In the early to mid 80s, whenever anyone in South or Central Texas made mention of Slayer, they'd have to also specify whether it was "SA" or "LA" Slayer to whom they referred. The SA Slayer was arguably the local San Antonio metal band that I think achieved any substantial, if short lived, prominence.
Sounding more like Don't Break the Oath era Mercyful Fate than LA Slayer's bay area thrash, they hardly could be mistaken for the more successful band, but among local metal diehards they were beloved all the same. The now dead vocalist, Steve Cooper, joined Juggernaut for one album (Trouble Within); drummer Dave McClain was in Sacred Reich and Machine Head; and the guitarist, Ron Jarzombeck, was also in Watchtower, and is the brother of Bobby Jarzombeck, a drummer who's been in Demons & Wizards, Riot, and Halford's solo band. In addition, another vocalist of the band, Chris Cronk, had been in Fates Warning and Jag Panzer.
I was able, through a local independent music store, to secure a recently rereleased issue of their "Prepare to Die" EP (number 947 out of a print run of 1000), and look forward to someday getting their full length album "Go For the Throat."
Relevant links about SA Slayer include:
BNR Metal
Metal Archives
Rock Detector
Subject: Re: Local metal legends? 
Mon Nov 26, 2007 1:53 pm
