and Vision of Disorder. Dates had to be cancelled or postponed due to flight restrictions. The bands decided to withdraw, except for Static X .<ref name="Tattoo The Planet Officially Postponed">Tattoo The Planet Officially Postponed. Kerrang! (2001-10-13). Retrieved on 2006-11-29.</ref> They were replaced by Cradle of Filth and other bands depending on the place; among them, Amorphis, In Flames, Moonspell, Children of Bodom and Necrodeath. Slayer toured playing Reign in Blood entirety throughout fall 2003, they never did on the original album tour, under the tour banner "Still Reigning". Their playing of the final song "Raining Blood" culminated with the band being drenched in a rain of fake blood. Two live DVDs were released, (War at the Warfield and Still Reigning) and a box set (Soundtrack to the Apocalypse) featuring rarities, live CD and DVD performances and various Slayer paraphernalia. The much anticipated new album Christ Illusion was to be released on June 6, 2006. However, due to recording difficulties, the date was pushed back. This album would be the first with original drummer Dave Lombardo since Seasons in the Abyss.<ref name="Meet the new Slayer, same as the old Slayer'l">Andy Patrizio (2006-8-14). Meet the new Slayer, same as the old Slayer. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.</ref> Instead of the full album, Slayer released Eternal Pyre on June 6, 2006, a limited-edition EP that featured the song Cult, a live performance of War Ensemble in Germany, video footage of the band recording Cult in the studio and a five minute video of a slayer fan, carveing the bands name onto his forearm. Copies were exclusively sold through Hot Topic chainstores.<ref name="'Eternal Pyre">Eternal Pyre. Blabbermouth.net (2006-6-17). Retrieved on 2006-12-01.</ref> The pressing of 5,000 CDs sold out within hours of release. Despite only having 5,000, debuted in the Finnish charts at #2.<ref name="'Slayer's 'Eternal Pyre' Enters Finnish Charts at #2">Slayer's 'Eternal Pyre' Enters Finnish Charts at #2. Metalunderground.com (2006-7-6). Retrieved on 2006-12-01.</ref> Cult was released on the bands website on June 6, 2006 at 6:06am.<ref name="'Slayer's Entire Song 'Cult' Available for Streaming Onlinee">Slayer's Entire Song 'Cult' Available for Streaming Online. Metalunderground.com (2006-6-6). Retrieved on 2006-12-01.</ref> Christ Illusion was eventually released on August 8, 2006 and immediately debuted at #5 on the Billboard Top 200 chart, selling over 62,000 copies.<ref name="Slayer's 'Christ Illusion' Is Band's Highest-Ever Billboard Chart Debut Entering at #5">Slayer's "Christ Illusion" Is Band's Highest-Ever Billboard Chart Debut Entering at #5. Yahoo (2006-8-16). Retrieved on 2006-11-29.</ref> This is the band's highest chart position in the United States to date, showing the 2000s to be the most commercially successful period for the band. Christ Illusion improved on their previous highest charting album Divine Intervention, which debuted at #8 in 1994.<ref name="Billboard" /> The following week, Christ Illusion dropped to #44 on the charts.<ref name="Metal, Rock and Alternative Music Doing Well In Billboard">Metal, Rock and Alternative Music Doing Well In Billboard (2006-8-23). Retrieved on 2006-11-25.</ref> During the week of the CD's release, the full album could be streamed on the bands MySpace page.<ref name="Slayer CD Now Streaming Online">Chad Bowar (2006-8-4). Slayer CD Now Streaming Online. About.com. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.</ref> Christ Illusion features the band's single "Cult" as well as the controversial "Jihad", concerning the 9/11 terrorist attacks by the point of view of one of the attackers. A worldwide tour, The Unholy Alliance, was undertaken to support the new record. In Flames, Mastodon, Children of Bodom, Lamb of God and Thine Eyes Bleed are supporting Slayer in this tour. The tour kicked off on the 6th of June and would last two months.<ref name="Slayer's 'Unholy Alliance' tour grows">Jon Zahlaway (2006-3-31). Slayer's 'Unholy Alliance' tour grows. livedaily. Retrieved on 2006-11-29.</ref> The video for the album's second single, "Eyes of the Insane", was released on October, 2006.<ref name="Eyes_of_the_Insane">Slayer release video for "Eyes Of the Insane". Punknews (2006-10-30). Retrieved on 2006-12-02.</ref> November 8, 2006 saw the band visit the 52nd Services Squadron located on the Spangdahlem U.S. Air Force Base in Germany. This was the first visit ever to a military base for the band.<ref name="SLAYER To Visit U.S. Troops; U.S">SLAYER To Visit U.S. Troops; U.S. Blabbermouth.net (2006-10-31). Retrieved on 2006-11-29.</ref>

[edit] Controversy

Slayer have been accused of holding Nazi sympathies, basing this claim on the lyrics of the song "Angel of Death". The lyrics were inspired by the acts of Josef Mengele, the doctor who committed atrocities against Jewish and Roma prisoners in the name of pseudo-scientific research during World War II, and who concentration camp inmates dubbed the "Angel of Death".<ref name="moreorless : heroes & killers of the 20th century - Josef Mengele">moreorless : heroes & killers of the 20th century - Josef Mengele. moreorless.com (2001-4-30). Retrieved on 2006-12-01.</ref>

In addition to the controversy caused by "Angel of Death", Slayer's cover of Minor Threat's "Guilty Of Being White" raised questions about a possible message of white supremacy in the band's music. Most of the controversy surrounding the cover involved the changing of the refrain "guilty of being white" to "guilty of being right" at the song's ending.<ref name="Guilty of Being White Lyrics">Guilty of Being White Lyrics. sing365.com. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.</ref> This reportedly incensed Minor Threat frontman Ian MacKaye, who stated "that is so offensive to me."<ref>Steven Blush, American Hardcore: A Tribal History by Steven Blush (New York: Feral House, 2001), "Guilty of Being White", in an interview with Ian MacKaye, 30-31.</ref> Slayer fans are sometimes referred to as the Slaytanic Wehrmacht,<ref name="The Official Slayer Fan Club">Janek Hellqvist. The Official Slayer Fan Club. Retrieved on 2006-11-30.</ref> which refers to the armed forces of the Nazi-Germany.

In a 2004 interview with Tom Araya, when asked, "Did critics realize you were wallowing in parody?", Tom Araya replied, "No. People thought we were serious!...Back then you had that PMRC, who literally took everything to heart. When in actuality you're trying to create an image. You're trying to scare people on purpose". Those who disagree with critics assert that Slayer have no Nazi sympathies or racist views, and point out that Tom Araya and Dave Lombardo have Hispanic ancestry.<ref name="Westword interview with Tom Araya - July 2004">John La Briola (2004-7). Westword interview with Tom Araya - July 2004. Slayersaves.com. Retrieved on 2006-12-02.</ref>

Slayer are often labbelled Satanists and devil worshippers due to their graphic lyrics and song titles dealing with death and Satan among other things. Tom stated they are not satanists but find the subject of satanism interesting.<ref name="Slayer’s Tom Araya on Satanism, serial killers and his lovable kids">Johnson Cummins. Slayers Tom Araya on Satanism, serial killers and his lovable kids. MontrealMirror.com. Retrieved on 2006-12-02.</ref> Members Dave,Jeff and Kerry are atheist. Tom is catholic, when asked if he believed in god replied "I believe in a supreme being, yeah. But He's an all-loving God".<ref name="Westword interview with Tom Araya - July 2004" />

Image:Slayer - Christ Illusion.jpg

The song "Jihad" of the album Christ Illusion, angered September 11th victims' families.<ref name="SLAYER SPARK 9/11 CONTROVERSY">SLAYER SPARK 9/11 CONTROVERSY. contactmusic (2006-5-26). Retrieved on 2006-11-29.</ref> The song is written from the perspective of a religious terrorist, people have drawn comparisons between "Angel of Death". The lyrics describe the victims as 'the great Satan', the following extract depicts, "When you reach ground zero you will have killed the enemy, The great Satan". <ref name=" SLAYER lyrics - 'Jihad' ">SLAYER lyrics - 'Jihad'. Oldielyrics.com. Retrieved on 2006-12-02.</ref>

In India, the album Christ Illusion was recalled by EMI India after protests with Muslim and Christian religious groups due to the nature of the graphic artwork which depicts Christ himself mutilated, with missing arms, an eye in a sea of blood with floating heads.<ref name="EMI">"India bans 'offensive' rock album", BBC News, 2006-10-11. Retrieved on 2006-10-11.</ref> On October 11, 2006 EMI announced that stocks had been destroyed.<ref name="EMI" /> EMI noted that it had no plans to re-release the record in India any time soon.<ref name="EMI" />

[edit] Discography

Main article: Slayer discography

[edit] Studio albums

• 1983: Show No Mercy
• 1985: Hell Awaits
• 1986: Reign in Blood #94 US<ref name="Billboard">Slayer's album chart history. Billboard.com. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.</ref> Gold, #47 UK<ref name="1985-1986_discography">Slayer's 1985-1986 discography. Rockdetector.com. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.</ref>
• 1988: South of Heaven #57 US<ref name="Billboard" /> Gold, #25 UK<ref name="1987-1989_discography">Slayer's 1987-1989 discography. Rockdetector.com. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.</ref>
• 1990: Seasons in the Abyss #40 US<ref name="Billboard" /> Gold, #18 UK<ref name="1990-1995_discography">Slayer's 1990-1995 discography. Rockdetector.com. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.</ref>
• 1994: Divine Intervention #8 US<ref name="Billboard" /> Gold, #15 UK<ref name="1990-1995_discography" />
• 1996: Undisputed Attitude #34 US<ref name="Billboard" />, #31 UK<ref name="1996-2006_discography">Slayer's 1996-2006 discography. Rockdetector.com. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.</ref>
• 1998: Diabolus in Musica #31 US<ref name="Billboard" />, #27 UK<ref name="1996-2006_discography" />
• 2001: God Hates Us All #28 US<ref name="Billboard" />, #31 UK<ref name="1996-2006_discography" />
• 2006: Christ Illusion #5 US<ref name="Billboard" />, #23 UK<ref name="1996-2006_discography" />

[edit] EPs

• 1984: Haunting The Chapel
• 2006: Eternal Pyre

[edit] Members

[edit] Current members

• Tom Araya - Bass, vocals (1982-Present)
• Kerry King - Guitars (1982-Present)
• Jeff Hanneman - Guitars (1982-Present)
• Dave Lombardo - Drums (1982-1986, 1987-1992, 2001-Present)

[edit] Former members

• Tony Scaglione - Drums (1986-1987)
• Paul Bostaph - Drums (1992-1996, 1997-2001)
• Jon Dette - Drums (1996-1997)

[edit] Timeline

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 from:2001 till:2006 text:"Dave Lombardo"

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[edit] References

<references/>

[edit] External links

• Official website
• Official Myspace page
• Slayer at MusicBrainz

Slayer
Tom Araya | Jeff Hanneman | Kerry King | Dave Lombardo Tony Scaglione | Paul Bostaph | Jon Dette
Discography
Albums and extended plays: Show No Mercy | Haunting the Chapel | Hell Awaits | Reign in Blood | South of Heaven | Seasons in the Abyss | Divine Intervention | Undisputed Attitude | Diabolus in Musica | God Hates Us All | Eternal Pyre | Christ Illusion
Live albums: Live Undead | Decade of Aggression
Compilations: Soundtrack to the Apocalypse
Videos and DVDs
Live Intrusion | War at the Warfield | Still Reigning
Songs
Angel of Death | Jesus Saves | Raining Blood | Behind the Crooked Cross | Blood Red | Dead Skin Mask | Seasons in the Abyss | Eyes of the Insane | Jihad

bg:Slayer

cs:Slayer da:Slayer de:Slayer et:Slayer es:Slayer fr:Slayer ko:슬레이어 (밴드) it:Slayer he:סלייר csb:Slayer hu:Slayer nl:Slayer ja:スレイヤー no:Slayer pl:Slayer pt:Slayer ro:Slayer ru:Slayer fi:Slayer sv:Slayer tr:Slayer

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