S.A.Slayer
| S.A.Slayer | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Slayer |
| Origin | San Antonio, Texas |
| Genres | Heavy metal, speed metal |
| Years active | 1981–1984 |
| Labels | Rainforest Records Under den Linden Records |
| Associated acts | Juggernaut, Watchtower, Riot, Karion, Liquid Sky, Narita, Pitbull Daycare, Machine Head, Pigface |
| Past members | Steve Cooper Don Van Stavern Ron Jarzombek Art Villareal Robert Catlin Dave McClain Chris Cronk |
S.A.SLAYER, originally known simply as SLAYER, was an American heavy metal band formed in San Antonio, Texas in 1981 by the former Blitzkrieg guitar duo Robert "Bob Dog" Catlin and Art Villareal, bassist Don Van Stavern, drummer Dave McClain, and vocalist Chris Cronk (Fates Warning, Jag Panzer, Karion, Talisphere, Target 7). The latter was soon replaced by Steve Cooper and the band signed a record deal with local upstart label Rainforest Records and proceeded to record six songs for a proposed EP at B.O.S.S. Studios with producer/engineer duo Bob O'Neill and Rick Shrieves. The Prepare to Die EP was released in 1983 to excellent reviews, and "Slayer", as they were known at the time became one of the top metal draws of the Texas scene. The band changed their name to S.A. Slayer so they would not confused with thrash metal legends Slayer.
Guitarist Art Villareal left the band in 1983 and joined forces with former Slayer band-mate, powerhouse vocalist Chris Cronk, bassist Pete Perez, and drummer Frank Ferraira to form one of the most influential power-progressive metal units to ever come out of the South Texas metal movement, Karion. His replacement was local guitar whiz kid Ron Jarzombek who made his recording debut on Slayer's first and what would turn out to be only full-length album, Go For The Throat, again produced and engineered by the team of Bob O'Neill and Rick Shrieves. However, the album's release was put on hold indefinitely when Rainforest Records closed their doors. It would be another four years until obscure L.A.-based label Under den Linden Records bought the master tapes and issued the LP posthumously in 1988 under the altered moniker "S.A. Slayer" as to avoid confusion with the California-based speed–thrash metal outfit of the same name ("S.A." standing for "San Antonio"). Coincidentally, both bands had shared a bill at San Antonio's infamous rock venue "Villa Fontana" in what has been dubbed as the "Slayer vs. Slayer battle of the bands" when the latter were touring behind their Haunting the Chapel EP. The show was the penultimate San Antonio appearance of S.A. Slayer, on November 30, 1984. The show was conceived, produced and promoted by south Texas concert production company Omni Entertainment. A boutique organization created by two high school students committed to growing the burgeoning San Antonio underground heavy metal scene by booking national touring acts and giving local heavy hitters the opportunity to open.
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