SLAYER: Unpublished 1983 Interview w/Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman Now Available

Brian Lew, coauthor of MURDER IN THE FRONT ROW: Shots From the Bay Area Thrash Metal Epicenter (Bazillion Points Books) has posted a previously unpublished 1983 interview with Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman of SLAYER. The interview, typed by Kerry King, was originally intended for the second issue of Lew's pioneering Whiplash fanzine, and covers a time period prior to the release of SLAYER's 1984 debut album, Show No Mercy. You can check out the interview for yourself HERE.

Among the subjects covered are SLAYER's early history, band influences, the Los Angeles heavy metal scene, and writing songs "as heavy and evil as possible."

Kerry King on the Slayer's influences: "I think it's kind of obvious that we like Venom and Metallica. I also think [Mercyful] Fate's new album has some of the hottest riffs ever written."

Jeff Hanneman on the Los Angeles heavy metal scene: "L.A. has got to be the poser capital of the world. Around here Quiet Riot, Motley Crue, and Ratt are the heaviest in the world. So if that's heavy we must be molten steel."

MURDER IN THE FRONT ROW, by Harald Oimoen and Brian Lew, is a stunning collection over 400 color and black-and-white photos of the birth of thrash metal in San Francisco, capturing historic moments including the earliest shows by Slayer, Metallica, and Megadeth, and events such as the first night Slayer met the young members of Metallica. The book also includes passionate personal accounts by Bay Area veterans Harald Oimoen, Brian Lew, Ron Quintana of Metal Mania, Gary Holt of Exodus, Alex Skolnick of Testament, and Robb Flynn of Vio-lence/Machine Head. From DIY origins to world domination, the Bay Area thrash metal scene screams to life in these fearless pages. Find out more info HERE.