Jump to content

Slayer

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Djanvk (talk | contribs) at 07:11, 25 December 2006 (→‎Early days). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Slayer

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

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 has been labeled "the heaviest album of all time". Slayer's graphic album art and lyrics have generated strong criticism amongst religious groups and the general public, with topics such as serial killers, satanism, religion, warfare and the Holocaust resulting in album bans, delays, lawsuits and protests.

Slayer are known for their distinctive musical style, involving fast tremolo picking, guitar solos, double bass drums and screaming vocals. The band have received multiple Grammy nominations, sold millions of albums, and headlined major music festivals across the world. Slayer is often credited as one of the "Big Four" thrash metal bands, along with Megadeth, Metallica, and Anthrax.

History

Early days

In 1982, Kerry King met Jeff Hanneman and formed Slayer. The two recruited bassist and vocalist Tom Araya, who had played with King in a previous band, and drummer Dave Lombardo, who met King while delivering pizzas.[1] 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.[2]

Slayer recorded their first demo, a rehearsal recording featuring the songs "Fight Till Death",(Audio file " Fight Till Death 83 demo clip.ogg" not found) "Black Magic" and "The Antichrist", in 1982.[3] 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".[2]

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",(Audio file " Aggressive Perfector clip.ogg" not found) [3] for his upcoming Metal Massacre III compilation, released in July 1983. The song created underground buzz, and the band signed a recording contract with Metal Blade.

Show No Mercy

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 and money borrowed from King's father, the band entered the studio in November 1983.[3] The album was rushed into release, hitting shelves three weeks after tracks were completed.[3]

Slayer's Show No Mercy, 1983

Show No Mercy, released in December 1983 by Metal Blade Records, succeeded in gaining the band underground popularity. Slayer began their first national club tour in 1984 to promote the album, traveling in Araya's Camaro towing a U-Haul trailer. The tour was successful in spreading the name of the band, with sales of Show no Mercy reaching over 20,000 in the US.[4]

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.[5] 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, King temporarily left Slayer to join Dave Mustaine's new band Megadeth.[6] Hanneman was worried at the time about King's decision, stating in an interview "I guess we’re gonna get a new guitar player".[7] While Mustaine wanted King to stay on a permanent basis, King rejoined Slayer after five shows, stating that Megadeth was "taking too much of my time".[7] The split caused a rift between King and Mustaine, which evolved into a long running feud between the two bands.[8]

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 the label indicates the EP was "live in concert", it was recorded in a New York recording studio, with fans brought in to provide crowd noise.[3] Early in 1985 Slayer 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.

Hell Awaits

With Show No Mercy selling over 40,000 copies worldwide,[4] Slayer returned to the studio to record their second full length album. Metal Blade financed a recording budget, allowing the band to hire producer Ron Fair.[7] Template:Sound sample box align right

Template:Sample box end 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 influenced by Mercyful Fate at the time, influencing their lyrics.[9] Hell Awaits was the band's most progressive offering, featuring longer 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.[10]

Reign in Blood

Following the international success of Hell Awaits, Slayer signed with Rick Rubin's Def Jam Records, a then largely rap-based label. With a seasoned producer and major label recording budget, the band underwent a sonic makeover resulting in shorter, faster songs with clearer production. Gone were the complex arrangements and long songs featured on Hell Awaits, ditched in favor of stripped down, hardcore influenced song structures.

Reign in blood, 1986

Clocking in at 28 minutes, Slayer's breakthrough album Reign in Blood was released in October 1986 to critical acclaim. Kerrang! Magazine labeled Reign in Blood a "thrash metal masterpiece" and the "heaviest album of all time".[11][12] Although the album received virtually no radio airplay, Reign in Blood (sample) was Slayer's first release to chart on the Billboard Top 200, debuting at #94, and was the band's first album certified gold in the US.[13] Def Jam's distributor, Columbia Records, refused to release the album due to it's controversial lyrical themes and graphic cover art.[10] The lead track, "Angel Of Death",(sample) detailed Nazi concentration camps and human experiments conducted by Josef Mengele. The album was eventually distributed by Geffen Records, but due to the controversy, Reign in Blood did not appear on the label's release schedule.[10]

In October 1986, Slayer embarked on the Reign in Pain world tour, first with Overkill in the US, and later with Malice in Europe.[10] The band were then added as the opening band on WASP's US tour, but just one month in, drummer Dave Lombardo left the band. Lombardo later said: "I wasn't making any money. I figured if we were gonna be doing this professionally, on a major label, I wanted my rent and utilities paid." To continue with the tour, Slayer enlisted Tony Scaglione of Whiplash. Following the tour in 1987, producer Rick Rubin convinced Lombardo to return. At the insistence of Rubin, Slayer recorded a cover version of Iron Butterfly's "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" for the film Less Than Zero.[14] Although the band were not happy with the final product, the song was the first to garner radio airplay for the band.[7]

South of Heaven

In 1987, Slayer returned to the studio to record their fourth studio album. To contrast the speed of Reign in Blood, the band consciously decided to slow down new material, incorporating melodic singing, rather than screaming.[7]

As a result, 1988's South of Heaven received criticism from longtime fans, although the album was Slayer's most commercially successful release at the time. South of Heaven debuted at #57 on the Billboard Top 200 chart, and was the band's second album to be certified gold in the US.[13][15] Press response to the album was mixed, with All Music Guide citing the album as "disturbing and powerful",[16] and Rolling Stone calling the album "genuinely offensive satanic drivel".[17] South of Heaven also featured a cover version of Judas Priest's "Dissident Aggressor",(sample) the band's first cover song released on a studio album. In 1988 Slayer embarked on the World Sacrifice Tour with openers Nuclear Assault, and in the summer of 1988 the band were added as special guests on Judas Priest's Ram it Down tour.[10] Following nearly six years of constant touring, the band took time off in 1988.

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

Seasons in the Abyss

Slayer returned to the studio with co-producer Andy Wallace in 1989 to record their fifth studio album. Following the minor backlash created by South of Heaven, Slayer returned to the "pounding speed of Reign in Blood", while retaining their new found melodic sense.[18] Seasons in the Abyss, released in October 1990, was the first Slayer album to be released under Rick Rubin's new Def American label. The album debuted at #40 on the US Billboard charts, and was the band's third consecutive gold record in the US.[19] The album's title track, "Seasons in the Abyss",(Audio file " Seasons_in_the_Abyss_clip.ogg" not found) spawned Slayer's first music video, shot in front of the Giza pyramids in Egypt.

Slayer returned as a live act in September 1990 to co-headline the European Clash of the Titans tour with Megadeth, Suicidal Tendencies, and Testament. With the popularity of American thrash near its peak, the tour was extended to the US begining in May 1991, with Megadeth, Anthrax and opening band Alice in Chains. The band recorded a double live album, Decade of Aggression, which debuted at #55 on the Billboard top 200 in 1991.

In May 1992 drummer Dave Lombardo was fired from Slayer, due to conflicts with other members, and his desire to bring his wife on tour.[20] Lombardo formed his own band Grip Inc, with Voodoo Cult guitarist Waldemar Sorychta,[19] and Slayer recruited former Forbidden drummer Paul Bostaph to fill his place. Slayer made their first appearance with Bostaph at the 1992 Monsters of Rock festival at Castle Donington, and recorded a medley of three Exploited songs, "War", "UK '82", and "Disorder", with rapper Ice-T for the Judgement Night movie soundtrack in 1993.

Divine Intervention

1994 saw the release of Divine Intervention. The new record, Slayer's first with new drummer Paul Bostaph. Featuring a song boasting about Jeffrey Dahmer, "213"(Audio file " Slayer_213_clip.ogg" not found) his apartment number where he murdered, raped and tortured thirteen victims. The song was written by Araya, who is interested in the twisted minds of serial killers.[21] The song "SS-3"(sample) was about Reinhard Heydrich, an architect of 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 King and Machine Head front man Robb Flynn have since badly deteriorated.[22] 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.[23]

Undisputed Attitude

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. The tracks "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 is 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 after a year, due to a fallout with band members, with Bostaph returning shortly after.[24]

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.[25] 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 was filed, an amended complaint for damages against Slayer, their label and other industry and label entities. The lawsuit was dismissed, Judge E. Jeffrey Burke stating "I do not consider Slayer's music obscene, indecent or harmful to minors".[26]

Diabolus in Musica

Diabolus in Musica (Latin for "The Devil in Music")[27] was released in 1998. The album sold over 46,000 copies in it's first week, debuting at #31 on the Billboard charts.[28] The album was the bands first with drop D tuning, as featured on the lead track, "Bitter Piece".(sample) making use of the musical range referred to in the Middle Ages as The Devil's Scale. A world tour followed, with Slayer making an appearance at the United Kingdom, Ozzfest 1998.

Slayer teamed up with digital hardcore group Atari Teenage Riot in 1997 for the soundtrack to the film Spawn. The track was titled "No Remorse (I Wanna Die)". Slayer also payed tribute to Black Sabbath by recording a cover of "Hand Of Doom" for the second of two tribute albums, entitled Nativity in Black II.

God Hates Us All

The original cover of God Hates Us All, 2001

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.[29] Paul left the band shortly after the release of the album due to a chronic elbow injury, stating it would hinder his ability to play.[30] He was replaced by original drummer Dave Lombardo.[30]

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 canceled or postponed due to flight restrictions. The bands decided to withdraw or postpone dates.[31] They were replaced by Cradle of Filth and other bands based on the place; among them, Amorphis, In Flames, Moonspell, Children of Bodom and Necrodeath.

Slayer toured playing Reign in Blood entirety throughout the fall of 2003, 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 guitarists Dimebag And Zakk Wylde during 2004. The idea was scrapped when Dimebag was murdered, while performing live for Damageplan.[32] Template:Sample box start variation 2 Template:Multi-listen start Template:Multi-listen item Template:Multi-listen end Template:Sample box end

During 2002 to 2004 the band performed over 250 dates headlining major music festivals including H82k2, Summer tour, Ozzfest 2004, Download festival and a major European tour with Slipknot. Before the download festival in Switzerland, Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich was rushed to hospital with a mysterious illness.[33] Lombardo and Joey Jordison from Slipknot helped fill-in, so fans would not miss out. Lombardo performed the songs Battery and The Four Horsemen.[33] During February of 2004, Guitar World released a list of the world's "100 greatest metal guitarists of all time" ranking Hanneman and King at #10.[34]

Christ Illusion

The censored cover of Christ Illusion

The anticipated album Christ Illusion was to be released on June 6, 2006. Due to recording difficulties, the date was pushed back. The album is the first with original drummer Dave Lombardo since 1990s Seasons in the Abyss.[20]

Instead of the full album, Slayer released Eternal Pyre on June 6, 2006. A limited-edition EP that featured the song "Cult",(sample) a live performance of War Ensemble in Germany, video footage of the band recording "Cult" and a five minute video of a Slayer fan, carving the bands name onto his forearm. 5000 copies were exclusively sold through Hot Topic chainstores selling out within hours of release,[35] debuting in the Finnish charts at #2.[36] Cult was also released on the bands website on June 6, 2006 at 6:06am.[37]

Christ Illusion was released on August 8, 2006 and immediately debuted at #5 on the Billboard Top 200 chart, selling over 62,000 copies in its first week.[38] Christ Illusion improved on their previous highest charting album Divine Intervention, which debuted at #8.[13] The following week, Christ Illusion dropped to #44 on the charts.[39] During the week of the CD's release, the full album could be streamed on the bands MySpace page.[40] The artwork for the album was designed by Larry Carroll who also designed the coverart for Reign in Blood, South of Heaven and Seasons of the Abyss. On August 25, 2006 three weeks after the albums release, Slayer were inducted into the Kerrang! Hall of Fame.[11]

Slayer performing at The Unholy Alliance Tour

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 were supporting Slayer.[41] The tour was originally set to launch on June 6 but was postponed to June 10, as Araya underwent gall bladder surgery.[42] Most of the bands who participated in the tour (along with In Flames from the Euopean leg and bloodsimple) reunited to perform at Japan's 2006 Loud Park Festival on October 15.[43]

The video for the album's second single, "Eyes of the Insane",(sample) was released on October 30, 2006.[44] The track earned the band their second Grammy nomination for "Best Metal Performance".[45] 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.[46]

Controversy

File:JosefMengele1.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 due to the eagle logo bearing resemblance to the Eagle atop swastika, Schutzstaffel stickers on guitars and the lyrics of "Angel of Death".[47] The lyrics were inspired by the acts of Josef Mengele,[48] 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".[49]

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".[50] Slayer fans are referred to as the Slaytanic Wehrmacht,[51] 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".[52]

Slayer are often labeled 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.[53] 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".[54]

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, saying the bands name pertains to murder.[55]

The controversial cover of "Christ Illusion"

The song "Jihad" off the album Christ Illusion sparked controversy amongst families of the 9/11 victims.[56] 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.[57] On October 11, 2006 EMI announced that stocks had been destroyed.[57] EMI noted that it had no plans to re-release the record in India any time soon.[57]

Discography

Studio albums

EPs

Members

Current members

Former members

Timeline

References

  1. ^ Lombardo, Dave. "Drummerworld: Dave Lombardo", at Drummer World.com; last accessed December 4, 2006.
  2. ^ a b Huey, Steve. "All Music Guide Biography of Slayer". Allmusicguide.com. Retrieved 2006-12-10.
  3. ^ a b c d e Sharpe-Young, Garry. "Rockdetector Biography - Years 81 to 84". Rockdetector.com. Retrieved 2006-12-05.
  4. ^ a b German, Eric. "INTERVIEW WITH BRIAN SLAGEL". Metalupdate.com. Retrieved 2006-12-04.
  5. ^ Rivadavia, Ed. "Slayer : Haunting the Chapel". All Music Guide. Retrieved 2006-12-01.
  6. ^ "Megadeth History". Megadeth.com. Retrieved 2006-12-10.
  7. ^ a b c d e "An exclusive oral history of Slayer". Decibel Magazine. 2006-8. Retrieved 2006-12-03. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  8. ^ ""Slayer's Kerry King Says Dave Mustaine Is 'A Cocksucker'" - Feb. 12, 2005". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved October 21. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  9. ^ "Slayer: Showing No Mercy". Askmen.com. Retrieved 2006-12-11.
  10. ^ a b c d e Sharpe-Young, Garry. "Rockdetector Biography - Years 85 to 86". Rockdetector.com. Retrieved 2006-12-08.
  11. ^ a b "Lostprophets scoop rock honours". BBC News. 2006-8-25. Retrieved 2006-12-10. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  12. ^ Huey, Steve. "Reign in Blood". All Music Guide. Retrieved 2006-12-01.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Slayer's album chart history". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2006-12-01. Cite error: The named reference "Billboard" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  14. ^ "Less Than Zero CD". Cduniverse.com. Retrieved 2006-11-29.
  15. ^ RIAA.com "Recording Industry Association of America Gold & Platinum Searchable Database", at RIAA.com; last accessed December 13, 2006.
  16. ^ Henderson, Alex. "South of Heaven". Allmusicguide.com. Retrieved 2006-12-13.
  17. ^ Neely, Kim (2002). "Slayer - Album Reviews". Rolling stone. Retrieved 2006-11-29.
  18. ^ Huey, Steve. Season in the Abyss AMG album review, at AllMusic.com, last accessed December 13, 2006.
  19. ^ a b Sharpe-Young, Garry. "Slayer Biography 1990-1995". Rockdetector.com. Retrieved 2006-12-10.
  20. ^ a b Patrizio, Andy (2006-8-14). "Meet the new Slayer, same as the old Slayer". IGN. Retrieved 2006-12-01. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  21. ^ "Live Chat with Tom Araya of Slayer". Espguitars.com. Retrieved 2006-12-10.
  22. ^ Robert Flynn (2004-4-29). "Machine head diary, 2004". Retrieved 2006-11-28. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  23. ^ "MACHINE HEAD's FLYNN: 'I'm Disappointed In SLAYER's KERRY KING". Blabbermouth.net. 2006-3-09. Retrieved 2006-12-10. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  24. ^ Hellqvist , Janek (1997-1-27). "Jon Dette has left Slayer and is being replaced by Paul Bostaph!". Slaytanic.com. Retrieved 2006-12-10. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  25. ^ "The Elyse Marie Pahler Foundation, In Memory of Our Loving Daughter". elysemarie.org. Retrieved 2006-12-10.
  26. ^ "Slayer: Out Of The Dock". Metal Hammer. 2001-10-31. Retrieved 2006-10-15.
  27. ^ Cherubim , David (2004). "Diabolus in Musica, The Tritone of Musick". Thelemicmusick.net. Retrieved 2006-11-29.
  28. ^ Sharpe-Young, Garry (2006-11-20). "Rockdetector Biography - Years 1996 to 2006". Rockdetector.com. Retrieved 2006-12-12.
  29. ^ "44th Grammy Awards - 2002". Rockonthenet. 2002-27-2. Retrieved 2006-11-29. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  30. ^ a b "Slayer: Lombardo's back!". Kerrang!. 2002-1-03. Retrieved 2006-12-02. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  31. ^ "Tattoo The Planet Officially Postponed". Kerrang!. 2001-10-13. Retrieved 2006-11-29.
  32. ^ McIver, Joel (2006-6-22). "SLAYER's KERRY KING: G3-Style Tour With DIMEBAG And ZAKK WYLDE Would 'Probably Have Happened'". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 2006-12-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  33. ^ a b "Metallica's Lars Ulrich Hospitalized In Switzerland, Misses Show". Yahoo Music. 2004-6-07. Retrieved 2006-12-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  34. ^ Olsen, Eric (2004-2-01). "Guitar World's '100 greatest metal guitarists of all time'". Guitar World. Retrieved 2006-12-12. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  35. ^ "Eternal Pyre". Blabbermouth.net. 2006-6-17. Retrieved 2006-12-01. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  36. ^ "Slayer's 'Eternal Pyre' Enters Finnish Charts at #2". Metalunderground.com. 2006-7-6. Retrieved 2006-12-01. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  37. ^ "Slayer's Entire Song 'Cult' Available for Streaming Online". Metalunderground.com. 2006-6-6. Retrieved 2006-12-01. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  38. ^ "Slayer's "Christ Illusion" Is Band's Highest-Ever Billboard Chart Debut Entering at #5". Yahoo. 2006-8-16. Retrieved 2006-11-29. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  39. ^ "Metal, Rock and Alternative Music Doing Well In Billboard". Metalunderground.com. 2006-8-23. Retrieved 2006-11-25. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  40. ^ Bowar, Chad (2006-8-4). "Slayer CD Now Streaming Online". About.com. Retrieved 2006-12-01. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  41. ^ Zahlaway, Jon (2006-3-31). "Slayer's 'Unholy Alliance' tour grows". livedaily. Retrieved 2006-11-29. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  42. ^ "SLAYER Frontman Undergoes Gallbladder Surgery, Band Reschedule Early 'Unholy Alliance' Dates". Blabbermouth.net. 2006-5-10. Retrieved 2006-12-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  43. ^ "Loud Park 2006 Unholy Alliance Stage". Loudpark.com. 2006-09-04. Retrieved 2006-12-24.
  44. ^ "Slayer release video for "Eyes Of the Insane"". Punknews.org. 2006-10-30. Retrieved 2006-12-02.
  45. ^ "SLAYER, LAMB OF GOD, STONE SOUR Among GRAMMY Nominees". Blabbermouth.net. 2006-12-07. Retrieved 2006-12-10.
  46. ^ "SLAYER To Visit U.S. Troops; U.S". Blabbermouth.net. 2006-10-31. Retrieved 2006-11-29.
  47. ^ Hess, Mike (2003-7-23). "Kerry King: Maniac. Guitar Legend. Botanist?". Nighttimes.com. Retrieved 2006-12-10. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  48. ^ Steffens, Charlie (2006-5-30). "Interview with Slayer Guitarist Jeff Hanneman". Knac.com. Retrieved 2006-12-10. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  49. ^ "moreorless : heroes & killers of the 20th century - Josef Mengele". Moreorless.com. 2001-4-30. Retrieved 2006-12-01. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  50. ^ 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.
  51. ^ Hellqvist, Janek. "The Official Slayer Fan Club". Slaytanic.com. Retrieved 2006-11-30.
  52. ^ La Briola , John (2004-6). "Westword interview with Tom Araya". Retrieved 2006-12-07. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  53. ^ Cummins , Johnson. "Slayers Tom Araya on Satanism, serial killers and his lovable kids". MontrealMirror.com. Retrieved 2006-12-02.
  54. ^ "GET THRASHED". Getthrashed.com. Retrieved 2006-12-08.
  55. ^ "SLAYER: Photo Of 'Offensive' Bus Bench Posted Online". Blabbermouth.net. 2006-8-02. Retrieved 2006-12-05. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  56. ^ "SLAYER SPARK 9/11 CONTROVERSY". Contactmusic.com. 2006-5-26. Retrieved 2006-11-29. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  57. ^ a b c "India bans 'offensive' rock album". BBC News. 2006-10-11. Retrieved 2006-10-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  58. ^ "Slayer's 1985-1986 discography". Rockdetector.com. Retrieved 2006-12-01.
  59. ^ "Slayer's 1987-1989 discography". Rockdetector.com. Retrieved 2006-12-01.
  60. ^ a b "Slayer's 1990-1995 discography". Rockdetector.com. Retrieved 2006-12-01.
  61. ^ a b c d "Slayer's 1996-2006 discography". Rockdetector.com. Retrieved 2006-12-01.