Origin:	Santa Monica, CA, USA
Genres:	Crossover

Cryptic Slaughter

Cryptic Slaughter was one of the most well-known of the so-called crossover bands of the 80's, mixing thrash and hardcore in a matter quite different than the current metalcore trend. The three albums released from 1986 to 1988 are still regarded as cult classics and influential in the field, clearly more hardcore than traditional metal but nevertheless finding quite a following among metal fans. The band split up shortly after their third album (Stream Of Consciousness), with guitarist Les Evans eventually moving from California to Oregon and recruiting an all-new lineup. That lineup released Speak Your Peace in 1990, but again the band broke up. Original bassist Rob Nicholson is notable for appearing in a few other bands over the years (Rob Zombie, Drown), including a short stint with Ozzy Osbourne.

With the 2003 re-release of their first two albums by Relapse (both featuring several bonus tracks) came reports of a reformation of the original lineup. At some point something did materialize in this area (even going as far as setting up an official web site), but it's not clear what the band's current status is.