SLAYER

Once regarded as an impenetrable cacophony of sound, 10 years on and Slayer, along with Metallica, Anthrax and Megadeth, are now seen as the Godfathers of thrash metal. Brutal and unrelenting on their seminal breakthrough albums Hell Awaits (1985) and Reign In Blood (1986) and with lyrics that touch on serial killers, the Holocaust (track Angel of Death, incited accusations of far-right sympathies as it concerned Nazi war criminal Joseph Mengele) and warfare, what sets Slayer apart is their musicianship, lacing their songs with intricate time changes and chord progressions that would baffle lesser bands. Founded in California in 1982 by bassist and vocalist Tom Araya, guitarists Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman and drummer Dave Lombardo, the band have now spent over 12 years at the peak of their cacophonous reign. The band are set to cause controversy again with a new song, Jihad, about a religious terrorist. Their new album is out in August. Its title? Christ Illusion. Well, you didn't expect an album about falling in love at the disco did you?