The band's current lineup consists of Sandoval, bassist David Vincent, vocalist Brian Werner and guitarist Richie Brown.

They were briefly regrouped by David Vincent to record their highly influential debut album World Downfall (1989), before they split up again later that year when Pintado left to join Napalm Death.

"[7] Sandoval's drumming style complemented Unknown Death's older songs, and Garcia felt that "everything just started to click" musically when he joined the band.

[3][4] Having attainted a stable line-up, Terrorizer began playing around the Los Angeles area, performing their first show at the Hoover Recreation Centre on March 21, 1987.

[4][N 1] Terrorizer were limited to performing in small venues or at backyard parties for most of their initial existence,[9] and struggled to attract record label interest due to the speed and intensity of their music, which made them unappealing to both the heavy metal and punk rock audiences of the Los Angeles area.

[11][12][N 2] He would subsequently announce to the other members of Terrorizer during a band rehearsal with new bassist Carlos Reveles (who Garcia had played with back in Majesty) that he was leaving to join Morbid Angel, resulting in their disbandment.

"[13] In early 1989, whilst he was in England delivering the master tapes of Morbid Angel's debut album Altars of Madness to the offices of Earache Records, David Vincent discussed Terrorizer with the label's founder, Digby Pearson.

[14][15] Pearson told Vincent that Terrorizer had been signed to Earache before Morbid Angel were, but that he had struggled to get the band to record an album due to its members being based in differing locations.

[14][16] In April 1989, Garcia and Pintado travelled to Tampa, Florida, where both Vincent and Sandoval were based, to record Terrorizer's debut album World Downfall.

[4][17] Although he is credited as both the producer of World Downfall and Terrorizer's bassist in the album's liner notes,[20] Vincent later claimed that he "just played on the record" and was not an official member of the band (at that point).

[22] With Vincent and Sandoval refocusing their attention on Morbid Angel—who were also participating in the Grindcrusher Tour as a supporting act (along with Carcass and Bolt Thrower)—Terrorizer disbanded for a second time.

[28] In 2005, after leaving Napalm Death, Pintado agreed to reform Terrorizer with Sandoval to release another album, Darker Days Ahead, through Century Media Records in August 2006.

[38] However, on August 12, Sandoval reformed Terrorizer with Vincent, alongside former Vital Remains vocalist Brian Werner and guitarist Richie Brown.

[41][42] He asked fellow Nausea member Leon del Muerte (Murder Construct) to play guitar, and shortly afterward Cosmo Reveles, Rick Cortez (Sadistic Intent) and Mike Caffell (Dreaming Dead, Exhausted Prayer) were recruited to fill out the band.