Cryptic Slaughter is an American crossover thrash band based in Santa Monica, California, and originally formed in 1984. The band are regarded as influential in Hardcore punk and Crossover thrash, being dubbed, "The original speedcore merchants".

Biography

Cryptic Slaughter was formed in 1984 by Les Evans (age 17), Scott Peterson (age 14), and Adam Scott (age 15), who met through their mutual participation in the American Youth Soccer League (AYSO). Soon they were joined by Bill Crooks (age 15), a friend of Adam Scott and a fellow soccer player. Adam Scott was let go a few months later due to conflicts regarding his parents and school.

Their first demo, Life in Grave, was produced in 1985 and became well circulated in the burgeoning tape-trader underground. Their first full-length LP, Convicted, was released in 1986 on Death/Metal Blade records, whose artist roster also boasted D.R.I., Corrosion of Conformity, Dr. Know, The Mentors, and Beyond Possession. Within its first year of release, Convicted sold over 25,000 copies and earned Cryptic Slaughter the reputation as being one of the fastest bands in hardcore, with the album being described as, "a violently giddy, adrenalin-charged half hour, every single cut spewing a torrent of anti-establishment bile and fury."

After Convicted, the band recorded and released Money Talks in 1987,

The original line-up recorded their final studio album, Stream of Consciousness, in 1988. though there have been no updates on it since then.

Musical Style

Cryptic Slaughter's musical style has been described as Crossover thrash, Thrashcore, Thrash metal, and Hardcore punk. They are often credited as pioneers of Crossover, alongside other bands such as Suicidal Tendencies, D.R.I. and Stormtroopers of Death.

Members

Current members

  • Les Evans – guitar (1984–1990, 2002–2003, 2021–present), bass (1988–1999, 2002–2003)
  • Scott Peterson – drums (1984–1988, 2021–present)
  • Brad Mowen – vocals (2021–present)
  • Dave Webb – guitar (2022-present)
  • Menno Verbaten – bass (2021–present)

Former members

  • Dave Hollingsworth – vocals (1989–1990)
  • Adam Scott – guitar (1984–1985)
  • Bill Crooks – vocals (1984–1988)
  • Rob Nicholson – bass (1984–1988)
  • Bret Davis – bass (1989–1990)
  • Brian Lehfeldt – drums (1989–1990, 2002–2003)
  • Chris Merrow – vocals (2002–2003)
  • Matt Olivo – guitars (2021)

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

  • Convicted (1986)
  • Money Talks (1987)
  • Stream of Consciousness (1988)
  • Speak Your Peace (1990)

EPs

  • Band in S.M. (2003)

Demos

  • Life in Grave (1985)

References

  • Relapse Records band page