Slayer are much more than one of the world's biggest metal bands - they are a phenomenon. Winning a Grammy in 2007 after 25 years of uncompromising albums and a stage show that takes live aggression to its ultimate limit, the LA foursome have retained the respect of their critics and peers like no other contemporary band. Author Joel McIver explains how through their career they have extended the boundaries of thrash metal, providing impetus for the extreme metal wave that rose in the wake and won converts at every step; and, how they weathered the storms of controversy over their lyrics and image. He covers their tours with Slipknot in 2006 and Marilyn Manson in 2007.

Slayer are much more than one of the world's biggest metal bands - they are a phenomenon. Winning a Grammy in 2007 after 25 years of uncompromising albums and a stage show that takes live aggression to its ultimate limit, the LA foursome have retained the respect of their critics and peers like no other contemporary band. Author Joel McIver explains how through their career they have extended the boundaries of thrash metal, providing impetus for the extreme metal wave that rose in the wake and won converts at every step; and, how they weathered the storms of controversy over their lyrics and image. He covers their tours with Slipknot in 2006 and Marilyn Manson in 2007.