American Carnage Tour-POSTPONED

ACT presents Slayer and Megadeth with Testament

The band was originally known as Dragon Slayer before shortening its name to Slayer. Contrary to what some believe, the name was not chosen as an acronym for Satan Laughs As You Eternally Rot; rather, this wording, found on the liner notes to Divine Intervention, was added as a backronym after the name was shortened. Araya has jokingly stated that they chose Slayer because "it was cool, easy to chant". [3] The backronym might orginate from the line "Laughing as you eternally rot" from the song "Live Undead" (South of Heaven, 1988).

Slayer's first album, Show No Mercy, was released in 1983 on Metal Blade Records. It contains fan favorites such as "Die By the Sword", "The Antichrist" and "Black Magic." It was essential in gaining the band a cult following and respect in the metal community.

A double live album, Decade of Aggression, was released in 1991, and aside from a brief tour the next year (including an appearance at the 1992 Monsters of Rock festival at Castle Donington, nothing new would be heard from Slayer until 1994's Divine Intervention. The new record boasted songs about Jeffrey Dahmer ("213," his apartment number) and Reinhard Heydrich ("SS-3") amongst other themes of murder and the evils of church and government. Live Intrusion, a video of concert footage, was released the next year and features a joint cover of Venom's "Witching Hour" with Machine Head, who were Slayer's support on the spring 1995 tour. (Relations between Kerry King and Robb Flynn have since badly deteriorated.)

God Hates Us All, Slayer's most recent studio album, was released on September 11, 2001. Some promotional material announcing the album title and release date drew an unintended connection with the 9/11 terrorist attacks. They have also released a live DVD (War at the Warfield) and box set (Soundtrack to the Apocalypse) featuring rarities, live CD and DVD performances and various Slayer paraphernalia.

The band received their first Grammy nomination for "Best Metal Performance" on January 8, 2002.

Slayer's new album, Christ Illusion to be released on August 8th, 2006.

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