Slayer came together in California as teenager in 1981, w/ the purpose of playing heavy metal music... covering bands like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Venom ... Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman (guitars) w/ Dave Lombardo (drums) joined forces w/ Tom Araya (vocals & bass), who was a bit older than the others in Slayer.
2 things happened that shaped Slayer's musical direction... First, guitarist Jeff Hanneman got into hardcore punk rock (bands like Minor Threat, Misfits, D.R.I. ) and pushed the band to play more frantically ... Second, the band saw Metallica perform at a club in L.A. in 1982 and made a huge impression - showed them this new sound called thrash metal... So, Kerry and Jeff began writing original songs, the first being the track 'Aggressive perfector'... and Slayer completed and released their debut album 'Show no mercy' in late 1983... drawing from horror movies and fiction, as well as evil, satanic themes.

"Hell Awaits" came in 1985 but Slayer were still struggling financially... In 1986, producer Rick Rubin signed Slayer to his Def Jam label and produced their iconic album 'Reign in Blood'... which set a new precedence of speed and aggression in metal, as well as controversial lyrics about the n+zi holocaust and real-world atrocities... Slayer hit success and scored 3 successful gold selling records (half million copies) in the US - 'Reign in Blood'... 'South of Heaven' (1988) and 'Seasons in the Abyss' (1990)... As Slayer toured across the world, their mosh pits became notorious for their aggression, violence and intensity  at concerts while the band played live... They were listed alongside Metallica, Anthrax, and Megadeth as the "Big 4" of thrash metal.  

In 1992, drummer Dave Lombardo was fired and replaced by Paul Bostaph (drums) and Slayer released another gold album 'Divine intervention' (1994)... but subsequent albums sold less in the 90's as the 80's thrash metal scene was decimated in popularity.

Slayer made a comeback in 2001 w/ the album 'God hates us all'... and in 2002, Dave Lombardo (drums) rejoined Slayer as they built their popularity back up w/ touring and the albums 'Christ illusion' (2006) and 'World Painted Blood' (2009)

In 2011, guitarist Jeff Hanneman was sidelined by a near-fatal infection by a flesh-eating bacteria that damaged his arm... He never returned to the band, tragically... Jeff Hanneman passed away in 2013 after years of alcohol abuse (R.I.P.) at age 49... Exodus guitarist Gary Holt, who was filling in for Jeff Hanneman in Slayer, was named as his permanent replacement.
Drummer Dave Lombardo also left Slayer in 2012 following a financial disagreement... Paul Bostaph (drums) rejoined Slayer in 2013.

In 2015, Slayer released their final album 'Repentless'... They announced a 'farewell' tour in 2017 after frontman Tom Araya announced his retirement... Slayer ended their final tour in 2019.

In 2024, Kerry King announced a solo album 'From Hell I rise'... w/ a new band and a tour... That same year, Slayer announced sporadic shows and have continued to make limited live appearances in 2025 but have no plans to record again ... w/ Kerry King & Paul Bostaph focused on Kerry's solo band and Gary Holt busy w/ Exodus.

This is a hellova Slayer song to start with 😂

As far as iconic Slayer songs, I'd recommend "Raining Blood", "South of Heaven", "Angel of Death", "Seasons in the Abyss" in roughly that order.  "Raining Blood" is probably their most famous song, and generally the tip of the iceberg.  "South of Heaven" is slower and more sinister, and provides enough contrast that I think it makes a good follow-up.

all these many decades later and I still have the lyrics memorized!

Dave Lombardo is crazy, great drummer.  Please react seasons in the abyss🙏

First Slayer show was up here in the Bay Area 1984 with Exodus!

RAINING BLOOD,DEAD SKIN MASK,SEASONS IN THE ABYSS,SOUTH OF HEAVEN,ANGEL OF DEATH and DOZENS of other Classics !!!!

Captor of sin, At dawn they sleep, Necrophiliac...

Ah yesss.my favorite slayer record  .the drums  are just killing it.never gets old.

While I enjoy the early Slayer, personally I would introduce people to it via the "Seasons in the Abyss" album.
The first albums alternate between speed and doom, but they settled into a more balanced sound and production for Seasons.
I would recommend listening to the title track then the cover by Hellsongs. Hearing the cover sung in an emotional female voice allows you to focus on the poetry of the lyrics.

Xcellent starting point on SLAYER journey Phoebe ❤

This album means so much to those of us that grew up with Slayer.I feel like this album was Slayer at their most progressive.They transcend genre,pure energy.Jeff had alot to do with that,he was truly the heart and soul of Slayer.

The next song on that album, Kill Again, is one of my favorite SLAYER songs. As a teenager back in the 80s I was a hard core SLAYER fan.

"Die By The Sword","Black Magic","Evil Has No Boundaries","Captor Of Sin","Chemical Warfare"&"Haunting The Chapel" are great choices along with other tracks mentioned elsewhere

10 Times survived(!) their Concerts right in the Middle of the Main Moshpit.....NOTHING is comparable to the SLAYTANIC WEHRMACHT !

Raining Blood, War Ensemble, Angel of Death, Postmortem all greats. But, Raining Blood is the must know song from Slayer.

South of Heaven has been my ring tone since my first phone. "Payback" is my calm down song.

It was a helluva experience hearing this song live, they opened with it the 2nd time I saw them in 2011,
And apparently they hadn't opened with it in many years at that point, I can tell you, hearing that "Welcome BAAAACK!" echoing from the stage and about a minute of silence before they started the song kinda made the hair stand up on my arms! When they got into the song, Everyone were going crazy! and they played it with the same intensity as the album version if not more, HAIL F'KN SLAYER🤘

Woohooo!!! Great first pick🤘 This album is very underrated, but I think it’s their second best. Their best is of course their third album Reign in Blood. I remeber back in 1986 and I was 11 years old. I got money from my mom to buy a what she thought a Slade record, and I came home with Slayer’s Reign in Blood😊 She was unhappy, but I was very happy. Still got that vinyl and Hell Awaits in my collection in mint condition. I think you need to hear the song Angel of Death from the Reign in Blood album. Probably their most famous song or imfamous to some. The lyrics have triggered many people during the years because of missunderstandings. Try it and see what you think. It’s also one of their best songs ever if not the best😊 Have a great Sunday😊🤘

Slayer is in a League of their Own.......

NOTHING COMES CLOSE

I was a 17yr old Very Long haired Absolute Metal Head not far from where Slayer was formed in SoCal

The most Haunting Riffs Ever Created To This Very Day.....!

They Where Channeled Directly From The After Life

In 1985 There Was Nothing Deeper And Heavier...Nothing Was In The Same Realm Nothing Came Close....End Of Story ....!!!!!

They Are Still In A League Of Their Own  !

Take A Listen To ""Angel Of Death"