Which Slayer guitarist co-founded the band with Jeff Hanneman in 1981?

Kerry King co-founded Slayer with Jeff Hanneman in 1981.

The two guitarists met while auditioning for another band in Southern California. Discovering shared enthusiasm for heavy music, they began playing together and decided to form their own group. Tom Araya joined on bass and vocals, while Dave Lombardo became the original drummer, completing Slayer’s foundational lineup.

King became one of Slayer’s defining guitarists and songwriters, sharing lead-guitar duties with Hanneman throughout much of the band’s career. Slayer’s fast, abrasive style helped establish thrash metal alongside Metallica, Megadeth and Anthrax, the genre’s commonly cited “Big Four.”

A frequent mix-up is Dave Mustaine, who co-founded Megadeth after leaving Metallica; he did not co-found Slayer. Gary Holt joined Slayer decades later as a touring and then official guitarist, while Marty Friedman was associated with Megadeth.