Slayer began touring in support of Reign in Blood in late 1986 with Overkill . The band was added as the opening act on W.A.S.P. ‘s US tour, but just one month into it, drummer Lombardo left the band: “I wasn’t making any money. I figured if we were gonna…
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Show No Mercy had sold over 40,000 copies, which led to the band returning 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 April 1985, Slayer’s second full-length album, Hell Awaits ,…
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In March 1985, Slayer began a national tour with Venom and Exodus , resulting in their first live home video dubbed Combat Tour: The Ultimate Revenge . The video featured live footage filmed at the Studio 54 club. The band then made its live European debut at the Heavy Sound…
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Later that year, Slayer began their first national club tour, traveling in Araya’s Camaro towing a U-Haul trailer. The band recorded the live album Live Undead in November 1984 while in New York City .
In June 1984, Slayer released a three-track EP called Haunting the Chapel . The EP featured a darker, more thrash-oriented style than Show No Mercy , and laid the groundwork for the future direction of the band. The opening track, “Chemical Warfare”, has become a live staple, played at nearly…
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In February 1984, King briefly joined Dave Mustaine ‘s new band Megadeth . Hanneman was worried about King’s decision, stating in an interview, “I guess we’re gonna get a new guitar player.” While Mustaine wanted King to stay on a permanent basis, King left after five shows, stating Mustaine’s band…
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Without any recording budget, the band had to self-finance its debut album. Combining the savings of Araya, who was employed as a respiratory therapist , and money borrowed from King’s father, the band entered the studio in November 1983. The album was rushed into release, stocking shelves three weeks after…
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In 1983, Slayer was invited to open for the band Bitch at the Woodstock Club in Anaheim, California to perform eight songs, six of which were covers. The band was spotted by Brian Slagel , a former music journalist who had recently founded Metal Blade Records . Impressed with Slayer,…
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Slayer was formed in 1981 by Jeff Hanneman , Dave Lombardo , Tom Araya and Kerry King in Huntington Park, California. The group started out playing covers of songs by bands such as Iron Maiden , Black Sabbath , Judas Priest and Venom at parties and clubs in Southern California…
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