Slayer

Slayer is an American thrash metal band that began in California in 1981. The band was started guitarists Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King, as well as drummer Dave Lombardo and bassist/singer Tom Araya. Slayer is one of the "Big Four" of thrash metal music, along with Metallica, Anthrax and Megadeth.

Slayer's music has a fast and angry heavy metal style. The words to the band's songs are about murderers, Satan, religion, racism and war. Singing about these things gave the band a lot of controversy. Their music has inspired many other bands. Their third album, Reign in Blood, has been called one of the heaviest thrash metal albums.

Slayer has released ten studio albums, two live albums and a box-set. Four of the band's albums have been certified gold by the RIAA. The band has been the top band at many large music festivals around the world and their music has been added to many video games.

Band members
Current members
 Tom Araya – Lead vocals, bass (1981–present)
 Kerry King – Guitar (1981–present)
 Paul Bostaph – Drums (1992–1996, 1997–2001, 2013–present)
 Gary Holt – Guitar (2011–present)

Former members
 Jeff Hanneman – Guitar (1981–2013)
 Dave Lombardo – Drums (1981–1986, 1987–1992, 2001–2013)
 Tony Scaglione – Drums (1986–1987)
 Jon Dette – Drums (1996–1997, 2013)

 Discography 
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)

 References 

 Other websites 
Slayer's official website

Category:1980s American music groups
Category:1990s American music groups
Category:2000s American music groups
Category:2010s American music groups
Category:Thrash metal bands
Category:American heavy metal bands
Category:Musical groups from Huntington Beach, California