Show No Mercy, Haunting the Chapel and Hell Awaits (1983–1986) Slayer

jeff hanneman guitarist of slayer 30 years, 1981 2011. main songwriter along kerry king, lyricist.

without recording budget, band forced self-finance debut album. combining savings of araya, employed respiratory therapist, , money borrowed king s father, band entered studio in november 1983. album rushed release, hitting shelves 3 weeks after tracks completed. show no mercy, released in december 1983 metal blade records, generated underground popularity band. group began club tour of california promote album. tour gave band additional popularity , sales of show no mercy reached more 20,000 in , 20,000 worldwide.

in february 1984, king briefly joined dave mustaine s new band megadeth. hanneman worried king s decision, stating in interview, guess re gonna new guitar player. while mustaine wanted king stay on permanent basis, king left after 5 shows, stating mustaine s band taking of time. split caused rift between king , mustaine, evolved long running feud between 2 bands.

in june 1984, slayer released three-song ep titled haunting chapel. ep featured darker, more thrash-oriented style show no mercy, , laid groundwork future direction of band. opening track, chemical warfare, has become live staple, played @ every show since 1984.

slayer began first national club tour later year traveling in tom araya s camaro towing u-haul trailer. band recorded live album live undead in november 1984 while in new york city.

in march 1985, slayer began national tour venom , exodus resulting in first live home video dubbed combat tour: ultimate revenge. video featured live footage filmed @ new york city s studio 54 club. band made live european debut @ heavy sound festival in belgium opening ufo,

by 1985, show no mercy had sold on 40,000 copies, led band returning studio record second full-length album. metal blade financed recording budget, allowed band hire producer ron fair. released in september 1985, slayer s second full-length release hell awaits expanded on darkness of haunting chapel, hell , satan common song subjects. album band s progressive offering, featuring longer , more complex song structures. intro of title track backwards recording of demonic-sounding voice repeating join us, ending welcome before track begins. album hit, fans choosing slayer best band, best live band, hell awaits 1985 s best album, , dave lombardo best drummer in british magazine metal forces 1985 readers poll.