Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King started the Slayer group in Huntington Beach in 1982. The lineup included King and Hanneman (both: guitar), Tom Araya (vocals and bass), and Dave Lombardo (drums). In the middle 80’s the band released a couple of EPs (Live Undead and Haunting the Chapel), which were followed by Slayer’s first full-length album, the 1985’s Hell Awaits.
After recording its debut album Slayer signed the music contract with the Rick Rubin label, which released the group’s second full-length entitled Reign in Blood. The record had a great success; some critics said that it was one of the best metal albums of the 80’s. Some time later Dave Lombardo left the band and was replaced by Tony Scaglione (former Whiplash member).
In 1990 Slayer released its next album named Seasons in the Abyss. The "War Ensemble" single sent the album to the top of American charts. Besides, in the early 90’s the group issued the live double-CD Decade of Aggression. In 1994 Slayer recruited the new member Paul Bostaph (drums) to record the Divine Intervention LP the same year.
At the end of the 90’s Bostaph left Slayer and was replaced by former Testament member Jon Dette. At the same time Slayer issued the full-length Undisputed Attitude, which was followed by the 1998's Diabolus in Musica. In the 2000’s the band released God Hates Us All (2001), four-CD collection Soundtrack to the Apocalypse (2004), and Christ Illusion (2006).
