Tom Araya is a Chilean-American musician and singer best known as the bassist/vocalist of the thrash metal band Slayer. He has also performed in thrash metal bands such as Exodus and Vio-Lence. He was the former lead vocalist for the band Salt The Wound from 2006 to 2009. Araya is renowned for his aggressive vocal style, as well as his bass guitar playing. He is also known for his distinctive “growl” which is often heard in his singing. Araya also performs backing vocals in Slayer, as well as lead vocals on some occasions. He is also known for his stage presence and intense live performances. Araya’s lyrics often deal with political and religious themes, such as those found on Slayer’s early releases.
| Name | Tom Araya |
| Date of Birth | June 6, 1961 |
| Nationality | Chilean-American |
| Genres | Thrash Metal, Heavy Metal |
| Instruments | Vocals, Bass Guitar |
| Labels | American, Epic, Sanctuary |
| Associated Acts | Slayer, Altitudes & Attitude |
10 Best Tom Araya Quotes
“I do believe that if people want to hear something, they will find it.”
– Tom Araya, from Loudersound
“I don’t think you can be a good songwriter without being a good listener.”
– Tom Araya, from Loudersound
“I think a lot of the stuff on the new album was inspired by the response we’ve gotten over the years.”
– Tom Araya, from Billboard
“I’m the kind of singer that I don’t like when the vocal punches through.”
– Tom Araya, from Billboard
“I never try to imitate anybody. I just try to do my own thing.”
– Tom Araya, from Guitar World
“I’m not one of those people that think, ‘That’s the way you do it,’ I think it’s always okay to do something different.”
– Tom Araya, from Guitar World
“I’ve always been a fan of music and I love to play; to me, that’s what it’s all about.”
– Tom Araya, from Guitar World
“We prefer to be in control of our own destiny.”
– Tom Araya, from Rolling Stone
“I just want to keep playing and making music.”
– Tom Araya, from Rolling Stone
“I always felt like I had something to prove.”
– Tom Araya, from Guitar World
4 Tom Araya Quotes About Slayer
“We’ve had a great run and it’s not over yet.”
– Tom Araya, from Loudwire
“We’re aware of the importance of Slayer’s music to our fans and we take very seriously the responsibility that comes with it.”
– Tom Araya, from Billboard
“I think Slayer has been a part of people’s lives and will continue to be a part of people’s lives.”
– Tom Araya, from Rolling Stone
“It’s bittersweet, but it’s time.”
– Tom Araya, from Guitar World
6 Inspirational Tom Araya Quotes
“I think that’s the beauty of music, it touches everybody. It doesn’t matter what language you speak, if it’s a good song it touches you.”
– Tom Araya, from MetalSucks
“I think the biggest thing is that we’ve been able to maintain our integrity and our own individualism, and just do what we want to do and what we think is right.”
– Tom Araya, from Blabbermouth
“That’s the beauty of music, it’s a universal language that everyone can understand.”
– Tom Araya, from Blabbermouth
“We’ve been able to stay true to ourselves and to our music and what we wanted to express and what we wanted to do. We don’t have to worry about trying to please a certain demographic or something like that.”
– Tom Araya, from Grammys
“I think it is important to stay true to yourself and to your beliefs and don’t let anyone change that.”
– Tom Araya, from Grammys
“We create music that we like and that we believe in and we just take it from there.”
– Tom Araya, from MetalSucks
7 Famous Tom Araya Quotes
“We don’t make an album and say, ‘Hey, let’s see how many people we can offend.’ It’s never been like that.”
– Tom Araya, from Loudersound
“I don’t think we ever felt we had something to prove. We were just trying to make music. We were just trying to be accepted.”
– Tom Araya, from Rolling Stone
“We didn’t want to be like other rock bands. We wanted to be like Slayer.”
– Tom Araya, from Kerrang!
“My own opinion is, if you’re gonna be in a band, you should be proud of it. You should be proud of what you do. You’re not gonna please everybody. So, you know, as long as you can look in the mirror and be happy with yourself, that’s all that matters.”
– Tom Araya, from Loudersound
“We never felt like we were going against the grain. We just felt like this is what we do, this is what we’re supposed to be doing. It just worked.”
– Tom Araya, from Rolling Stone
“As a lyricist, I know that I have a certain way of writing. I never wanted to be controversial. I never wanted to be offensive. I was just trying to put out my point of view.”
– Tom Araya, from Kerrang!
“We were just making music from the heart and from the soul. That’s what we did. We just wanted to make music.”
– Tom Araya, from Loudersound
6 Tom Araya Quotes About Love
“It’s always been about love. It’s about loving what you do, loving the people you’re with, and loving the people who support you.”
– Tom Araya, from Loudersound
“When we do a show and people come out and they’re happy and they’re enjoying themselves, it’s out of love.”
– Tom Araya, from Loudersound
“Love is what keeps us together and that’s the only thing we’ve got.”
– Tom Araya, from Metal Injection
“Love is the most important thing in life. Everything else is secondary.”
– Tom Araya, from Loudersound
“I think it is important to love what you do and to have a passion for it, and to have love for the people that you’re doing it with.”
– Tom Araya, from Metal Sucks
“You can love something and still find it difficult to do.”
– Tom Araya, from Metal Injection
8 Tom Araya Quotes About Life
“The biggest thing I have learned in life is to be humble and to be kind to people.”
– Tom Araya, from Loudersound
“No matter what happens in life, you just gotta get up, dust yourself off and keep going.”
– Tom Araya, from YouTube
“You can do whatever you want to in life and it might not always be the right thing, but it’s up to you.”
– Tom Araya, from YouTube
“I’m a big believer that what goes around comes around, and so you want to be kind and humble to people, because you never know what the future holds.”
– Tom Araya, from Loudersound
“You have to strive to be the best that you can be and take advantage of the opportunities that life gives you.”
– Tom Araya, from YouTube
“There’s always gonna be something that’s gonna keep you going in life, and you have to have faith and believe in yourself.”
– Tom Araya, from YouTube
“You have to stay positive and keep an open mind, because you never know when something good is gonna come along.”
– Tom Araya, from YouTube
“You have to keep fighting and stay determined, because the rewards can be great if you’re willing to put in the hard work.”
– Tom Araya, from YouTube
7 Quotes About Tom Araya
“Tom Araya has the kind of voice that will make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.”
– J.C. Marcum, from Metal Injection
“Tom Araya is an icon of metal and one of the greatest vocalists of all time.”
– Jason Smith, from Loudersound
“Tom Araya’s vocal style is one of the most instantly recognizable in metal.”
– Justin Gaines, from Heavy Music Headquarters
“Tom Araya is one of the most prolific and influential frontmen in metal today, with a career spanning almost four decades.”
– Tom Dare, from Loudersound
“Tom Araya is arguably the most iconic frontman in metal history.”
– Chris Krovatin, from Revolver Magazine
“Tom Araya is one of the most influential and powerful voices in metal music.”
– Chris Krovatin, from Kerrang!
Interview with Tom Araya
Frequently Asked Questions About Tom Araya
1. What is Tom Araya’s most famous quote?
Tom Araya, the bassist and vocalist of thrash metal band Slayer, is known for his witty and profound quotes. Here are a few of the most famous quotes that Tom Araya has delivered over the years:
- “We’ve always been the underdogs. We’ve always done what we wanted, and that’s what’s kept us going.”
- “We kept doing what we were doing and we kept growing. We kept pushing ourselves and that’s what kept us going.”
- “I never wanted to be the biggest band, I just wanted to be the best.”
- “I don’t think about success. I just think about making music that I can be proud of.”
2. How has Tom Araya’s music career affected his personal relationships?
Tom Araya’s career in music has had a great impact on his personal relationships. His three decades in the music industry have seen him establish himself as one of the most influential metal musicians of all time.
- Firstly, his career has taken him away from his family and friends for long periods of time, limiting the amount of time he is able to spend with them. As a result, he has had to make a conscious effort to stay connected with them.
- Secondly, the demands of his career have also put a strain on his personal relationships. His hectic touring schedule, long hours in the studio, and relentless promotion have left him with little time to devote to his loved ones.
- Thirdly, the fame and success he’s achieved in the music industry has occasionally caused tension in his personal relationships. His peers, family, and friends have sometimes felt jealous of him, leading to difficulties in communication.
- Lastly, his career has also allowed him to build relationships with other musicians and music industry professionals. These connections have been instrumental in helping him succeed and have helped him to develop positive personal relationships.
Overall, Tom Araya’s career in music has had a significant impact on his personal relationships, both positive and negative. Despite the difficulties, he has been able to maintain a strong network of support and friendship throughout his career.
3. What type of music has Tom Araya been known to produce?
Tom Araya is best known as the lead vocalist, bassist, and songwriter of the thrash metal band, Slayer. He has been an integral part of the band since its inception in 1981 and is credited with contributing to their unique style of heavy metal.
Aside from his work with Slayer, Araya has also produced several other musical projects. He has released two solo albums, as well as collaborated with other artists on projects such as:
- Misfits – Earth A.D./Wolfs Blood (1983)
- Neurosis – Souls at Zero (1992)
- The Accüsed – Martha Splatterhead (1986)
- Testament – The Gathering (1999)
- Anthrax – We’ve Come for You All (2003)
- Carnal Forge – Testify for My Victims (2003)
Araya has also released several songs with his own band, Pap Smear. He is often cited as an influence on many of the current metal bands and has been referred to as the “Godfather of Thrash”.
4. What are some of the topics Tom Araya has been known to discuss in his lyrics?
Tom Araya’s lyrics are known to be dark, intense, and thought-provoking, and they often explore a wide range of topics. Some of the most common topics that Araya has touched on in his lyrics include:
- Religion and spirituality
- Politics and social issues
- Personal struggles and relationships
- Mental health and depression
- Life and death
- Love and relationships
- The human condition
Araya’s lyrics are often described as being “hauntingly beautiful,” and his music is often appreciated for its ability to evoke emotion and inspire thought.
5. What does Tom Araya think of the current state of heavy metal music?
Tom Araya is an ardent believer in the power of heavy metal music and its impact on culture. In an interview with Louder Sound, he had a few thoughts to share on its current state:
- He believes that heavy metal music is still as powerful and meaningful as it was in its early days.
- He acknowledges that modern metal bands have pushed the boundaries of the genre, creating music that’s heavier, darker and faster than ever before.
- He thinks that heavy metal has evolved over the years but maintains its core values of freedom and rebellion.
- He is confident that heavy metal will continue to remain a relevant and powerful force in the music industry for many years to come.
Conclusion
Tom Araya is an iconic metal musician and vocalist who has made a lasting impact on the music industry. His distinct sound, powerful lyrics, and unique style have helped to make him one of the most influential metal artists in history. His quotes serve as a reminder of the importance of hard work, dedication, and never giving up on your dreams. Tom Araya continues to inspire fans around the world with his words and music.
