Slayer - South of Heaven
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Music CD Cover
Artist: SlayerEdition: Music CD
Audio: English (Original Language)
CD Release Date: 2007-07-24
Music Label: Sony Legacy
Product features:
- SLAYER SOUTH OF HEAVEN
- South Of Heaven
- Silent Scream
- Live Undead
- Behind the Crooked Cross
- Mandatory Suicide
- Ghosts Of War
- Read Between the Lines
- Cleanse the Soul
- Dissident Aggressor
- Spill the Blood
Free Music Notes for South of Heaven
Free Music Review: My Top Slayer Pick
Hit: 5 Stars
Since 1981, Slayer has waged an unapologetic campaign across the world: their mission, to create the fastest, heaviest, most brutal music possible. As one of the "Big Four" forefathers of thrash--alongside Anthrax, Megadeth, and Metallica--Slayer set a high standard with 1986's Reign in Blood. The 10-song, 28-minute record is nothing short of a technical marvel, one of metal's premier albums.
SOUTH OF HEAVEN, released in 1988, showcased slower tempos than its predecessor and more "breathing room" for Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman's guitar riffs. This change of pace led, initially, to mixed responses from critics and fans, who envisioned a faster, heavier follow-up to REIGN IN BLOOD. Much of this criticism eventually subsided, and today, vocalist Tom Araya regards SOUTH OF HEAVEN as Slayer's "late bloomer." The album proved to be the most dynamic, diverse album Slayer had released up to that point--not as fast as previous works, but more textural. From the opening track to the end, there is no questioning that the record, albeit slower-paced, is characteristically a Slayer record with its sinister themes and riffs.
Concert mainstays "South of Heaven" and "Mandatory Suicide" reach nearly universal consensus as two of Slayer's best live songs. "Silent Scream" and "Ghosts of War" feature riffs played at breakneck speed; exploding out of the gate, featuring little to no break-downs in the music--just aggressive, fast metal. Judas Priest cover "Dissident Aggressor" comes across as a respectable tribute to one of the founders of British heavy metal; not overdone, but unmistakably Slayer. I am also fond of "Behind the Crooked Cross," with its deceivingly simplistic guitar intro. The album is produced and remastered so that every note, every cymbal crash is heard with resonating clarity--a definite necessity for this style of music.
Many Slayer fans would agree that the band wouldn't reach its creative zenith until 1990's Seasons in the Abyss. I respect both albums immensely, but to me, the underrated SOUTH OF HEAVEN gets the nod for its voyage at the time into virgin territory. Regardless, any fan of metal couldn't go wrong with a purchase of either album--or even better, both. I rate SOUTH OF HEAVEN an emphatic 5 out of 5 stars without hesitation.
South of Heaven Poster
SLAYER SOUTH OF HEAVENHard Rock & Metal Music CDs
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