Slayer is an American thrash metal band formed in 1981 in Huntington Park, California, by guitarists Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman, bassist/vocalist Tom Araya, and drummer Dave Lombardo. The band's fast, aggressive musical style established them as one of the "big four" thrash metal bands alongside Metallica, Megadeth, and Anthrax. Their 1986 album Reign in Blood marked a significant release in extreme metal. Slayer maintained an active touring presence throughout their career, known for their intense live performances. The band's final lineup included Tom Araya, Kerry King, Gary Holt, and Paul Bostaph. Slayer reunited in fall 2024 after their 2019 farewell tour.