Band:	S.A. Slayer
Album:	Go For The Throat
Style:	Heavy metal, US power metal
Release date:	1988
Guest review by:	Blackcrowe

01. Go For The Throat
02. Upon Us The End
03. If You Want Evil
04. Off With Their Heads
05. Ride Of The Horsemen
06. Ancient Swords
07. TLO 22
08. The Witch Must Burn
09. Hell Will Be Thy Name
10. Power To Burn

Who's Better, Who's First?

In 1987, when I was 16, I first heard Slayer’s Reign in Blood with some friends. We were blown away by its speed and intensity. That day, a stranger told us, "This is not the real Slayer. The real band is from Texas, and the LA Slayer supposedly stole their name." Weeks later, someone brought a tape, confirming the myth—there was indeed another band named Slayer.

S.A. Slayer was formed in 1982 by ex-Blitzkrieg (US) guitarists Robert ‘Bob Dog’ Catlin and Art Villarreal, along with drummer Dave McClain. Originally named Dragonslayer, they quickly gained recognition in the local metal scene. By the end of 1983, singer Steve Cooper, known for his high-pitched, Halford-like vocals, had joined.

They released the Prepare To Die EP in 1983 as Slayer. The record is a well-constructed collection of classic speed metal, consisting of four songs and a brief, creepy intro. It’s considered an underground classic, showcasing technical skill and drawing comparisons to Riot, Mercyful Fate, and the Show No Mercy era of Slayer. The band was prominent and influential in the Texan scene during those days, opening for Riot, Motörhead, Razor, and the newcomers Metallica.

S.A. Slayer recorded their full length debut album Go For The Throat in early 1984 with new guitarist Ron Jarzombek. However, internal changes and collaborations with Mark Reale from Riot disrupted their momentum, and the legal dispute with Metal Blade Records over the band name delayed the album's release until 1988. The album features US power metal and speed metal with early thrash influences.

Go For the Throat, their final work, was a disappointment compared to their earlier demos and the Prepare To Die EP. The final mix lacks depth, with the bass and drums failing to make a lasting impression. The production is terrible, making the songs sound repetitive. However, Ron Jarzombek’s guitar work stands out, particularly on the instrumental "TLO 22" and the fast-paced "Hell Will Be Thy Name."

**Slayer vs. Slayer**

The myth became legend. On November 30, 1984, two bands named Slayer performed together in San Antonio, Texas. The concert, promoted as "1000 MPH Or Death", featured both the LA thrashers and the local Texas band. Held at Villa Fontana, this iconic '80s metal moment became a legendary 'Battle of the Bands'. Despite rumors of a legal dispute over the name, it was simply a memorable gig. Some witnesses declared that the Texan band sounded better than their LA counterpart.

That same year, S.A. Slayer’s final shows included a notable performance at The Cameo, where they shared the stage with Nasty Savage. After disbanding, members went on to join bands like Riot, Machine Head, Watchtower, and Sacred Reich, leaving a significant mark on the metal scene.

I am curious about what might have happened if the record was released in 1984 instead of 1988. Perhaps the band would have gained more recognition. I think the record was an excellent project, but it was criminally ignored, poorly produced, and forgotten by the band and their managers. As a metalhead, I still ask myself... who came first, Slayer or Slayer?