Various bands once known as Slayer. 1) Slayer was an American thrash metal band from Huntington Park, California. 2) S.A. Slayer, originally known as Slayer, was an American heavy metal band formed in San Antonio, Texas in 1981 –==– 1) - Slayer was an American metal band from Huntington Park, California, active from 1981-2019. Formed by guitarists Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman, drummer Dave Lombardo, and bassist/vocalist Tom Araya, Slayer's extremely fast and aggressive musical style made them one of the 1980s "Big Four" bands of the thrash metal style, alongside Metallica, Megadeth, and Anthrax.