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Slayer

Slayer is an American thrash metal band, formed in 1982 by guitarists Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King.[1] The band has since released ten studio albums, two live albums, and one boxed set, and remains one of the most influential thrash metal bands.

Slayer rose to fame in the 1980s as a leader of the American thrash metal movement, and helped to define the genre with their landmark 1986 release Reign in Blood, which Kerrang! magazine called "the heaviest album of all time".[2] Slayer are often credited as one of the "Big Four" of thrash metal, along with Metallica, Anthrax, and Megadeth. Often controversial, Slayer's graphic album art and lyrics have generated strong criticism amongst religious groups and the general public,[3] with topics such as serial killers, satanism, religion, warfare and the Holocaust.

History

1980s

File:Slayer80.jpg
Slayer, 1988

Early in 1982, guitarists Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman joined bassist and vocalist Tom Araya, and formed Slayer. Drummer Dave Lombardo, who met King while delivering pizzas,[4] completed the lineup. The band began playing cover versions of Iron Maiden and Judas Priest songs at clubs and parties around Southern California. Early shows relied on a satanic image, featuring pentagrams, face make-up, spikes, and upside down crosses.[5]

Slayer recorded their first demo, a rehearsal recording featuring the songs "Fight Till Death", "Black Magic" and "The Antichrist", in 1982.[6] The demo became widely traded in the 1980s underground tape trading scene.

Combining the twin lead guitar approach of bands like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, the imagery of Venom and Mercyful Fate, and the speed and aggression of hardcore punk, Slayer began to develop their own style. Early works were praised for their "breakneck speed and instrumental prowess".[5]

While opening for Bitch at the Woodstock Club in Los Angeles, Slayer were spotted by Brian Slagel, a former music journalist who had recently founded Metal Blade Records. Slagel convinced the band to record an original song "Aggressive Perfector", for his upcoming Metal Massacre III compilation, released in July 1983.[citation needed] The song created underground buzz, and the band signed a recording contract with Metal Blade. With no recording budget, the band were forced to self-finance their debut album. Combining Tom Araya's savings, who was employed as a respiratory therapist with money borrowed from King's father, the band entered the studio in November 1983 to record their debut.[6] The album was rushed into release by the new record label, hitting shelves three weeks after tracks were completed.[6] Template:Sound sample box align right

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Show No Mercy, released in December 1983 by Metal Blade Records, succeeded in gaining the band underground popularity in the then-nascent metal community.[citation needed] Following the album's release, Slayer began their first national club tour in 1984, traveling in Araya's Camaro, and towing a U-Haul trailer. The tour was successful in spreading the name of the band, sales of Show no Mercy reached over 20,000 in the US.[7]

In August 1984, Slayer released a four song EP, entitled Haunting the Chapel. The EP featured a darker, thrash-oriented style than its predecessor, laying the groundwork for the future direction of the band.[8] The opening track, "Chemical Warfare," has become a live staple, played at nearly every show since 1984. After the release of Haunting the Chapel, Slayer made their live European debut at the Marquee club in London, England, then returned to the US to begin the "Haunting North America" 1984 tour. Following the tour, Kerry King temporarily left Slayer to join Dave Mustaine's new band Megadeth.[9] Hanneman thought they would need a new guitar player, stating in an interview "I guess we’re gonna get a new guitar player".[10] While Mustaine wanted King to stay on a permanent basis, King rejoining Slayer after five shows, stating that Megadeth was "taking too much of my time".[citation needed] The split caused a rift between King and Mustaine, which evolved into a long running feud between the two bands.[11]

Following King's return, the band embarked on the 1984 Combat Tour, with Venom and Exodus. In November 1984, Slayer released the Live Undead EP. Although said to be "live", it was actually recorded in a New York recording studio, with fans brought in to provide crowd noise. Early in 1985 Slayer also released their first live home video, dubbed Combat Tour: The Ultimate Revenge. The video featured live footage filmed at New York's Studio 54 club, on the band's 1984 tour with Venom and Exodus.

With the success of Slayer's first album, which had now sold 40,000 copies worldwide,[citation needed] Slayer returned to the studio to record their second full length album. Metal Blade financed a recording budget, which allowed the band to hire producer Ron Fair.

Released in September 1985, Slayer's second full length release Hell Awaits expanded on the darkness of Haunting the Chapel, with hell and Satan as common song subjects. King says the band was "really influenced by Mercyful Fate at the time,"[citation needed] and Hell Awaits was the band's most progressive offering, featuring longer songs, and more complex song structures. The intro to the album is a backwards recording of a demonic-sounding voice repeating "Join us," ending with "Welcome back" before the track begins. The album was an instant hit, with fans choosing Slayer for best band, best live band, Hell Awaits as 1985's best album, and Dave Lombardo as best drummer in the British magazine Metal Forces' 1985 Readers Poll.[12]

Cover art for Reign in blood

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.[13]

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. Critics gave mixed reviews, The album was praised as evidence of Slayer's desire to grow musically.[14][15] The new sound disappointed a minority 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. After the albums release Slayer embarked on their biggest tour yet dubbed "World sacrifice" which included tour dates around the world.

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.[16]

1990s

File:Slayer eagle.jpg
Slayers eagle logo bearing similar resemblance to the Eagle atop swastika

Seasons in the Abyss was released in 1990. A video clip for the title track, Seasons in the Abyss had the band playing in the Middle East, shortly before the start of the Gulf War. The album reached #40 in the Billboard charts and #55 in the United Kingdom.[17] A double live album, Decade of Aggression, was released in 1991.

Lombardo was fired from the band in 1992 due to his desire to bring his wife on the road with the band.[18] Lombardo formed his own band Grip Inc, with Voodoo Cult guitarist Waldemar Sorychta.[17] King recruited former Forbidden drummer Paul Bostaph to fill his place. Slayer made an appearance at the 1992 Monsters of Rock festival at Castle Donington aside Iron Maiden.

Slayer recorded a cover song, with rapper Ice-T for the soundtrack to the movie Judgement Night. Released on September 14, 1993 entitled "Disorder". The track was 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 where he murdered, raped and tortured thirteen victims. The song was written by Araya who has an interest in serial killers.[19] The song "SS-3" was about Reinhard Heydrich an architect for the Holocaust. Other themes included murder, 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.[20] King and Flynn often lash out at each other in interviews, since King labeled Machine Head as sellouts, stating they were responsible for rap metal.[21]

In 1996, Slayer released Undisputed Attitude, a cover album of punk songs. The band covered songs by Minor Threat, T.S.O.L., D.R.I., D.I., Dr. Know, Verbal Abuse and 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", the slowest song Slayer produced. Bostaph left shortly after the albums release to work on his own project The Truth about Seafood. He was replaced by Jon Dette of Testament. Dette was fired due to a fallout with band members, with Bostaph returning shortly after.[22]

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. Elyse was drugged, strangled, stabbed, trampled on and raped as a sacrifice to the devil by three fans of the band.[23] 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".[24]

Diabolus in Musica (Latin for "The Devil in Music")[25] was released in 1998 and marked, an altered logo and the tuning down of guitars. 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.

2000s-Present

The original cover of God Hates Us All

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.[26] 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.[27]

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 .[28] 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. King had plans for a G3-Style Tour With Dimebag And Zakk Wylde during 2004. The idea was scrapped when Dimebag was murdered while performing live for Damageplan.[29]

During 2002 to 2004 the band performed over 250 dates featuring in major music festivals including H82k2, Summer tour, Ozzfest 2004, Download festival and a major European tour with Slipknot. Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich was rushed to hospital with a mysterious illness before the download festival in Switzerland.[30] Lombardo and Joey Jordison from Slipknot helped fill-in, so fans would not be disappointed. Lombardo performed the songs Battery and The Four Horsemen.[30]

Template:Sample box start variation 2 Template:Multi-listen start Template:Multi-listen item Template:Multi-listen end Template:Sample box end

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.Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page). The pressing of 5,000 CDs sold out within hours of release. Despite only having 5,000, debuted in the Finnish charts at #2.[31] Cult was released on the bands website on June 6, 2006 at 6:06am.[32]

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.[33] This is the band's highest chart position in the United States. Christ Illusion improved on their previous highest charting album Divine Intervention, which debuted at #8 in 1994.[34] The following week, Christ Illusion dropped to #44 on the charts.[35] During the week of the CD's release, the full album could be streamed on the bands MySpace page.[36] The artwork for the album was designed by Larry Carroll who also designed the artwork for Reign in Blood, South of Heaven and Seasons of the Abyss.

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 a terrorist. 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.[37] The tour was originally set to launch on June 6 but was postponed to June 10 as Araya underwent gall bladder surgery.[38]

The video for the album's second single, "Eyes of the Insane", was released on October, 2006.[39] November 8, 2006 the band visited 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.[40]

Controversy

File:23 258.jpg
The lyrics of "Angel of Death" were inspired by the acts of Josef Mengele during World War II

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".[41]

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. This reportedly incensed Minor Threat frontman Ian MacKaye, who stated "that is so offensive to me".[42] Slayer fans are sometimes referred to as the Slaytanic Wehrmacht,[43] 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?", 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".[44]

Slayer are often labelled Satanists 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.[45] Tom Araya has faced down the charges of Satanism as far back as 1989 in interviews for the BBC2 documentary "Thrashed to death"[BBC TV 1989] he states that "he was and is a Catholic but found belief in himself".[46]

Seventeen bus benches promoting the album Christ Illusion in Fullerton, California, were deemed offensive by city officials. They did not approve of the obscenity from the vehicles, also saying the bands name pertains to murder.[47]

The controversial cover of "Christ Illusion"

The song "Jihad" off the album Christ Illusion sparked controversy amongst families of the 9/11 victims.[48] The song deals with the attack from the perspective of a religious terrorist.

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.[49] On October 11, 2006 EMI announced that stocks had been destroyed.[49] EMI noted that it had no plans to re-release the record in India any time soon.[49]

Discography

Studio albums

EPs

Members

Current members

Former members

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

Timeline

References

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  4. ^ Lombardo, Dave. "Drummerworld: Dave Lombardo", at Drummer World.com; last accessed December 4, 2006.
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  7. ^ German, Eric. "INTERVIEW WITH BRIAN SLAGEL". Metalupdate.com. Retrieved 2006-12-04.
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  23. ^ "The Elyse Marie Pahler Foundation, In Memory of Our Loving Daughter". elysemarie.org. Retrieved 2006-12-10.
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