21 Bands Like Slayer (similar music you’re guaranteed to love!)

Slayer were one of the “big four” thrash metal bands along with Metallica, Megadeth and Anthrax. Formed in 1981 in Huntington Park, California, USA, Slayer have influenced a number of other thrash metal bands. Releasing 12 studio albums before finally splitting in 2019. We have searched our musical archives and have found 21 bands like Slayer so if you are looking for bands to fill the gap left since Slayer split, keep reading.

1. Corporation 187

Corporation 187 are a Swedish thrash metal band that started life as a Slayer cover band. If you’re looking for another band to fill the void left by Slayer’s exit from the music scene, you’re going to love Corporation 187.

2. Metallica

No bands like Slayer list would be complete without mentioning Metallica.

Metallica’s fast tempos and aggressive music led to them being known as one of the “big four” thrash metal bands and even though they did some experimentation and veered slightly off course for a while, they eventually came back to their thrash metal roots.

3. Anthrax

It was with their third album, “Among The Living” that really proved their reputation as one of the “big four” thrash metal bands and every album since has just endorsed their status even further.

4. Megadeth

Megadeth are also one of the “big four” thrash metal bands and they’re still producing great thrash metal albums. Megadeth’s music has been described as a mixture of styles between hardcore punk and the new wave of British heavy metal – Thrash metal. If you like Slayer, you’ll find something in the back catalogue of Megadeth to please you.

5. Oozing Wound

This trio from Chicago has emerged as one of the newer thrash metal bands that are winning fans daily. They might be too much of a thrash band for some of you, but they’re definitely worth a listen.

6. Exodus

Exodus have sold more than 5 million albums worldwide and have released 11 studio albums, 2 live albums and one compilation album. Many people claim Exodus to be one of the pioneers of the Bay area thrash metal scene.

7. Testament

Testament are known as one of the most popular and influential bands of the thrash metal scene. With album sales topping 14 million worldwide and 13 studio albums, Testament will definitely have something in their back catalogue to please even the most die-hard Slayer fan.

8. Vio-lence

One of the 1980s period thrash metal bands, Vio-lence are considered to be one of the leading thrash metal bands of the Bay area thrash metal scene. They have only released 3 studio albums, and a number of EPs but they are very Slayer-like musically and well worth a listen.

9. Dark Angel

Due to their style of fast, heavy songs with extended instrumentals and many tempo changes, they earned the nickname “the LA Caffeine Machine”. They are often cited as leading lights in the second wave of thrash metal bands in the 1980s. They are also known to have been a huge influence in the death metal genre.

10. Dirty Rotten Imbeciles

Dirty Rotten Imbeciles often abbreviated to D.R.I. are an American crossover thrash band formed in Houston, Texas in 1982. Although they never achieved mainstream recognition, D.R.I. have gathered a loyal fan base and have released 7 studio albums and continue to tour.

11. Suicidal Tendencies

This American crossover thrash band from Venice, Los Angeles were formed in 1980. They are often called one of the “fathers of crossover thrash” and for good reason. They have released 14 studio albums, 2 EPs and 4 compilation albums. Over the years they have changed personnel with only Mike Muir founder and vocalist being a constant band member.

12. Sepultura

This Brazilian band has been filling stadiums since the late 80s. They are one of the bands known as the second wave of thrash metal bands from the late 1980s. They have released 15 studio albums and sold almost 20 million albums worldwide. They are popular all around the world in countries as diverse as Australia, Indonesia, France and the US.

13.Overkill

Often called “the Motörhead of thrash metal” due to their unique style of playing which was influenced by hard core punk and the new wave of British heavy metal. They are one of the most successful East Coast thrash metal bands and have released 19 studio albums so far.

14. Annihilator

Annihilator are the highest selling Canadian thrash metal band ever. With album sales of more than 3 million worldwide, mostly from sales outside of their native Canada. They have released 18 studio albums since the release of their first album in 1988. Their first tour was in support of Onslaught in Europe followed by opening for Testament on their North American tour.

15. Onslaught

This British thrash metal band was formed in 1982 in Bristol UK. They have been cited as pioneers of the British thrash metal scene. They have released 7 studio albums, one compilation album and 4 singles.

16. Sabbat

This thrash metal band from Nottingham, England, UK were partly responsible for developing and popularising the thrash metal scene in the UK during the late 80s and early 90s. They only released 4 studio albums and 2 singles but if you like Slayer, Sabbat are definitely worth a listen.

17. Acid Reign

Another British thrash metal band, Acid Reign were formed in Harrowgate, Yorkshire, UK in 1985.The band has gone through a number of personnel changes over the years with only Howard “H” Smith the constant member. They have released 3 studio albums, 2 EPs and 3 singles.

18. Xentrix

Originally called “Sweet Vengeance” , Xentrix were formed in Preston, Lancashire, UK in 1984. They changed their name in 1988 and released 4 studio albums before splitting up in 1997. They reformed in 2013 after a short reuniting in 2005/06. They released their latest album in 2019.

19. Death Angel

Death Angel were one of the key bands in the Bay area thrash metal movement of the 1980s. They were initially active from 1982 to 1991 and again since 2001, they have released 9 studio albums, one box set and 3 live albums.

20. Kreator

Kreator has released 14 studio albums since they were formed in Essen, Germany in 1982. They managed to gain a large underground fan base in the international thrash metal scene. Their second album “Pleasure To Kill” is regarded as a major influential album of the genre.

21. Evile

This British thrash metal band from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK were formed in 2004. They were a part of the thrash metal resurgence of the mid to late 2000s. They have released 5 studio albums and 9 singles.