Melding their NWOBHM influences with their sinister intentions and hella fast speed Metal, Slayer hit the scene as a band in 1981. After their recorded debut on Metal Blade’s Metal Massacre II, and then later that year – Show No Mercy would arrive on December 3rd, 1983, also via Metal Blade. This was less than a month after being hastily recorded. Few understood how important a debut or band would become.
Formed in 1981, Slayer assaulted the world with a new hybrid of metal and punk – heavier, faster and darker than the rest – and set a new standard, defining not only a genre, but an attitude. Throughout Slayer’s history, the band never faltered in unleashing their extreme and focused aural assault, and repudiating temptations, Slayer always chose to remain crushing and brutal, steadfastly refusing to cater to the mainstream. Now celebrating its 40th anniversary, Show No Mercy is the debut studio album by American thrash metal masters, Slayer. The album was initially released on December 3, 1983, by Metal Blade Records, who, in honor of Show No Mercy’s 40th anniversary, will be unleashing two unique pieces of vinyl for fans: A limited edition “Blood” filled liquid vinyl – limited to 250 worldwide, and the Show No Mercy (40th Anniversary Edition) vinyl set that includes a Gold Black Dust LP mastered for vinyl from the original master tapes by Patrick W. Engel at Temple Of Disharmony, a slipmat, poster, show flyers, signing card, and an LP booklet featuring the story of Show No Mercy, written by J. Bennett.
Slayer’s classic Thrash Metal album Reign In Blood will be part of a new series next year dubbed “Record Store Day Essentials” via Record Store Day. The exclusive splatter vinyl patter is a limited edition and will release/ship on March, 1st, 2024. Joining the album will be Beach Boys iconic Pet Sounds and 1990s staple So Tonight I Might See by Alt-Rock legends Mazzy Star. Following the retirement of Slayer in 2019 and the other core band members have been quiet, although Kerry King is making moves for his solo band in 2024.
Gama Bomb is not just another tribute band to the glory days of Thrash Metal. Bats (Prosthetic Records) does display that while they are students of the era, they are also invested in establishing themselves as a band that walks in the present, while preferring to keep things at a more manic pace.Continue reading
UPDATED: Kerry King’s first solo confirmed gig under the name Kerry King will be at Welcome To Rockville. Legendary Slayer guitarist Kerry King has hinted that his long-awaited new project will finally arrive in 2024. Kerry King’s music page on Facebook shared a photo of the chain Kerry had worn on stage for years sitting on what appears to be the floor of a stage, along with the message: “Coming in 2024…’ The chain was synonymous with King on stage for decades. King hasn’t discussed it much lately but talked up new music and touring following the retirement of Slayer in December of 2019 and again in 2021. He cited the global pandemic as a reason the project has not seen the light of day by now. Paul Bostaph has confirmed he could be involved, along with Gary Holt. Others rumored to be part of the project included Rex Brown and Philip H. Anselmo, but that seems unlikely with the Pantera tour plans for 2024 opening for Metallica in Europe and North America.
Keefy of Ghost Cult chatted with Nige and Heather of UK Thrash Metal upstarts Chupacabra! They just released their debut EP Fortified With Ashes! We chatted about the formation of the band, the folklore around the name and some mutual love for The X-Files, their connection to Slayer book author DX Ferris and his new podcast, influences, good advice from Gary Holt, feminism and religion, the current crop of great UK metal bands right now, and their next musical adventure already in the works!
Well, look out guys, we’re in for another brutal outing. See, a band usually lets you know they mean fucking business when they have one of them thesaurus type names. Hence Arborescence of Wrath with the surprisingly tame album name Inferno (Transcending Obscurity Records).
Alongside Integrity, Ringworm are one of Cleveland, Ohio’s premiere Hardcore outfits. Formed in 1989 the band’s original run lasted until 1994 and yielded the classic The Promise debut album. Since their 1999 reunion, the band have been prolific with Seeing Through Fire being their ninth release and first since 2019’s Death Becomes My Voice.
Chupacabra is an interesting name for a Thrash/Death Metal band. I’m honestly surprised it hasn’t been taken for a band already. Perhaps the band may tour with Thrashsqatch in the future, perhaps call it; Into the Crypt with the Cryptids.
“Drinking beer, smoking marijuana, listening to Judas Priest…” stems from a shoddy news report detailing the Judas Priest lawsuit trial from 1990. But for those in the know, the sample from the said report was the awesome opening touch that Nails went with on the Among the Arches of Intolerance/In Pain single from 2015. If you don’t own the Decibel Magazine flexi, do yourself a favor and give it a listen on your preferred streaming platform. The same beer-swilling, reefer madness slogan would make perfect sense paired with another Oxnard, California standout in Dead Heat.