Slayer
Reign in Blood

Release Date: 1986 | Tracklist

Metal was never the same after Reign In Blood. Released in 1986, this was American thrash metal band Slayer's third studio album, and its contribution to the metal scene in general is legendary. In the aftermath of this landmark masterpiece, more and more bands attempted to push the envelope in terms of graphic imagery, aggressive drumming, and an overwhelming intensity that was first found by many here. Taking the rapid drumming, fast tremolo picking, and screeching solos blueprint of their preceding album, Slayer threw the kitchen sink at this album and in doing so created something truly revolutionary.

Slayer's sound is one so distinct that it can still be picked out thirty-five years later, despite the countless clones and similar acts out there. Opener Angel Of Death throws the gaunlet down in emphatic fashion, becoming one of the band's signature songs with the lengthy high-pitched shriek from vocalist Tom Araya and the slickness with which the band transition from playing at high speeds into the groovy mid-paced pull-offs in the bridge section. Notorious for its gruesome lyrics depicting the horrors of the concentration camps, these serve to further enhance the frenetic maelstrom by giving it an authentic, evil feel to it that only continues as the album progresses. Piece By Piece takes twenty seconds to build up before exploding into the typical 200bpm-plus tempos of this album, something only added to even further by the sub-two minute Necrophobic. This opening trio of songs lay out the band's mission statement plainly, attempting to go faster and heavier than anything that had been heard until that point, and the songs still hold up remarkably well to this day.

Altar Of Sacrifice is one of the standouts here, with its memorable verse riffs and the excellent bridge, where Tom Araya leaves a vocal note to ring out whilst the band swiftly change tempo. Moments such as this and the central section of Angel Of Death show this album off to be one that does not rely wholly upon its crushing speed, and they further enhance the quicker bulk of the record. If the whole album were just tremolo picked notes leading into a power chord and then a rinse-and-repeat format, it would be utterly forgettable, but by having those slower and catchier sections scattered throughout, each song has something unique to remember. The closing duo of Postmortem and Raining Blood segue so well that they could almost be considered one song, separated only by the ominous beating of the drum kit. The former spends much of its runtime meandering through numerous mid-paced riffs, before unleashing a flurry of the fastest riffs and vocals heard on the album. Raining Blood, however, is a different beast entirely. The first section of this song is entirely mid-paced, with two extremely memorable riffs and another riff that remixes the first one. The second half of the track is far quicker, and eventually descends into the chaos that passes for a Slayer guitar solo. This is one of the defining songs of its genre and era, and is probably the best introduction to the band overall.

Reign In Blood is not an album to be dismissed. This album completely deserves its reputation and legacy, and can either be a gateway into heavier music for the uninitiated, or a regular listen for those who love thrash metal. It is almost unmatched in its brilliance, and remains as relevant today as ever.

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