{"title":"Slayer","description":"\u003ch2\u003eAbout Slayer\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSlayer formed in Huntington Park, California in 1981 around Tom Araya (born June 6, 1961, Viña del Mar, Chile), Kerry King (born June 3, 1964, Los Angeles), Jeff Hanneman (born January 31, 1964, Oakland; died May 2, 2013), and Dave Lombardo (born February 16, 1965, Havana, Cuba). They are widely cited as one of the 'Big Four' of thrash metal alongside Metallica, Megadeth, and Anthrax. Their 1986 album Reign in Blood - at twenty-nine minutes the shortest of their major works, with the opening track Angel of Death and the closing track Raining Blood - is widely cited as one of the most important thrash metal albums in popular music history and established the extreme thrash metal template. Their lyrical content addressing war, death, satanic imagery, and broader extreme themes was controversial (Angel of Death about Josef Mengele the Nazi physician at Auschwitz). Dave Lombardo had multiple departures and returns to the band across its history. Jeff Hanneman contracted necrotizing fasciitis in 2011 (from a spider bite), incapacitating him; he died of liver failure (from alcoholism) on May 2, 2013 at age 49. Gary Holt (of Exodus) replaced Hanneman as touring guitarist. The band dissolved in 2019 after a final farewell tour, though Araya and King have reunited the band for selected festival appearances since 2024. Their foundational influence on thrash metal, extreme metal, and broader contemporary heavy music is widely cited.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSound and style\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSlayer's sound is foundational to thrash metal as a recognized genre - combining thrash metal, speed metal, extreme metal, death metal influences, and heavy metal with Araya's distinctive vocal delivery (use of screamed and growled phrasing), the foundational Hanneman\/King dual guitar approach, Lombardo's virtuosic drum work, and lyrical content addressing war, death, religion, serial killers, and broader extreme themes. Their foundational influence on thrash metal is widely documented.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eDiscography highlights\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShow No Mercy (1983, Metal Blade)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHell Awaits (1985, Metal Blade)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReign in Blood (1986, Def Jam\/Geffen) - widely-cited thrash landmark\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSouth of Heaven (1988, Def Jam\/Geffen)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSeasons in the Abyss (1990, Def American)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDivine Intervention (1994, American)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDiabolus in Musica (1998, American)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGod Hates Us All (2001, American) - released September 11 2001\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChrist Illusion (2006, American)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWorld Painted Blood (2009, American)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRepentless (2015, Nuclear Blast) - final studio\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFor collectors\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOriginal Metal Blade Records, Def Jam, American Recordings, and Nuclear Blast pressings of the Slayer catalog are foundational items in thrash metal collecting, with collector premiums on rare early pressings.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhere to start\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eListeners new to Slayer typically start with Reign in Blood (1986) or Seasons in the Abyss (1990). \u003cspan class=\"related-collections\"\u003eExplore more: \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/metal-vinyl-records\"\u003eMetal\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"slayer-south-of-heaven-cd","title":"South of Heaven CD","description":"\u003cp\u003eFollowing the relentless speed of Reign In Blood, this album famously slowed down the band's tempo to deliver a heavier, more atmospheric, and deeply sinister sonic experience. A must-have for both die-hard metalheads and casual collectors alike.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48540742254775,"sku":"210000061881","price":14.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/soh.jpg?v=1781154086"},{"product_id":"slayer-south-of-heaven-vinyl","title":"South of Heaven LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eSlayers 1988 album, SOUTH OF HEAVEN, is now available on vinyl with this re-release.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48540865462455,"sku":"210000034043","price":27.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/slayer.jpg?v=1781154540"},{"product_id":"slayer-god-hates-us-all-vinyl","title":"God Hates Us All LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eTen studio albums of original material, thousands of live shows and over three decades into a career that's made them one of the biggest and most important metal bands in the world.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48540917334199,"sku":"210000034042","price":29.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/lds67723.jpg?v=1781154712"},{"product_id":"slayer-reign-in-blood-vinyl","title":"Reign in Blood LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eOut of print in the U.S.! For nearly 25 years, Slayer have remained the most important and influential Speed Metal band in history.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48540917366967,"sku":"210000032999","price":29.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/reign-in-blood.jpg?v=1781154710"},{"product_id":"slayer-seasons-in-the-abyss-vinyl","title":"Seasons in the Abyss LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginally released in 1990, SEASONS IN THE ABYSS is now available on vinyl with this re-release.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48540917399735,"sku":"210000038046","price":29.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/slayer_f83fbf0f-0bac-47ca-953d-3089a24065ff.jpg?v=1781154712"},{"product_id":"slayer-repentless-vinyl-silver-red-splatter","title":"Repentless LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eFor nearly four decades, Slayer's onslaught has proven the band to be the supreme thrash-metal band on the planet. The 10th anniversary release will be a limited edition, 180g clear silver red splatter LP.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48540975005879,"sku":"210000103036","price":33.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/slayer-repentless-10thanniv-lp-clearsilverredsplat.webp?v=1781154928"},{"product_id":"slayer-repentless-x6-66-inch-singles-box-set-ltd-red-vinyl","title":"Repentless X6.66 Inch Singles Box Set [ltd. + red vinyl]","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis limited collector's box dissects the band's pummeling 2015 masterpiece \"Repentless\" into six collectible Red 6.66 inches!!!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48541083664567,"sku":"210000062583","price":69.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/slayer_9b5118c6-5f5e-45d7-afa2-9c8da54f7f9d.jpg?v=1781155328"},{"product_id":"slayer-seasons-in-the-abyss-cd-uk-import","title":"Seasons in the Abyss CD","description":"\u003cp\u003eSlayer's \"Seasons in the Abyss\" plunges into a murky abyss, where lyrical anguish clangs against razor-sharp musicianship, a contradiction that gnaws at the listener's sense of comfort. In tracks like \"Dead Skin Mask,\" unsettling narratives collide with relentless riffs, ensnaring audiences in a web of dissonance; beauty and brutality twist together in unexpected ways. Those convinced that thrash metal has hit a wall are in for a rude awakening with this UK import, proving there's still territory to unearth.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48785680335031,"sku":"210000061862","price":15.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/2226030.jpg?v=1783045635"},{"product_id":"slayer-diabolus-en-musica-vinyl","title":"Diabolus en Musica LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eSlayer's \"Diabolus en Musica LP\" is a vinyl reissue of their 1998 album. It delivers heavy metal with tracks like \"Bitter Peace\" and \"In the Name of God.\" This edition stands out for its intense sound.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48785743577271,"sku":"210000079934","price":27.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/2300587.jpg?v=1783045786"},{"product_id":"slayer-christ-illusion-vinyl","title":"Christ Illusion LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eSlayer's \"Christ Illusion LP\" hits hard with aggressive riffs and powerful undertones, presented in sleek black vinyl that underscores its intensity. The LP's weight contributes to its commanding presence, enhancing tracks like \"Eyes of the Insane\" and \"Skeleton Christ.\" Released by American Recordings, this album is a visceral expression of the band's heavy metal prowess.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48785743675575,"sku":"210000077508","price":27.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/2305208.jpg?v=1783045787"},{"product_id":"slayer-show-no-mercy-red-black-vinyl","title":"Show No Mercy LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eSlayer's \"Show No Mercy\" on red and black vinyl crashes in like a freight train loaded with sharpened steel. This debut album melds NWOBHM-inspired riffs with relentless tempos, pushing the band ahead of the pack before thrash metal even took form. Araya's piercing screams slice through the noise, challenging early '80s heavy metal without any fluff. It's not just a record; it's an alarm that still echoes today.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48785768841399,"sku":"210000066491","price":34.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/4011826-3153493.jpg?v=1783045864"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.waxtraxrecords.com\/collections\/slayer.oembed","provider":"Wax Trax Records","version":"1.0","type":"link"}