The following is a complete chronology of the various line-ups of Slayer, from the group's inception in 1981 until the present.

Current members

Active: 1981–present

Instruments: bass, lead vocals

Release contributions: all Slayer releases

In 1981 Tom Araya was approached by Kerry King, who asked Araya to join his band Slayer. Araya accepted, using his earnings as a respiratory therapist to finance the band's 1983 debut album Show No Mercy.Jeff Hanneman

Active: 1981–present

Instruments: guitars

Release contributions: all Slayer releases

Jeff Hanneman approached Kerry King in 1981, when King was auditioning for a band. After the try-out session, the two guitarists started talking and playing Iron Maiden and Judas Priest songs. Slayer was born when King asked "Why don't we start our own band?", to which Hanneman replied "...Fuck yeah!". Kerry King

Active: 1981–present

Instruments: guitars

Release contributions: all Slayer releases

In 1981 Kerry King was trying out for the position as a guitarist in a band. After the session was over Jeff Hanneman approached him and the two began playing Iron Maiden and Judas Priest songs with the session drummer. Hanneman mentioned "Why don’t we start our OWN band?” [Laughs] I was like, "…Fuck yeah!"Dave Lombardo

Active: 1981–1986, 1987–1992, 2001–present

Instruments: drums

Live-release contributions: Live Undead (1985), Decade of Aggression (1991), Still Reigning (2004)

Studio-release contributions: Show No Mercy (1983), Haunting the Chapel (1984), Hell Awaits (1985), Reign in Blood (1986), South of Heaven (1988), Seasons in the Abyss (1990), Soundtrack to the Apocalypse (2003), Christ Illusion (2006), Human Genocide (2008)

Former members

Active: 1986–1987

Instruments: drums

Release contributions: none

Tony Scaglione has been a temporary member of Slayer replacing Dave Lombardo for the year 1986 after Lombardo took a break. Lombardo returned in 1987 after his wife convinced him.Paul Bostaph

Active: 1992–1996, 1997–2001

Instruments: drums

Live-release contributions: Live Intrusion (1995), War at the Warfield (2003)

Studio-release contributions: Divine Intervention (1994), Undisputed Attitude (1996), Diabolus in Musica (1998), God Hates Us All (2001), Soundtrack to the Apocalypse (2003)

Following the departure of Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo in 1992, the band were looking for a new drummer. Lombardo's drum teacher was filling in but constantly made errors. After trialling several drummers and listening to hundreds of demo tapes, Bostaph was recommended by Slayer guitarist Kerry King's guitar technician.Jon Dette

Active: 1996–1997

Instruments: drums

Release contributions: Soundtrack to the Apocalypse (2003)

Jon Dette joined Slayer in 1996, when Paul Bostaph left to work on his side project, The Truth about Seafood in L.A.. Dette attended the 1996 Ozzfest to promote the band's 1996 album Undisputed Attitude. Dette was fired from the band in 1997, after a fallout with band members with Bostaph returning to fill his place.

Timeline

 id:Drums               value:blue       legend:Drums

 id:Guitars             value:green      legend:Guitars

 id:Bass;Vocals         value:red        legend:Bass, Vocals

 bar:Araya text:"Tom Araya"

 bar:Hanneman text:"Jeff Hanneman"

 bar:King text:"Kerry King"

 bar:Lombardo text:"Dave Lombardo"

 bar:Scaglione text:"Tony Scaglione"

 bar:Bostaph text:"Paul Bostaph"

 bar:Dette text:"Jon Dette"

 width:10 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4)

 bar:Araya from:01/01/1981 till:end color:Bass;Vocals

 bar:Hanneman from:01/01/1981 till:end color:Guitars

 bar:King from:01/01/1981 till:end color:Guitars

 bar:Lombardo from:01/01/1981 till:01/01/1986 color:Drums

 bar:Scaglione from:01/01/1986 till:01/01/1987 color:Drums

 bar:Lombardo from:01/01/1987 till:01/01/1992 color:Drums

 bar:Bostaph from:01/01/1992 till:01/01/1996 color:Drums

 bar:Dette from:01/01/1996 till:01/01/1997 color:Drums

 bar:Bostaph from:01/01/1997 till:01/01/2001 color:Drums

 bar:Lombardo from:01/01/2001 till:end color:Drums

References

External links

• Slayer — official website