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First off, releasing a 28 minute album on a major label in 1980's is not metal; it's PUNK. Everything from the double bass drum freakouts to the whammy bar solos sounds exactly like what mom's nightmare record should sound like. There is one album which can objectively be given a high grade for achievement by non-heshers: Reign In Blood. I am really not a metalhead. And I would give it a five if I were to grade purely in terms of "artistic integrity." I mean, has anyone ever stayed so true to a musical ethos after signing a major label deal. Sure it makes me smile to think of Tipper Gore finding this in her kid's walkman, but it's not exactly like these lyrics are something I can get much enjoyment from.The true strong point of this record is it's sonic delivery, a true milestone in hard, fast, heavy music.
Ultimately, it seems a little disingenuous that swastikas and satanic imagery are used mostly just to get a reaction from conservatives, liberal hippies, etc.
Everyone should celebrate that move.
I think Metallica is overrated and macho aggression is a dead end in music.
I find most of the supposed "real" metal albums that are always touted by fur-lined-denim-jacketed wrist-sweatband-on-forearm mulleted stoners to be esoteric pleasures at best.
So I'm not a metal guy.
As for the lyrics and imagery, well.
it's a bit over the top.
But, I can't give this anything less than a four.
(Well, Nirvana did make In Utero after selling a bazillion records).
I mowed my and trimmed my lawn in under 30 minutes while my neighbor took 58.
Hardly from it, but if you can sit through equal parts of horror and war films, then you'll probably find the same degree of intensity on this album. All metal fans should own the record.
Older album review time.Alright, so over 20 years have passed since Reign in Blood was put out and it still remains one of the craziest albums ever. Metal's gotten more br00tal since the release of this record, but the record is still as intense now as it was then.
Woo hoo. All brought to you by Rick Rubin who's done nothing but help bring good music to people throughout the years.
Unlike most other releases which have some level of attempted-prog-wankery, these guys were in and out in about 30 minutes with frantic solos from the guitar tandem of Jeff Hannemann and Kerry King, Tom Araya's wailing vocals, and Dave Lombardo's drumming template for modern metal. There's a lot of times where the music goes from metal to cacophony but if it doesn't do that, IT AIN'T SLAYER.
As for other music fans, there's probably some of you who may be as reserved as I was when I was younger, worrying that this kinda music would rot the brain and convert you to a satanist. Do check it out.
In fact, this album is perhaps best known for the fact that its under a half-an-hour long. Next comes 'Epidemic', a song about some sort of "permanent disease". Joseph Mengele. This expanded edition also includes two great bonus tracks. Allow me to review each song 'piece by piece' to explain why. The album starts with Slayer's most popular and most controversial song, 'Angel Of Death', the lyrics to which focus on the Nazi concentration camp at Auschwitz and more specifically on the work of the dreaded Dr. In 1986, at a time in heavy metal history when certain bands were writing epic 5-minute-plus songs (think Metallica and Iron Maiden), Slayer took it upon themselves to release an album consisting almost entirely of 2-3 minute songs. 'Postmortem' builds up slowly but surely before erupting into chaos and then fading into 'Raining Blood', a song about the apocalypse as described in the Bible, complete with the sound of falling rain.
This expanded edition, however, does not include any new photos or liner notes. Finally, there are 'Postmortem' and 'Raining Blood', which go together. I highly recommend this album to anyone who wants to get into something heavier and hear why Kerrang. The theme of death continues with the next three songs: 'Piece By Piece' is obviously about dismemberment, 'Necrophobic' is about the fear of death, and 'Altar Of Sacrifice', Slayer's most Satanic song ever, is about sacrificial rituals. It is also widely considered to be Slayer's best. The first is a rerecording of 'Aggressive Perfector', which has much clearer production quality than the original version on the Haunting The Chapel EP.
Keep in mind, however, that the lyrics contain no opinions, just a factual account of one of mankind's darkest hours. 'Altar Of Sacrifice' bleeds into 'Jesus Saves', which criticizes Christianity and the way people practice it, followed by 'Criminally Insane' and 'Reborn'. The second is a remix of 'Criminally Insane', which is slower but has a new guitar solo in the intro. magazine ranked it as the #1 thrash metal album of all time.
It's everything real metal should be- not like those nu-metal emo punks Korn and Slipknot. Hello Metal-Heads. I have a special place reserved for them and their fans in a dark and fishing smelling part of Hell where all their type go. Satan here. I just wanted to make sure that all of you knew that this album has my whole-hearted endorsement. All of Slayer's albums carry my 100% guaranteed Seal of Approval. See you in Hell.
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