Album
South Of Heaven
1988 · Rock
56 collectors on Gatefold own this
South Of Heaven is a Metal album by Slayer, originally released in 1988. On Gatefold: 217 pressings tracked, owned by 56 collectors.
About
After breaking the thrash speed barrier with 1986’s <i>Reign in Blood</i>, Slayer had no choice but to slow its roll on <i>South of Heaven</i>. Released in 1988, the album may not have given listeners whiplash, but it’s far more sinister than anything the band recorded prior. Written largely by guitarist Jeff Hanneman, <i>South of Heaven</i> is the only Slayer album on which the band deliberately did something different. As they’ve said in interviews, they knew they couldn’t top <i>Reign in Blood</i> for sheer speed and ferocity. They made up for it with atmospheric malevolence. The title track sets the menacing tone with an evil opening riff before the inevitable plunge into hell—the earthly one. Vocalist Tom Araya describes the descent of mankind (“Chaos rampant, an age of distrust”) in the pre-chorus, but delivers the forgone conclusion in the opening verse: “Before you see the light, you must die!” Wipe away the vocals, and the song is downright cinematic. “South of Heaven” would’ve been a killer soundtrack to <i>Child’s Play</i>, <i>Pumpkinhead</i>, <i>Monkey Shines</i>—or any of the other horror flicks that hit the big screen that year. Drummer Dave Lombardo’s dizzying drums ride high in the mix here, but in no way obscure the sheer unholiness of the guitars. Lyrically, Slayer revisits the horrors of war on “Behind the Crooked Cross,” “Ghosts of War,” and “Mandatory Suicide,” the latter of which also features one of the album’s most diabolical riffs. “Read Between the Lies” continues the band’s anti-religious crusade, while a ripping cover of Judas Priest’s “Dissident Aggressor” pays tribute to guitarist Kerry King’s favorite band. And “Spill the Blood,” the slowest song on the album, spins a tale of demonic possession with Slayer’s first recorded instance of non-distorted guitars. It’s the dawn of their slow-and-sinister era, one that would continue on 1990’s <i>Seasons in the Abyss</i>.
via Apple Music
The Clerk says
The Clerk knows this whole record — the pressing quirks, the credits, the take.
Tracklist
Side A
- A1South Of Heaven5:00
- A2Silent Scream3:02
- A3Live Undead3:51
- A4Behind The Crooked Cross3:12
- A5Mandatory Suicide4:03
Side B
- B1Ghosts Of War3:55
- B2Read Between The Lies3:21
- B3Cleanse The Soul3:01
- B4Dissident Aggressor2:34
- B5Spill The Blood4:48
Sound DNA
- Metal
- Thrash Metal
- heavy
- menacing
- occult
Originally released on 5 July 1988.
The album was the band's second collaboration with producer Rick Rubin, whose production skills on their previous album Reign in Blood (1986) had helped their sound evolve. Given the frenetic pace of Reign in Blood, Slayer wisely made no attempt to top it on South of Heaven; rather, the band offset and complemented Reign in Blood by deliberately slowing the tempo down on South of Heaven, as well as by utilizing undistorted guitars and toned-down vocals.
It was the band's last album released by Def Jam, although the rights were transferred to Rubin's new label Def American Recordings after Rubin ended his partnership with Russell Simmons. The album was one of only two Def Jam titles to be distributed by Geffen Records through Warner Bros., as Def Jam's then-distributor Columbia refused to release work by the band.
South of Heaven became Slayer's second album to enter the Billboard 200, peaking at number 57.
While some critics praised the change in the band's sound, others more accustomed to the style of their earlier efforts were disappointed.
Nonetheless, the songs "Mandatory Suicide" and the title track have since become permanent features of the band's live setlist.
South of Heaven was later certified gold by the RIAA in 1992.
Credits
The people behind it.
Performers
- Dave LombardoDRUM DRUMS
- Jeff HannemanGUITAR LEAD GUITAR LEAD VOCALS
- Kerry KingGUITAR LEAD GUITAR LEAD VOCALS
- Tom ArayaBASS BASS, VOCALS VOCALS
- Judas Priest
56 collectors on Gatefold own this · 217 pressings tracked on Gatefold
Start your shelf.
Track your pressings of South Of Heaven, get the Clerk's take, and see what the record is worth — free.
Start your shelf →Free forever. Works with 10 records or 10,000.