Like its precursors, Metal Massacre III launched a number of bullet-belted careers, none more impressive than that of Los Angeles crew Slayer. Destined to become one of the most respected and awe-inspiring elements in metal's formidable front, Slayer was still raw when Brian Slagel caught them opening for Bitch at the Woodstock in Anaheim. "I went because Bitch were friends of mine, and Slayer was amazing," says Slagel. "They played eight or nine songs, and most of them were covers, including an amazing version of 'Phantom of the Opera' by Iron Maiden. I went backstage and talked to the kid who was managing them and asked them to be on the next Metal Massacre record."

Formed in Huntington Beach in 1982, Slayer existed not just outside the ranks of local glam bands headed for MTV but even on the fringe of the power metal clique revolving around Metallica. For one thing, Slayer was nonplussed by the NWOBHM. "Weąd see other bands wearing T-shirts and check it out," recalls guitarist Kerry King. "I remember going to a record store to see what was up. Weąd listen to it, but we didnąt dig it. I remember Metallica played Diamond Head's 'Am I Evil?' live way before they recorded it. I figured out who it was, but when I heard the original, it was crap, boring."...