LAist: Classic LA Albums Vol. 1: Slayer - "Reign In Blood"

(C)

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 20:40:33 -0800

Tyson - I used "Speed Metal" to try to get at a lot more people. If you aren't part of the hard rock community, you probably don't know WTF black metal is. You make an absolutely valid point, though, so to the rest of you out there who are into hard rock, you know what's up. I don't agree with the Rick Ruben thing. The first two records are amazing. I love them both, but I love Reign In Blood and South of Heaven even more, despite the fact that a lot of people hate South of Heaven. If you hear the opening riff of the title track and don't get chills down your spine, then you probably aren't breathing. I love that there are other hardcore heads reading LAist. It gives me faith that I am hitting the right peeps who get something from the site that they would not typically expect. Respect. ©

Tyson

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 18:03:19 -0800

I LOVE THIS ALBUM. I'd have to say it wouldn't be too much of a stretch to call it one of the finest Black Metal offerings ever (don't even SAY "Speed Metal"). I grew up to this during my very fucked-up and formative years, yet I don't blame Slayer. The only thing I do blame them for was bringing in Rick Rubin, who turned the band into trash. Hell Awaits is pretty badass too, elevating Slayer into the noble pantheon of Black Metal greats such as Venom, Black Sabbath, and... Celtic Frost. There, I said it.

(C)

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 14:10:04 -0800

Greg - Yeah the Rick Rubin production was definitely key. I didn't know about the vinyl version having a loop of rain after Raining Blood. That's pretty awesome. The version I was weened on was a cassette - remember those things? There's a format that sucked! Glad to see so much love for Reign In Blood. I know I am not really breaking any new new ground by stating that this is such a landmark record, but it's so good that I didn't think it would hurt to remind people. Writing this piece also gave me the opportunity to listen to the album about a dozen times over the course of the last few days, which was great. You have to love an album that you can just stick on repeat and listen over and over again.

Greg

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 13:16:57 -0800

Incredible record. You didn't mention that the LP version has an endless groove of the sound of rain at the end of "Raining Blood." Classic. Or that Rick Rubin produced it. In my senior year of high shchool when I was very alienated I used to walk around with this record on full volume on my walkman. I really showed those posers!

Scott Elkin

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 12:56:20 -0800

I can't believe so many people have actually heard this. I unfortunately found this album late, but even as late as last year it is still great.

William

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 12:39:10 -0800

I was partial to Metallica while growing up but my brother was deep in the death/speed/heavy metal scene so I got a fair dose of Slayer. I never understood the attraction to the hair(spray) metal bands. What was so great? They sounded castrated and the music usually blew. Everyone talks about Van Halen and KISS and all this as ushering in a new age of rock...where the hell was the music?! It was all show.

Scott

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 12:25:22 -0800

i had LAist pegged wrong all along. I thought you guys only loved wimpy indie rock copycat type bands that only play in Silver Lake. Didnt know you were down with the devils music.

Marshall

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 11:57:25 -0800

It's one of the best albums ever recorded under the banner of Heavy Metal.

Jimmy

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 11:18:53 -0800

This is definitely one of the classic albums that helped mold me during my adolescence. God bless Slayer.