It’s time for fffffuuuuuuuucccccckkkkkkkiiiiiinnnnnngggggg SSSSSSSLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRR and I feel that there are so many opinions on which album is their best. Some would say that it’s Reign in Blood, some say Seasons, others will say South. It’s a shame that they were the first of the Big 6 to retire because let’s be honest here, they’re badass!! Well without babbling on too much here we go:
Show No Mercy- well as with all debut albums from the Big 6, the recording is really raw and old. It definitely sounds like it was recorded in the 80’s and while it’s not their strongest effort I believe Kirk Hammett said it best about their debut “it’s so very Slayer.” The songs aren’t quite there in terms of full on thrash but they are evil and satanic and that’s one of the many things we love about Slayer. The songs they do play from this album live go over well. Tom’s voice is very young sounding but Jeff and Kerry’s playing is awesome as usual and Dave’s drumming is well just fantastic. I mean you can even hear Tom’s bass playing too and he isn’t really known as a bass player which is true I mean when you think of bass players in metal Tom Araya isn’t exactly ones first thought. Overall a strong effort which is why I give this one a 7/10.
Standouts: Evil Has No Boundaries, Black Magic, Show No Mercy
Hell Awaits- their second album and now we are starting to see the direction these guys are going in. One thing I have to say about it is that the songs seem longer than your average Slayer song but they are a bit more refined. However, sound wise, it sounds a lot like Show No Mercy. The songs on this album are heavier especially the title track. One thing I noticed is that Tom does that scream that you hear in Angel of Death a lot. So it didn’t start with that song. I mean it’s one of the heaviest riffs in their catalogue and is so good live. A strong effort and this would be the last album on Metal Blade records. Overall 7.5/10
Standouts: At Dawn They Sleep, Praise of Death, Necrophiliac
Reign in Blood- easily their most popular album. This album is about as metal as it gets and it’s been so influential to so many other bands. I mean the opening song Angel of Death is about Nazis and from there it’s non stop. A definite 8.5/10
Standouts: Jesus Saves, Aggressive Perfector, Epidemic
South of Heaven- I must admit when I first bought this album I didn’t like it at first. But as time went on I grew to love it and think it’s a very worthy follow up to reign in blood Kerry king says it’s slower than reign in Blood and yes it is slow but it’s the perfect follow up to an amazing record. It’s part of the trilogy of classics from them that be reign, south, and seasons. A solid 9/10
Standouts: Silent Scream, Spill the Blood, Read Between the Lies
Seasons in the Abyss-the last of the classic trilogy. Out of the classic three, this one I feel is the most diverse. It has slower and faster songs a good mix of the previous too. Plus this came out in 1990 along with Megadeth’s Rust in Peace and Anthrax’s Persistence of Time and was the record they toured with on the Clash of the Titans tour. Honestly if you are just getting into Slayer the this one or the pervious 2 are a good start. I was lucky enough to see them play this album from start to finish 2 times and both times were badass. Sad,y, this would be the last album with Dave Lombardo. A solid 9.5/10
Standouts: Born of Fire, Dead Skin Mask, War Ensemble
Divine Intervention- the opening song on this establishes how badass this one is. Definitely a more punk meets thrash metal sound in this record and to me it’s one of the few that I can listen to all the way through with out skipping any songs. I’ve said it before that this is such an underrated album and more people should give this one a listen. Some will say the production is not as good as before and yes the production is different but I think it’s fine. This one is also the first to feature Paul Bostaph on drums and I think he is a fantastic drummer. However, I’d love to hear Dave on this one. I think either Tom or Kerry even said they wished they had paid more attention to this one. I really wish they’d have played more songs off this record before they retired. Either way it’s my personal favorite album from Slayer which is why I give this one a perfect 10/10.
Standouts: Sex.Murder.Art., Mind Control, Serenity in Murder
Undisputed Attitude- it’s a punk covers album. I suppose everyone has to have one in their catalog. It’s a good take on punk songs which I’m guessing was Jeff’s idea. Overall a fun album with only one original song that being Gemini. I believe that for a brief period, Paul Bostaph left the band and was replaced by Jon Dette. This is also the album that they were touring for during the very first Ozzfest. Is it essential listening for Slayer fans? No not really. Is it good? Absolutely. Should they have played at least one punk cover for their last show? Yes absolutely. I give it a 8/10
Standouts: Mr. Freeze, Gemini, Guilty of Being White
Diabolus In Musica- let me start off by saying that I love this record. I know a lot of people don’t and call it Nü Metal but I don’t get that sense. Never did probably never will and I’m fine with that. It’s punky, thrashy, and a little weird but that’s it’s appeal to me. Some call it their St. Anger or Risk to which I say have you listened to those two albums? Anyway, Paul is back on drums and he does a great job. One thing that stands out on this one is that you can hear Tom’s bass playing a little bit. I give it 8/10
Standouts- Bitter Peace, Point, Screaming From the Sky
God Hates Us All- my second favorite Slayer record ever. This album is one of those where I can listen to all the way and not get tired. I don’t care what anyone says I love this record. The lyrics are bound to piss off snowflakes and the album title is so fucking cool. Tom Araya said that’s why they picked that name too. Oddly this one was released on 9/11 and yes I tried to buy it but couldn’t because Warehouse pulled it from the shelves because of the song names. Great record from start to finish. A perfect 10/10
Standouts- War Zone, Exile, Payback, (bonus) Scarstruck
Christ Illusion- ah yes the follow up,to God Hates All. Lombardo is back on drums and it’s 2006 a mere 5 years since the last album. I know I was pumped for this one and when it came out I was hooked. Sadly, I’d say that up until now, the more I listened to it the less interested I was in it. Now that’s not to say that it’s a terrible or bad record by any means it’s actually quite good. I just think that personally I listened to it too much and got tired of it. I feel as if a lot of the songs are forced like they’re trying to top the last album. I give it 7/10
Standouts- Flesh Storm, Jihad, Final Six
World Painted Blood- This one I actually really liked in fact I like it better than Christ Illusion. The songs feel more punky which really shows that Jeff and Tom are in fact the better song writers of this band. Some songs are slower but the faster ones are awesome and brutal. Tom’s vocals are a little more angry as well. Sadly this would be Jeff Hanneman’s last record before his death (RIP) as well as Dave’s last record. I give it a 8.5/10
Standouts: Unit 731, Americon, Snuff
Repentless- what can I say it’s a Slayer record. It’s their last record ever. Obviously with Jeff gone, the main song writing went to Kerry King and it shows. This to me sounds like a Kerry King record more than a Slayer record. Tom even sounds tired on some songs. Dave has once again been replaced with Paul and he does a fine job. The solos however are done by Gary Holt (Exodus) and the fact that you have one of the best guitar players on your album not writing is such a missed and wasted opportunity. This is not a terrible album by any means but it’s not their best. Coming in at a 6.5/10
Standouts- Piano Wire, Take Control, When the Stillness Comes
At the end of the day it’s Slayer and musically they can do no wrong. They are one of the greatest bands ever and whether you like them or not you can not deny their influence. Their songs are evil, satanic, and aggressive and will most likely piss off the most sensitive of snowflakes and for that we thank them. I do feel that they retired at the top of their game and are not going to just go through the motions and feel lucky to have seen them so many times especially at their last 2 concerts ever. Some have said just replace Tom Araya but you can’t do that. Overall, this is one of the best bands ever and thankfully we will always have their music. Below is that article I mentioned earlier.
Rankings:
- Divine Intervention
- God Hates Us All
- Seasons in the Abyss
- South of Heaven
- Reign in Blood
- Hell Awaits
- Diabolus in Musica
- Undisputed Attitude
- Show No Mercy
- World Painted Blood
- Christ Illusion
- Repentless
Sinister Reviews 