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Show No Mercy

by Slayer

Released: December 03, 1983

Thrash metal, speed metal

musicOnOff editorial

Why This Album Matters

This album matters because its strongest editorial story is: Chart Success.

The Album

"Show No Mercy" is the debut studio album by American thrash metal band Slayer. The album's cover art, which features a sword-wielding, spiked demon, has become one of the band's most recognizable images. Released on December 3, 1983, through Metal Blade Records, it marked the first official full-length release from the band.

Inside the Recording

The album was recorded in Los Angeles, California with its recording budget reportedly being around $1,500, which was funded by Kerry King's father.

Stories and details

Interesting Facts

"Show No Mercy" is considered to be seminal…

"Show No Mercy" is considered to be seminal in the creation of thrash metal, with its combination of New Wave of British Heavy Metal and hardcore punk influences.

The album's reception was massively positive, gaining the…

The album's reception was massively positive, gaining the band a substantial fan base.

"Show No Mercy" contains Slayer's first song to…

"Show No Mercy" contains Slayer's first song to receive airplay, "Die by the Sword".

Some of the other tracks in this album…

Some of the other tracks in this album include "Black Magic," "The Antichrist," and "Evil Has No Boundaries." The band members during the creation of this album were lead vocalist and bassist Tom Araya, guitarists Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman, and drummer Dave Lombardo.

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Slayer - Show No Mercy

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Reception

It also managed to reach number 157 on the Billboard 200 despite receiving virtually no airplay.

Full background

The Complete Album Story

"Show No Mercy" is the debut studio album by American thrash metal band Slayer. Released on December 3, 1983, through Metal Blade Records, it marked the first official full-length release from the band. The album was recorded in Los Angeles, California with its recording budget reportedly being around $1,500, which was funded by Kerry King's father.

"Show No Mercy" is considered to be seminal in the creation of thrash metal, with its combination of New Wave of British Heavy Metal and hardcore punk influences. The album's reception was massively positive, gaining the band a substantial fan base. It also managed to reach number 157 on the Billboard 200 despite receiving virtually no airplay.

The album's cover art, which features a sword-wielding, spiked demon, has become one of the band's most recognizable images. "Show No Mercy" contains Slayer's first song to receive airplay, "Die by the Sword". Some of the other tracks in this album include "Black Magic," "The Antichrist," and "Evil Has No Boundaries."

The band members during the creation of this album were lead vocalist and bassist Tom Araya, guitarists Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman, and drummer Dave Lombardo.