In the beginning, when there were no blueprints, no set paths, no boundaries or steps to follow, SLAYER assaulted the world with its new hybrid of metal and punk. Heavier, faster and darker than the rest, Slayer set the new standard which all others continue to follow. Slayer - Tom Araya/bass & vocals, Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman/guitars, and Dave Lombardo/drums - is the band that other heavy acts are measured against, defining not only a genre but an attitude.

Since Day One, Slayer has mirrored the turmoil and aberrations of our society. Probably as much, if not more than any other like-genre artist, Slayer’s songs speak to the ongoing social, political and economic disorder that others - like the mainstream media - gloss over or completely ignore. For nearly three decades, Slayer's onslaught of sheer brutality has proven them to be the supreme thrash-metal band on the planet. The two-time Grammy-winning band has also accumulated an abundance of Certified Gold Albums along with "Best..." awards from media outlets all over the world, including Kerrang!, SPIN, Metal Hammer, Revolver, and Esquire. Throughout Slayer's history, the band has never faltered in unleashing its extreme and focused sonic assault, and, unlike many of their contemporaries who "commercialized" their sound, Slayer has remained crushing and brutal, steadfastly refusing to cater to the mainstream.

And they are as focused and true today as ever, as evidenced by the band’s last offering, World Painted Blood. “There are some real standout tracks on this album,” said Araya. "The new music is fast, heavy, and intense, with aggressive melodies. Lyrically, we're dealing with death, murder, chaos, destruction, the Apocalypse, World War Two atrocities, serial killers, and domestic violence. This is a Slayer album.”

Few bands come close to matching the intensity that Slayer brings to its live shows, having been named "Best Live Band" by Revolver, SPIN, and Metal Hammer. Since the release of World Painted Blood, fans have come out to see Slayer, first when they co-headlined (with Marilyn Manson) the Mayhem Festival, with Megadeth and Testament on the Canadian and American Carnage tours, festivals throughout Europe, Australia and Japan, and then sharing the stage with Megadeth and Anthrax for the first time since 1991’s “Clash of the Titans” tour on the 2010 Jagermeister Fall Music Tour.

And then there were the seven history-making Sonisphere Festivals in Europe that joined Slayer with Metallica, Megadeth and Anthrax - The Big Four. Slayer has influenced many of music's most successful bands, from Ministry and Deftones to Slipknot, Sepultura, and Killswitch Engage, and continues to earn new generations of fans while staying true to its ceaselessly devoted followers. Throughout its history, Slayer has played host to many bands’ breakthrough tours, taking out System of a Down, Hatebreed, Chimaira, In Flames, and Clutch, among others. Slayer's legacy is cemented in music forever, and the band remains undaunted in its directive to make punishing, aggressive and exciting music.