The story of two Slayers, one from San Antonio and the other from Los Angeles, is a fascinating tale of metal music, rivalry, and unexpected camaraderie. In 1984, these two bands, both named Slayer, found themselves on the same bill at the Villa Fontana, an old country music dancehall in San Antonio. The LA Slayer, with their growing underground buzz, were set to play a sold-out show, while the San Antonio Slayer, a genuine hometown hero, had been out of action for a few months. Despite the potential for rivalry, the two bands shared a dressing room backstage and even helped each other with their equipment. The gig was a spectacle of heavy metal, with stage diving and screaming fans. The LA Slayer, with their power metal style, and the San Antonio Slayer, with their thrash metal, served up a different kind of show. Amid the heat and flailing bodies, any potential rivalry between the namesake bands failed to materialise. Instead, the bands hung out after the show, with the LA Slayer even taking some of the San Antonio Slayer's cymbal stands. The whole 'Battle Of The Bands' angle was a post-show myth, with the San Antonio Slayer already on their way out. The LA Slayer, with their better distribution and growing popularity, overshadowed the San Antonio Slayer's debut album, 'Show No Mercy'. However, the San Antonio Slayer's 'Go For The Throat' album, released in 1988, became a cult favourite among underground metal fans. The story of these two Slayers is a testament to the power of music and the unexpected connections that can form between artists. It's a reminder that, in the end, we're all just musicians trying to make it in a world of heavy metal.
