“Reign In Blood” is Slayer‘s third album, released in October 1986 via Def Jam — and it has gone down in history as one of the most important thrash metal albums of all time. Just 29 minutes long, with ten tracks that don’t let you catch a second breath, it became a reference point for the entire scene and continues to be celebrated — as this year, on its 40th anniversary.
Country: USA
Genre: Thrash Metal
For fans of: Megadeth, Metallica, At the Gates
The listen
“Angel of Death” opens the record with its iconic riff and a story inspired by the doctor of the Nazi concentration camps, while “Raining Blood” is one of the most recognizable tracks in metal history, with its legendary ending. Between them, tracks like “Piece by Piece”, “Necrophobic”, “Postmortem” and “Reborn” continue at the same pace — fast, aggressive, without stopping. Rick Rubin’s production gave their sound a clarity and power unprecedented for the time.
The record’s place in history is undeniable: for many it remains the ultimate example of what thrash metal can do in half an hour, and it influenced countless bands — from At the Gates to the newer generations of the genre. In 2016 it was considered so important that it entered the National Recording Registry of the US Library of Congress, as one of the works that shaped American culture.
There are, of course, different voices too: in a Sputnikmusic review, the writer argues that besides the two big tracks, the rest of the album is “mostly forgotten”, that the 29-minute length leaves the listener feeling something is missing, and that the lyrics and Tom Araya’s voice don’t move him — he prefers records like “South of Heaven” or “Christ Illusion”. A minority view, certainly, but it shows that even the most iconic albums can be heard differently.
However you look at it, “Reign In Blood” remains a landmark record. Slayer are honoring it this year with anniversary concerts for its 40 years — from the shows in Minnesota to their recent live appearance at Rocklahoma.
See also
Slayer: They played the entire “Reign In Blood” at a concert in Minnesota · Slayer: Anniversary live for the 40 years of “Reign In Blood” at Rocklahoma
