In 1982, as the band played small clubs like the Woodstock Concert Theater in Anaheim, Slayer's sound was changing. Jeff Hanneman described the crucial period in Slayer's evolution to Guitar World: "During our first year, we were playing Priest and Maiden cover tunes all the time while we figured out what we wanted to do as a band. At the time, I was getting out of metal and into punk. That’s how Slayer’s sound came together—it’s the speed of punk combined with the big riffs of metal."
1-3. Slayer plays the Woodstock, Anaheim, California, October 6, 1982. From the Collection of Kerry King
4. Jeff Hanneman plays his first Gibson Les Paul (before he customized it with chains) at a show at the Woodstock. Note the punk band pins on his guitar strap and shaved head. Jeff later recalled to his wife Kathryn that the shave was prompted by his mother, Carol, who had told him to go get a haircut. A buzzcut was likely not what she had in mind, but Jeff felt that it fit the punk aesthetic. Upon seeing it, Jeff's mom just shook her head and laughed. From the Collection of Kathryn and Jeff Hanneman
5-6. Flyers for Metallica, Enforcer, Leatherwolf, and Slayer at Woodstock, October 22, 1982. From the Collection of Slayer
7-13. Photos from an early Slayer club performance at The Woodstock in Anaheim, California, circa 1983. The photos would go on to be used in promotional materials. Kathryn Hanneman, who would later meet and marry Jeff Hanneman, shot these images on her 110 camera and sent them to Slayer manager Steve Craig. She asked Craig if Jeff would sign them noting that he was "adorable." It was her first Slayer show. Photos: Kathryn Hanneman From the Collection of Kathryn and Jeff Hanneman
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