I just do not understand how the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame can induct Metallica on April 4, 2009, into their shrine, yet Slayer is not enshrined along with them. It is to my understanding, that one important prerequisite for enshrinement into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, is to have 25 years pass since the release of a bands first album. Do not mistake me for one Metal second here, I am a steadfast and loyal fan of Metallica since “Kill ‘Em All”, Metallica deserves their enshrinement. It is too unfortunate that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame could not look back on Thrash Metal history for a second. They would realize if they did the research, that Slayer is of equal value in comparison to Metallica in regards to the formation, foundation, evolution and progress of Thrash Metal!
I do not need to see actual sales figures of albums over the last 25 years to know that Metallica has sold more than Slayer, of course that is fact. Regardless, I do not hesitate to assume that sales figures are not a prerequisite for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame membership. I never give much credence to the Grammy Awards, yet Slayer has won two! Slayer, if anything, has never changed course, always have kept the extreme Thrash Metal meter on high for the last three decades. Slayer has stayed true to the Thrash Metal genre, never selling out, never. Slayer released “Show No Mercy” in December of 1983, on Metal Blade Records. I remember that time period very well, my crowd of Metal friends and I looked upon Metallica and Slayer as basically – equal. Throughout the years, I still considered both of these Thrash Metal giants to be of equal status. Metallica did go a more commercial and Heavy Metal route with “Load”, “Re-load” and “St. Anger”, however, I personally never gave up on Metallica just for their experimentation with the Metal. I have seen both Metallica and Slayer live over the years and in my honest Metal opinion, they were equally great!
Slayer as I mentioned earlier, have always delivered, without question, very fast, very heavy, Thrash Metal. Slayer has exhibited consistency, loyalty, endurance and quality musicianship to the world of Thrash Metal since 1983, isn’t that worth something to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? Slayer has released, since 1983, 10 studio albums (which I am including “Undisputed Attitude”), 2 live albums and 2 EP’s. Compared to a vast majority of any Rock band since 1983, that is quite an impressive catalog of album releases. Just to reiterate, I wholeheartedly agree that Metallica deserves their place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame! No one has to convince me of that! It would have been very cool, actually justified, to see Slayer be recognized at the same time.
For now, Tom Araya, Jeff Hanneman, Kerry King and Dave Lombardo are in my very own, self proclaimed, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Paul Bostaph, in my Metal opinion, filled in on drums tremendously while Dave Lombardo was out, therefore, Paul Bostaph is in too. I have spoken my Metal mind.
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