The controversial and triumphant journey of Slayer, a band often perceived as Nazi sympathizers, unraveled.

Slayer, the iconic American thrash metal band, has left an indelible mark on the metal music scene. Over four decades, they have pushed boundaries, reshaped genres, and inspired countless bands with their aggressive sound and uncompromising style.

The Release of Reign in Blood (1986)

One of Slayer's most significant milestones is the release of their third studio album, Reign in Blood. This album, released in 1986, became a blueprint for the classic Slayer sound characterized by fast tempos, aggressive riffing, and intense energy. Despite not reaching mainstream commercial success comparable to Metallica’s Master of Puppets, it still peaked at No. 94 on the US Billboard charts, an impressive feat for such an extreme album.

Reign in Blood marked the maturation of Slayer's style and set a precedent for extreme metal music that influenced countless bands. The drastic increase in speed and aggression also pushed thrash metal to new levels of intensity, inspiring more chaotic live performances and contributing significantly to the genre’s evolution.

Live Shows and Dave Lombardo's Impact

Slayer's live shows during the Reign in Blood tour became notorious for their frenzied and chaotic atmosphere, which reflected and further fueled the energy of the thrash metal community. The tour helped cement Slayer’s reputation for brutal and intense performances, which impacted the live metal music culture.

Drummer Dave Lombardo, particularly on Reign in Blood, played a critical role in defining Slayer's fast-paced and blastbeat-heavy drumming style, which was a major part of the band’s distinctive sound that set them apart in the metal scene.

Influence Across Decades

Slayer's career spanned over four decades, influencing the development of extreme metal subgenres such as death metal and black metal with their uncompromising sound, lyrical themes, and aesthetic. Their consistent output over the years, from raw early thrash metal to more polished yet still extreme productions, impacted how aggressive metal evolved.

Controversy and Legacy

The album's controversial lyrics, particularly in the song Angel of Death, attracted scrutiny and accusations of glorifying their subject matter. Despite this, Slayer's enduring impact can be seen in the enthusiasm of their fans, who have made 'Slayer!' a rallying cry for metalheads worldwide. The band's legacy is such that 'Slayer' is sometimes pronounced 'SLAYYYYYAAAARGHH!'

The band's first show took place at South Gate Park Auditorium, Los Angeles, on Halloween 1981. Initially based in Orange County, California, to distance themselves from the hair metal scene, Slayer struggled to fit in with the local Los Angeles music scene dominated by bands like Ratt and Mötley Crüe. However, they persisted, and their influence grew.

Slayer's first track to feature on record was Aggressive Perfector, which appeared on Metal Blade's Metal Massacre III in 1983. Their debut full-length album, Show No Mercy, was recorded on a graveyard shift to get cheaper studio rates.

In 1988, Slayer released their follow-up album to Reign in Blood, South Of Heaven. This album broke the Top 40 in the US album charts and the Top 20 in the UK, making it their biggest-selling album. The end of the decade saw them release 1998's divisive Diabolus In Musica, which saw Kerry step back from songwriting and the band dip into groove and nu metal with mixed results.

During a tour supporting W.A.S.P., Dave Lombardo left the band, citing insufficient earnings. Tony Scaglione from New York thrashers Whiplash filled in for him during his absence. South Of Heaven was backed by money from Def American, the label Rick Rubin founded after leaving Def Jam.

There is an annual International Day Of Slayer every June 6. Slayer's influence extends beyond metal music, with 'Slayer' becoming a symbol of rebellion and defiance. Metallica was also based in Orange County before they became a Bay Area band.

In summary, Slayer’s release of Reign in Blood stands as their most significant milestone, marking a turning point in thrash and extreme metal history by pushing speed, aggression, and intensity, which reshaped metal music and live performance culture. The band's consistent innovation and influence over the following decades further entrenched their legacy as one of the most impactful metal acts in history.

[1]: Source: Terrorizer Magazine, "Slayer: The Ultimate Evil," 2016. [4]: Source: Larkin, Colin (ed.), The Encyclopedia of Popular Music, 4th ed., Oxford University Press, 2011.