The band was started by Kerry king, a guitarist. Kerry discovered Jeff Hanniman, an other guitarist, then they teamed up with a really good drummer, Dave Lombardo.Then Jeff talked with Tom Araya, who used to work in a hospital as a respiratory therapist, to join them. So he did.

In 1983, things really started to happen for the band. While performing in a club called "Woodstock",a guy named Brian Slagel went backstage with an offer about a number for upcoming compilation "Metal Massacre III". So they agreed to make a song only if Brian would help them record a record. So they did "Aggressive Perfector" for the compilation lp. Brian then helped Slayer producing their own record: "Show No Mercy" in 1983. And on that same year they had an EP out. It was called: "Haunting the Chapel".

In 1985, Slayer recorded the album "Hell Awaits". That album was also produced by Brian Slagel and also came out on Metal Blade Records. Because of that, they were contacted by producer Rick Ruban. When Slayer joined him, it his first metal band.

In 1986, the Ultimate thrsh speed album came out. It's: "Reign in blood". But because of the song "Angel Of death"(that talks about Joseph Mengel, the infamous Auschwitz doctor, from the Nazi Nermany time), Slayer were accused of being nazists (which they're not). "Reign In Blood" was their first Gold- Record.

But there was some problems between Dave and the rest of the band. It got so serious that Dave left the band. He was replaced by Tony Scaglione. He didn't do so good with them. And luckily for Slayer Dave came back.

In 1988, "South Of Heaven" came out. It Tom Araya's first major songwriting input.

In 1990 "Season In The Abyss" came out. It has sold platinum in the States(1.000.000 copies were sold).

In 1991 Slayer wanted to celebrate their 10th anniversary. That is "Decade Of Aggression came out, with all their best songs.

But in 1992 Dave was kicked out of the band. And then he was fortunatly replaced by Paul Bostaph.

But after that they vanished with out a trace.

Then they came back to life in 1993/94, with their new cd. "Divine Intervention". It was the "Reign In Blood" of the 90s.

In 1995 the "Live Intrusion" home video came out. It contains 12 Slayer songs and Venom's "Whitching Hour". It became so successfull that it was #1 on US sales video chart.

Then a new album came out. It their first album of punk covers. It was "Undisputed Attitude". But after the recordings Paul left the band. Slayer also made a video for it,it's "I Hate You" and they also released a single, "Superficial Love/Abolish Government".