Slayer | Artist profile

About Slayer

Slayer is an American thrash metal band formed in 1981 in Huntington Park, California. The band was founded by guitarists Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman, drummer Dave Lombardo, and bassist/vocalist Tom Araya. Slayer's musical style is characterized by fast and aggressive playing, and the band is considered one of the "big four" of thrash metal, alongside Metallica, Megadeth, and Anthrax. The original lineup saw King, Hanneman, and Araya contributing to lyrics, with all music written by King and Hanneman. The band's lyrics and album art often addressed topics such as serial killers, occultism, terrorism, religion, fascism, racism, and war, leading to bans, delays, lawsuits, and criticism from religious groups. Slayer's third album, Reign in Blood (1986), is regarded as one of the heaviest and most influential thrash metal albums. The band’s current lineup includes King, Araya, drummer Paul Bostaph, and guitarist Gary Holt, who joined as a touring musician in 2011 and became a full member after Hanneman's death in 2013. Former drummer Jon Dette was also part of the band at one point.