Classic Album Retrospect (Reign in Blood - Slayer)

Reign in Blood - Slayer

 Reign in Blood was the third studio album from American thrash metal gods Slayer (and possibly the most loyal member of the Big Four). Originally released in 1986 through Def Jam Recordings, Reign in Blood was the first slayer record to enter the Billboard 200; debuting at #127 and peaking later at #94. Due to it dark themes and overall genre, Reign in Blood received zero radio play at the time but is still crowned as the defining album from Slayer. Reign in Blood was met with rave reviews from both underground and mainstream critics. Alongside this, Reign in Blood is certified Gold in the US.

 All these accolade are all well and good but does the album still hold up today? Let's find out.

Notable Tracks 

 Angel of Death - Angel of Death is the first track from the record and starts with style. Angel of Death is undoubtedly the most recognizable Slayer track purely because of the scream used in the intro. Angel of Death's lyrics are about the experiments performed by Josef Mengele in the Auschwitz Concentration Camps and ultimately lead to accusations that Slayer were Nazi sympathizers. Angel of Death is a fan favorite for good reason,    
 Necrophobic - Is the shortest track from the record at only 1:41 but still holds a lot of material. Necrophobic starts at a breakneck speed and only slows to lead the listen into a false sense of security. Necrophobic features gory lyrics and an awesome thrashy solo to complete a bite-size package of Slayer action.

 Jesus Saves - Jesus Saves starts a lot slower than you would expect a Slayer track to but slowly builds for some crazy thrash. Jesus Saves stands at less than three minutes but still has the guts to cram in three solos alongside some hard hitting lyrics. Jesus Saves is rarely played live but would guarantee a killer pit. 

 Postmortem - Postmortem is featured towards the end of the record but isn't any less crazy than previous tracks. Postmortem takes a slower pace which adds a lot to the atmosphere of the track. Postmotem picks up the pace towards the end for a final flurry and adds the lone and powerful lyric "Do you want to die?". After the vocals finish the track ends suddenly for a final surprise.

 Raining Blood - Postmortem ends and the iconic rain begins to play and with a smash of thunder the guitars roar into life. Raining Blood focuses on Hanneman's and King's guitar work with good reason, because its immense. Raining Blood builds constantly until it's a steamy hot mess of guitars and drums. Thunder and the rain continues, Raining Blood ends how it begins.

 After a few headbanging filled playthroughs, Reign in Blood has definitely aged well and still holds the intensity it did when it was first released back in the 80s. Reign in Blood only seems old in the sense that now thrash band of today could match that ferocity. Although Slayer may be growing older they still know how to put on a great show live as demonstrated at Sonisphere this year (live review here).