Slayer is an American
thrash metal band from
Huntington Park, California, formed in 1981 by guitarists
Jeff Hanneman and
Kerry King. Slayer rose to fame with its 1986 release
Reign in Blood, and is credited as one of the "big four" thrash metal bands, along with
Metallica,
Megadeth, and
Anthrax. Since its debut album in 1983, the band has released twelve studio albums, two live albums, a box set, six music videos, two extended plays and a cover album. Four of the band's studio albums have received
gold certification in the United States. The band has received five
Grammy nominations, winning one in 2007 for the song
Eyes of the Insane, and one in 2008 for the song "Final Six" (both from 2006's
Christ Illusion). Slayer has also played at several music festivals worldwide, including
Unholy Alliance,
Download and
Ozzfest.