Slayer

Photo: Selbymay · CC BY-SA 4.0

Slayer

A relentless barrage of double-time rhythms and rapid-fire riffs creates an atmosphere thick with tension and unyielding momentum.

thrash metal

United States Est. 1981 Disbanded 2019
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The song

“Raining Blood”

An iconic track that showcases their intense style and features a memorable riff, providing an immediate introduction to their music.

See the full guide

About Slayer

Slayer matters because they carved a raw and relentless path through the metal landscape, challenging norms with their unfiltered approach to brutality and darkness.
Their music doesn't just push boundaries; it confronts listeners with themes of violence, horror, and societal decay, influencing countless artists and evolving the thrash metal scene into something more visceral and intense.
Their music doesn't just push boundaries; it confronts listeners with themes of violence, horror, and societal decay, influencing countless artists and evolving the thrash metal scene into something more visceral and intense. The band’s intensity has created a space where aggression becomes a form of catharsis, fueling a community that thrives on the power of heavy music. Their approach melded speed with precision, mastering a sound that is as much about rhythm as it is about ferocity. By employing intricate guitar work alongside thunderous drums, Slayer established a sonic framework that felt both chaotic and meticulously crafted. This balance allows their tracks to maintain an adrenaline-fueled pace while engaging listeners in complex musical dialogues that shift seamlessly between frenzied outbursts and calculated intricacies. Lyrically, Slayer often explores dark themes ranging from mythology to personal strife, presenting them with a raw sincerity that captivates audiences. Their storytelling tends to veer into the graphic and unsettling, employing irony and shock value to provoke thought while immersing the listener in chilling narratives. The tone is consistently aggressive yet introspective, drawing listeners deep into the abyss of their lyrical explorations.

19 studio albums· 36 total releases· 3 decades· United States

Full discography

Slayer's albums in order, from earliest releases to latest.

36 releases • 19 albums • 2 EPS • 1983–2015
Type:

EPs ()

Eternal Pyre album by Slayer

Eternal Pyre

2006

Haunting the Chapel album by Slayer

Haunting the Chapel

1984

Singles ()

Cast the First Stone album by Slayer

Cast the First Stone

2015

When the Stillness Comes album by Slayer

When the Stillness Comes

2015

World Painted Blood album by Slayer

World Painted Blood

2010

Hate Worldwide album by Slayer

Hate Worldwide

2009

Psychopathy Red album by Slayer

Psychopathy Red

2009

Eyes of the Insane album by Slayer

Eyes of the Insane

2006

God Send Death album by Slayer

God Send Death

2001

Stain of Mind album by Slayer

Stain of Mind

1998

I Hate You album by Slayer

I Hate You

1996

Serenity in Murder album by Slayer

Serenity in Murder

1995

Dittohead album by Slayer

Dittohead

1994

Criminally Insane (Remix) album by Slayer

Criminally Insane (Remix)

1987

Angel of Death album by Slayer

Angel of Death

1986

Raining Blood album by Slayer

Raining Blood

1986

Postmortem album by Slayer

Postmortem

1986

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Songs to start with

If you'd rather pick a song than an album.

  1. 1

    "Flesh Storm" — from Christ Illusion (2006)

    establishes the sonic palette early

  2. 2

    "World Painted Blood" — from World Painted Blood (2009)

    establishes the sonic palette early

  3. 3

    "Evil Has No Boundaries" — from Show No Mercy (1983)

    establishes the sonic palette early

  4. 4

    "Disciple" — from God Hates Us All (2001)

    accessible entry with immediate hook

  5. 5

    "Repentless" — from Repentless (2015)

    accessible entry with immediate hook

Continue your journey

If you liked Slayer, start with Megadeth

A guided entry point we think you'll like.