While heavy metal has unofficially been around for 43 years or so, it was 30 years ago today that Metal Blade Records released Slayer’s debut album, Show No Mercy. While not their most influential album, (that would be 1986’s Reign in Blood), it caught a band on the verge of exploding, and features staples like “Die by the Sword,” “Black Magic” and “The Antichrist.”
And aside from the classic lineup of Tom Araya, Kerry King, Jeff Hanneman and Dave Lombardo playing on the album, a handful of others were involved with the band’s debut, including:
- Metal Blade president Brian Slagel, then 22, also produced the album in addition to releasing it.
- Gene “The Atomic Clock” Hoglan, then in Dark Angel, contributes vocals to “Evil Has No Boundaries.”
- Doug Goodman, who sold T-shirts for them on their first tour, now tour manages Green Day and Beck.
To celebrate it’s 30th Anniversary, we asked Brian Slagel himself to share his thoughts on the album. Here’s what he had to share about Show No Mercy:
“Wow 30 years, time flies. Kerry and I were just talking about this record a couple of weeks ago. I had no idea it’s birthday was this close! I am so proud to have been involved with such an amazing album. I remember being in the studio with those guys then and really felt something special happening. Never would I have thought it would have the impact it has had though. I am glad that it has stood the test of time and was the launchpad for such an amazing career for Slayer. Of course it is also bittersweet these days as I remember and miss my friend Jeff Hanneman. So happy birthday Show No Mercy!!!”
Give Slayer’s landmark album a listen in its entirety in the stream below. Happy birthday Show No Mercy!
