Slayer was formed in 1982, by Los Angeles schoolmates and guitarists Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King. Tom Araya soon joined on bass and vocals, and drummer Dave Lombardo joined last later in 1982. They played in a style reminiscent of early Exodus, influenced heavily by Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, before their attendance at a mid-1982 Metallica concert convinced them to play faster and heavier.

"Black Magic" was written in February 1983 and marked Slayer's definite venture into thrash metal. They secured a spot on the compilation appeareance "Metal Massacre III" in 1983, contributing the speed metal song "Aggressive Perfector". They also recorded two demos in 1983, and became a popular live act in the Los Angeles area. (In 1983, Bob Gourley filled in for Dave for one gig. He later appeared in Dark Angel (USA).) Their debut LP, Show no Mercy, was recorded in November, 1983.

A live EP was recorded in the studio in front of 50 of their closest friends in January, 1984, and after that "Show No Mercy" was released. The "Haunting the Chapel" and "Live Undead" EPs followed.

After 1985's "Hell Awaits", Slayer were signed to Rick Rubin's Def Jam record label, better known for acts like Run DMC. This led to three studio albums, including the brutal "Reign in Blood", as well as a 1991 live double CD, "Decade of Aggression".

Dave Lombardo left the band in 1987 for several weeks, and was replaced for a few live gigs by Tony Scaglione (Whiplash (USA)), and then again left in 1992. The band disappeared for a while, and was presumed killed in a bizarre gardening accident. Finally, in 1994, Paul Bostaph from Forbidden was brought in, and three more albums were recorded.

Then, in 2001, Bostaph left to join Systematic, and Lombardo, who had been in Grip Inc. and Fantômas rejoined the band.

Interesting facts:

It's official that Slayer is the most covered metal band in the world aside from Metallica.

Tom Araya was born in Valparaíso, Chile. He has provided guest vocals to recordings by other artists, including "Iron Gland" from Alice in Chains' album Dirt, and "Terrorist" from Soulfly's album Primitive.

Kerry King recorded a guitar solo for "No Sleep Til' Brooklyn" by the popular hip-hop/rock group Beastie Boys.

Tom Araya's brother John (Bloodcum (USA)) worked as an sound engineer for Slayer in their early days.

Gene Hoglan, the legendary drummer who has played in bands such as Dark Angel (USA), Strapping Young Lad, and Death, used to be a Slayer lights man and roadie on the Show No Mercy tour, and was asked to be Dave Lombardo's drum tech on the Haunting North America tour ('84), but knocked it back to pursue his own music career. He even did backup vocals on the album Show No Mercy (the song Evil Has No Boundaries).

The band was never known as Dragonslayer. This has been refuted in countless interviews. And Slayer is not an acronym for anything. DO NOT add false information!

Born Dates:
Tom Araya (06 June 1961 Valparaiso, Chile)
Jeff Hannemann (31 January 1964 Oakland, CA)
Kerry King (03 June 1964 Los Angeles, CA)
Dave Lombardo (16 February 1965 Havana, Cuba)
Paul Bostaph (26 March 1964 Newark, CA)