Reign in Blood is the third studio album by the legendary Thrash Metal Band Slayer. It’s widely considered to be a masterpiece and a cornser stone in the foundation of the genre. I couldn’t agree more. This is the definite Slayer album. There’s not doubt about it at all!
Controversy
There was a bit of controversy about it though. That’s an understatement of course. According to som sources Reign in Blood was refused distribution because of it’s satanic undertones. But accordion to Tom Araya it was just about one song – Angel of Death. It’s a well known fact that this is a song about the infamous Dr Josef Mengele. So, the band was accused of being nazis. The defended they stand of course. Just because a song is about a monster, dosn’t mean you are a monster som singing it. On the contrary I think. We need to enlighten the people of the past so that we won’t repeat humanity’s worst times all over again.
So luckily Reign in Blood found it’s way out on the market. I think the original release missed som logos from record companies and distributor though. And I’m sure that some stores banned it on their own though. Freedom of speech right?
Angel of Death
Angel of Death still remains one of the all time Metal classic to this day and I would lie if I said that it’s not one of the highlight on Reign in Blood. But there are many highlights on this album. In fact, I have to struggle to find a song that’s not among the very best, the creme de la creme of Slayer and Thrash altogether.
Most of the music is written by Jeff Hanneman, some are credited to both Kerry King and Hanneman and only Piece by Piece is written solely by King. It’s kind of the opposite with the lyrics. Most seem to be penned by King, except Angel of Death and Postmortem which is Hanneman’s creations. And, the same goes for the lyrics, there are a few collaborations where both King and Henneman is credited for the lyrics.
I’ve always been biased to Hanneman’s songs and I guess Reign in blood is the album that has cemented this. In all honesty I didn’t realize how much of Kerry King there is on the creative side of this record. Maybe it’s time to reconsider that opinion a little more objectively?
The full playing time clokes in on about 28 minutes. But those 28 minutes are so full of furious energy that I’m not sure if we would have managed more. I think this is the first time where we really hear that classic Slayer sound too. those harmonies that only Slayer uses. Dave Lombardo has developed his playing style and the drum tracks are superb. Tom Araya has found his voice and even if there’s the occasional high pitch scream it’s more of a delivery of lyrics that actual singing from this point onwards.
If there ever was a thrash masterpiece worthy of it’s name – it’s Reign in Blood!
