South Of Heaven

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 interview, 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-choru, but delivers the forgone conclusion in the opening verse: “Before you see the light, you must die!” Wipe away the vocal, 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. .

via Apple Music

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