The American thrash metal band Cryptic Slaughter first was born in the summer of 1984 by three guys named Les Evans, Scott Peterson and Adam Scott who were between 14 and 17 years old and met through their love for soccer which they all played. Another soccer player named Bill Crooks joined in the fall as school started. Soon Adam was kicked out since he started missing rehearsals, probably a result of his parents disliking of him being in the band, both being teachers and wanting something else from their son. They first appeared to the world in 1985 with their "Life In Grave" demo tape. Shortly after the recording of their album "Stream Of Consciousness" vocalist Bill Crooks and drummer Scott Peterson decided to leave the music business and the band broke up. However guitarist Les Evans and bass player Rob Nicholson recruited new members and continued for some time. In September 1985 they played an important show with DRI, Descendents and Excel (September 13th, 1985 in Sun Valley at the Sportmen Hall). The next morning Les Evans had a package in the mail from Brian Slagel's lawyer with record contracts for the Metal Massacre compilations and full-length LP. In May 1989 Evans relocated to Portland, Oregon, where he reformed Cryptic Slaughter with a new line-up. However, after touring in the autumn of 1990 the band broke up again. A new reunion took place but in January 2003 Bill Crooks left and not much has been heard from them since. The "Conviction" and "Money Talks" albums were re-released in 2003.
