1622 - Slayer Repentless 2015

Lombardo out of the band once again due to business differences, but also Jeff Hanneman, the most eccentric of Slayer's songwriters and one of their more prolific, is straight up deceased and not exactly a contract re-negosh away from jumping back on board. Gary Holt (Exodus) has done an unassailably admirable job filling Hanneman's shoes. “Repentless” quickly becomes the best track on the album once the listener is thrash-starved by its remainder.

1345 - Slayer Chemical Warfare 1984

"Haunting the Chapel" is an EP released by the thrash metal band Slayer in 1984 through Metal Blade and Enigma Records. Slayer's previous album "Show No Mercy" had sold over 40,000 copies worldwide and the band were performing the songs "Chemical Warfare" and "Captor of Sin" live, which made producer Brian Slagel want to release an EP. The album was recorded in Hollywood with sound engineer Bill Metoyer, in a studio with no carpet which was a problem while recording the drums. Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo set his drum kit on the concrete and the kit went "all over the place" while playing. Lombardo asked Gene Hoglan to hold his kit together, while recording "Chemical Warfare", with Hoglan thinking, "I hope he does this in one or two takes, because this is rough". Hoglan was coaching Lombardo how to use double-bass drums to improve his drumming ability and speed; Lombardo asserts Hoglan was "an amazing double-bass player even back then". The song describes the mass death and screwed up tactics involved with chemical warfare, and details 'soldiers defeated by death from a smell'. This song is definately a powerful one, and the solos on it are great as well.

1170 - Slayer Silent Scream 1988

"South of Heaven" was recorded in Los Angeles, California with "Reign in Blood" producer Rick Rubin. PopMatters reviewer Adrien Begrand observed that Rubin's production "shoves Lombardo's drumming right up front in the mix". Guitarist Jeff Hanneman has since said that "South of Heaven" was the only album the band members discussed before writing the music. Aware that they "couldn't top Reign in Blood," and that whatever they recorded would be "compared to that album," he believed they "had to slow down," something Slayer had never done on albums before, or since. In "Silent Scream" Lombardo is incredible at the drums, while the guitars are fast as usual, alternating fast solos too.

1128 - Slayer Captor of Sin 1984

The material in the EP "Haunting the Chapel" is a natural extension of "Show No Mercy", and some of the most focused songwriting of their career. "Captor of Sin", regularly featured on the band's live set list, begins with a rock out riff to a messy lead (the Slayer trademark), then busts out a cruel thrash riff under the Satanic lyrics.

778 - Slayer Black Magic 1983

Released at the forefront of the early-'80s thrash movement, "Show No Mercy" proved to be only a small step toward Slayer's domination of the extreme metal scene, basically amounting to a cleaned-up version of black metal stalwarts Venom. Tracks like this glorious "Black Magic" are essential to anyone interested in the roots of extreme metal.

702 - Slayer War Ensemble 1990

"Seasons in the abyss" opens with a full assault on your ears with "War Ensemble" a loud fast angry look at war as a sport. The guitar riffs are fast and furious, and the several solos (usually around 2 per song) show off the great guitar work of Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman.

548 - Slayer Jesus Saves 1986

King at the onset of his Christian bashing, which is still unwavering more than twenty years later. Considering King was only 22 at the time you have to wonder what his purpose in such intense Christian hating was. As Norris asked, 'was he bum raped by a priest at a young age or something'? "Jesus Saves" itself is a blast of speed of course.

478 - Slayer At Dawn They Sleep 1985

When it was released in 1985, Slayer's second full album, "Hell Awaits", seemed to many a nearly impenetrable cacophony of sound. However, it proved to be incredibly ahead of its time instead, and has since been confirmed as a mandatory item in the band's remarkable discography. The mesmerizing "At Dawn They Sleep" is a remarkable hint of their raw energy.

345 - Slayer Seasons in the Abyss 1990

After staking out new territory with the underrated "South of Heaven", Slayer brought back some of the pounding speed of "Reign in Blood" for its third major-label album, "Seasons in the Abyss". Essentially, Seasons fuses its two predecessors, periodically kicking up the midtempo grooves of South of Heaven with manic bursts of aggression. The monumental title track contains some of the best riffs Hanneman and King have ever penned down.

254 - Slayer Hell awaits 1985

When it was released in 1985, Slayer's second album Hell Awaits was a nearly inpenetrable cacophony of sound; however, what may have seemed like pure noise then, only proved to be ahead of its time. Songs like the title track, "At Dawn They Sleep" and "Hardening of the Arteries" show a more technical side of the band rarely seen before (or since), featuring complex arrangements and time changes, but without compromising any speed.

193 - Slayer The Antichrist 1983

Along with Metallica, Slayer were one of the pioneers in thrash metal. The difference is that while Metallica quickly moved into other metal territories, Slayer stayed pretty much where they began. "Show no Mercy" is perhaps their most melodic offering, and involves fast riffing, shouty vocals, and good thrash metal drumming. Although Venom brought out "Welcome to Hell" first, Slayer and Metallica arguably made thrash famous. Adding a load of speed to their nihilistic lyrics, Slayer became a cult favourite with underground metal fans across the globe. "The Antichrist" has an excellent riff, probably some of Slayer´s most melodic solos are found in this song (the first two). Araya´s vocals are excellent, the screamy bit he does "I am the Antichrist!" and the howls are terrific.

123 - Slayer Raining Blood 1986

Original, inspiring, searing and worshipped, "Reign in Blood" is one of the greatest metal album of all time. Manic, hacksaw guitars, monsoons of double-bass drum rolling and from-the-throat barking - all note-perfect and precise - that still smokes the asses of any band playing fast and/or heavy today. "Raining Blood", possesses a red-herring, scorched-earth intro, eerie thunderstorm-and-tom-tom-triplet interlude and one of the most recognizable riffs in metal history. It is a dynamic, explosive and fitting end to a remarkable experience.

74 - Slayer South of Heaven 1988

With its fourth album, Slayer began to slow its tempos without sacrificing an iota of heaviness or incorporating any pop elements. South of Heaven would be Slayer's last album for Def Jam. Drummer Dave Lombardo is the glue that holds the band together, while guitarists Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King throw sharp, angular riffs and psychotic leads on the rhythm structure like barbs on barbed wire. Araya has improved an smoother voice. It just sounds less coarse. The song has a pretty slow tempo for a Slayer song, but it changes up a bit in a few parts. After a few verses and choruses, King takes an amazing guitar solo.

40 - Slayer Angel of Death 1986

"Angel of Death" is the opening track on the American thrash metal band Slayer's 1986 album "Reign in Blood". The lyrics and music were written by Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman and are based on Nazi physician Josef Mengele, who conducted human experiments at the Auschwitz concentration camp during World War II.
"Angel of Death" is the longest track on the album "Reign in Blood", spanning 4:51 minutes, where the total duration of the album is 28 minutes. Hanneman and King deliver their intricate riffs, which offer the few hints of melody on the album, and Araya bursts out his piercing scream, with Lombardo performing at an average of 210 beats per minute.

11 - Slayer Dead Skin Mask 1990

Slayer is known for its musical traits, involving fast tremolo picking, guitar solos, double bass drumming, and shouting vocals. The band's lyrics and album art, which cover topics such as serial killers, Satanism, religion and warfare have generated album bans, delays, lawsuits and strong criticism from religious groups and the public.
Seasons in the Abyss was released on October 9, 1990 and peaked at number 40 on the Billboard 200 album chart, the highest position the Slayer attained at the time. The song "Dead Skin Mask" was inspired on the murders and habits of serial killer Ed Gein.