Photographed by Scott Ferrara
Tom Araya Slayer
Although satanic imagery and grisly subject matter was nothing new to the realm of heavy metal (Venom, Black Sabbath, etc.), it wasn't until Slayer came along in the early '80s that it was explored so thoroughly. Although the band's brutal guitar riffing and superhuman double bass drumming were major ingredients of the band's sound, it was frontman/bassist (and longtime EMG endorser) Tom Araya's screaming vocal style and disturbing lyrics that set Slayer apart from the rest of the thrash metal pack. Tom plays Dual EMG-35DC's on his signature ESP Bass.