Slayer - Reign In Blood review
| Band: | Slayer |
| Album: | Reign In Blood |
| Style: | Thrash metal |
| Release date: | October 07, 1986 |
| Guest review by: | Mindheist |
01. Angel Of Death
02. Piece By Piece
03. Necrophobic
04. Altar Of Sacrifice
05. Jesus Saves
06. Criminally Insane
07. Reborn
08. Epidemic
09. Postmortem
10. Raining Blood
11. Aggressive Perfector [1998 re-release bonus]
12. Criminally Insane [remix version] [1998 re-release bonus]
For more than a decade, Slayer has proudly fused thrash and speed metal into loud, offering doomish dirges, voraciously boisterous and blasphemous songs groaning over lyrics that depict madness, suicide and murder in excess, a style which should definetly suit a ten-year-old metalhead. On October 7, 1986, Slayer released what was to become their masterpiece, "Reign In Blood". An album discribed by Kerrang! Magazine as "the heaviest album of all time" and peaked at number 22 on Metal Storm's "top 100 albums of all time" survey, a position that only "the crème de la crème" bands could get. Believe me, reviewing a very popular album from a very popular band isn't easy at all, but sometimes justice must be done.
"Reign In Blood" could be summed up in four simple words, strenuous, volatile, asymmetrical and brutal...maybe too brutal. At first I was completely blown away by its amazing structural proficiency, I couldn't get over it. Fortunately, there was a day when I realized that except Metallica, even a band from "the big four" could suck. The answer is pretty clear now, this is a notoriously inconsistent effort.
The journey commences with "Angel Of Death", an impressive opener , built around ultra-fast repetitive thrash riffs followed by... well, rigourous barks and high-pitched growls of Tom Araya, but that's vocally speaking, sure there's nothing inherently bad with it. However, even the most ardent fans of Slayer will admit that the one-dimentional vocals of Mr Araya are probably the thing that should be removed from Reign In Blood. In case you haven't noticed it yet, the singer tries his best to mix things up without resorting to clean vocals, and I don't blame him for that, at least he screams like a man not like Dave Mustaine. Songs like "Raining Blood" and "Angel Of Death" are the album's highlights, despite being too uniformed for some to stomach, they are quite catchy with their crushing guitar riffs and the furiously thunderous drumming. However, in its entirety, the album is not as consistently memorable as "South Of Heaven", but let's make it clear, I've never been a fan of Slayer and if they're going to stick on "Christ Illusion meets Reign In blood" style I won't be, but to be fair, there was a time when I liked Slayer pretty much, I liked Reign In Blood though but not anymore, these guys don't deserve to be a part of "the big four" neither does Megadeth.
In the end of the day, Slayer will always have an audience because their discography is worth picking up, but when it comes to this album here's my advice, listen to it for one year or maybe two and then throw it away. Folks, I give you "the most overrated album of all time"... Reign In Blood.
Guest review disclaimer:
This is a guest review, which means it does not necessarily represent the point of view of the MS Staff.
This is a guest review, which means it does not necessarily represent the point of view of the MS Staff.
Rating:
9.2
9.2
|
Rating: 9.2 |
Where does one begin reviewing an album with as much hype and influence as this? An album branded as revolutionary and with such a fanatical following. It is always going to be a difficult task, so I ask that for a moment we forget the hype surrounding this album and we look at the musical value it holds. Reign in Blood was in many ways a brave new world for Slayer. It had a completely different sound to anything before it; they abandoned all the pretentiousness of the long, drawn out, complex song structures they had experimented with on Haunting the Chapel and Hell Awaits. In this, it was far more accessible, yet they didn't sacrifice any of their integrity or alienate any of their core fan base. Their intention was quite clear, that this was to be the fastest, heaviest, angriest music ever to be unleashed on human ears. Read more ›› |
Rating:
10
10
|
Rating: 10 |
The greatest metal record of all time. This topic is often debated upon in the Metal Kingdom and to most there is no definite answer. A worthy contender for this title is Slayer's 1986 masterpiece, Reign In Blood. Few albums withstand the test of time as well and even fewer have had such a huge impact on the metal world as this one. Read more ›› |
Comments
Comments: 207
Visited by: 695 users
| pdepmcp Posts: 141  |
wow. blasphemy, that's the right word. ok you're quite young and maybe that's the point. this record is 22 years old (older than you...). if you compare it now with newer stuff it may seem lacking in originality...just because this IS the origin! and yes:production 22 years ago was worse than now, either for instruments and for vocals. "even the most ardent fans of Slayer will admit that the one-dimentional vocals of Mr Araya are probably the thing that should be removed from Reign In Blood" is simply false! Araya voice is a great trademark and at that time it was somehow original too. almost all songs on reign in blood are classics...well maybe Reborn is not and I can't recall Epidemic, but this record has at least 6 highlight that are, up to now, some of the most inspired extreme material ever written. If you have thown it away be kind to yourself: go in a shop and buy it again...you won't be disappointed 
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| Marcel Hubregtse Grumpy Old Fuck Elite Posts: 40071  |
I really laughed my head off when reading this review. Okay, everybody is of course entitled to their own opinion. But dismissing this as something not worthwhile is just laughable. Clearly this is written by someone who has no bleeding idea what sort of impact this album had at the time, or eve still has to this day. Not a single thrash album has ever come clos in sheer ferocity and pure unrelented thrashness.
---- Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.) 05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996 
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| Dangerboner Lactation Cnslt Posts: 7262  |
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| LeChron James Helvetesfossen Posts: 3561  |
Written by Dangerboner on 18.08.2008 at 04:22 for real thought. 4.5? what?
---- Kick Ass, Die Young Less is More Stay Pure Stay Poor Music was my life, music brought me to life and music is how I will be remembered long after I leave this life. When I die there will be a final waltz in my head that only I can hear.
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| amerislave Account deleted |
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| thesabbathfan Posts: 410  |
....hm? ....What? WHAT? WWWWHHHHAAAAAT???!??!?! BLASPHEMY! reign in blood |m/
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| Sunioj Posts: 3894  |
Araya's one dimensional vocals, wtf? He's probably at his prime on this album... And I reaallllly don't think South of Heaven is more memorable than this, but oh well, I don't really have that much more to add since I agree with most of the comments here. I just find it weird considering the reviewers viewpoint towards Slayer's discography and this album.
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| Elio Red Nightmare Posts: 4920  |
O.O lol
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| X-Ray Rod Skandino Staff Posts: 18439  |
Written by [user id=34268] on 18.08.2008 at 18:27 Half agree. I like Slayer and there's a lot of reasons to why we can concider Slayer a great band. But yeah, some albums are indeed overrated or is just a matter of tastes. The problem beggings when some kids go around the town and say: Hey, I got the most br00tal shit ever.. I'm tr00!".. Those guys are what makes bands like this ones look bad & overrated IMO. For me Reign in Blood isn't the best album... I prefer Hell Awaits. And about the reviw... I lol'd. It's not necessary to put a stupid review about an album [specially albums like this one] just because you're in your period and got a bad day... : 
---- Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29 Written by Milena on 20.06.2012 at 10:49
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| Warman Erotic Stains Posts: 7695  |
"However, even the most ardent fans of Slayer will admit that the one-dimentional vocals of Mr Araya are probably the thing that should be removed from Reign In Blood." Obviously he just wanna make us mad.
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| Richard Elite Posts: 4862  |
Well, if this was the only Reign In Blood review on Metal Storm, then it wouldn't accurately reflect the opinion of most of its users. However, we already have two very positive reviews of Reign In Blood on Metal Storm, so actually I think it's good to have a negative review of it as well, particularly since it's considered such a 'classic'. An individual shouldn't pretend that they love a certain band or album just because of the majority's opinion!
---- 
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| BitterCOld The Ancient One Admin Posts: 15303  |
everyone is entitled to their own opinion - even if it is a dissenting one. that said, i cannot fathom how someone would score this album a 4.5, though. "these guys don't deserve to be a part of "the big four" neither does Megadeth." wait, another young 'un trying retroactively to re-write history based upon their opinion? take a drink.
---- get the fuck off my lawn. Beer Bug Virus Spotify Playlist crafted by Nikarg and I. Feel free to tune in and add some pertinent metal tunes!
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| Deadsoulman Elite Posts: 8004  |
I don't know where that trend to suddenly find every old influential defining albums/bands overrated comes from, but it is very boring. That put aside, I can understand someone not liking this album, but this review is just a bit over the top. An amusing read though
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| Demonmayonnaise Posts: 362  |
Im pretty young, younger than the guy who wrote the review, but I still appreciate RIB. I wasnt around for its release, so Im not sure what kind of impact it had when it was first released, but I listened to it the first time, and was blown away. Sure there are bands heavier now, but back then, Im sure not very many bands could compete with Slayer.
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| K✞ulu Seeker of Truth Posts: 2574  |
4.5... I don't know about that. You may not like the songwriting, but the production of this album is just amazing. It's probably one of the best-produced albums ever. And the MSv3 rating would be appreciated too. By the way, I really hate mistakes in writing, so I you care enough:
---- Savor what you feel and what you see Things that may not seem important now But may be tomorrow R.I.P. Chuck Schuldiner Satan was a Backstreet Boy
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| Lucas Mr. Noise Elite Posts: 13427  |
I'll hop on the wagon here and say that this review wasn't worth the time it cost reading. Re-examining the old classics to see if they are really worth the raving they get: great initiative, my respect. But if you're going to trash a classic, you need a truckload of arguments, not two or three. Another thing, you bash Megadeth twice for no reason. In a Slayer review? And one last thing: your review and rating do not match. If you ask me, you should rate it around a 6.5 (from what you wrote). You probably did this just to shock.
---- SLUDGE. DOOM. DEATH. Wait, what?  "The reason I'm running for president is because I can't be Bruce Springsteen." - Barack Obama
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| SlaytallicA Lycanthropy Posts: 1261  |
 4.5?? This one make me laugh! It's the same to say that RiB is worst than St. Anger! 
---- One Pound Of Flesh, No More No Less, No Cartilage, No Bones, But Only Flesh...
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| Mindheist No Longer Human Posts: 618  |
Written by K✞ulu on 20.08.2008 at 14:40 Hmmm...Let's begin to say that mistakes are a part of being human and there's nothing to feel ashamed about. Now, know that this review took me 4 hours and I couldn't proofread it myself because I had some stuff to do, my fault, I confess, and I promise you won't see them again...But thanks anyway. Between us, they're not really mistakes, lack of attention that's all ...You wrote "I you care enough", .
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| K✞ulu Seeker of Truth Posts: 2574 |
Written by Mindheist on 21.08.2008 at 02:48 Actually that's as much your fault as it is the fault of the person who proofread your review. Anyway, I pointed those mistakes out just for the sake of pointing them out, so that they may be corrected (although it's hard to do if you are not a staff member). My rule for writing reviews is never to hurry. I always read through my reviews many times before submitting them. Anyway, you are welcome And yeah, I had a typo in that sentence... I am a human being after all, right?
---- Savor what you feel and what you see Things that may not seem important now But may be tomorrow R.I.P. Chuck Schuldiner Satan was a Backstreet Boy
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| Marcel Hubregtse Grumpy Old Fuck Elite Posts: 40071 |
Written by K✞ulu on 21.08.2008 at 10:27 Actually that was my mistake, missing "quiet/quite" a mistake I myself hate  Concerning 10-year-old/ten-year-old, I don't know where you got the idea from that 10-year-old is wrong. Yes, it is not allowed in official documents and other forms of formal writing. But this is a review and reviews are informal. Even something such as "dunno" is allowed in such a text. Call it poetic freedom or whatever.
---- Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.) 05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996
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| K✞ulu Seeker of Truth Posts: 2574 |
Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 21.08.2008 at 11:02 Nonono. That was not a mistake, the mistake was in AN 10-year-old instead of A 10-year-old
---- Savor what you feel and what you see Things that may not seem important now But may be tomorrow R.I.P. Chuck Schuldiner Satan was a Backstreet Boy
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| Marcel Hubregtse Grumpy Old Fuck Elite Posts: 40071 |
Written by K✞ulu on 21.08.2008 at 11:09 Oh my fucking God, I REALLY do need new glasses Well, what can I say? Mea culpa. I think the contents of the review must have put me off... Thank god there weren't any "their/there" or "should have/should of" mistakes I missed.
---- Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.) 05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996
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| K✞ulu Seeker of Truth Posts: 2574 |
Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 21.08.2008 at 11:17 Yeah, those are irritating mistakes. Hate them.
---- Savor what you feel and what you see Things that may not seem important now But may be tomorrow R.I.P. Chuck Schuldiner Satan was a Backstreet Boy
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| Marcel Hubregtse Grumpy Old Fuck Elite Posts: 40071 |
Written by K✞ulu on 21.08.2008 at 11:27 A bit more off-topicness. I actually think that a lot of people think that "should of" is actually right. The only reason I can think of that that mistake has come to be is that people HEAR someone say "should've" which more or less sounds like "should of" The weird thing about that mistake is that is more common amongst Americans/Brits than amongst other people.
---- Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.) 05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996
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| K✞ulu Seeker of Truth Posts: 2574 |
Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 21.08.2008 at 11:34 That's 'cause when you study English as a foreign language it will never come to your mind that "should've" sounds like "should of." But for native speakers they do. That's why they have "thru" instead of "through" and what not. We are really going off topic though 
---- Savor what you feel and what you see Things that may not seem important now But may be tomorrow R.I.P. Chuck Schuldiner Satan was a Backstreet Boy
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| totaliteraliter Posts: 656  |
While I always enjoy people attempting to tear down classics, it helps if you have something interesting to say. Too much "I don't like aspect x of the album" and not enough "why". You really can't raise any interesting points in a little blurb like that if you spend all the time raising points without following them up (not to mention 25% of it is a fluffy intro that doesn't add much). Pretty mediocre.
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| Doc G. Full Grown Hoser Staff Posts: 9723  |
Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 21.08.2008 at 11:34 Nah, I think the most atrocious one I've seen is the double contraction of "shouldntve" as in should not have. Anyways, back to the review. I'll admit I'm the biggest Slayer fan, and I might even go as far as saying this album is a tad bit overrated, but far from 4.5 worthy. Yes, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not everyone should be entitled to a published review if they didn't even really explain that opinion. Judging by this review it seems to me this guy just overplayed the album, everyone has an album like that, where they listen to it so much eventually it makes you ill in the stomach to listen to it again, but after a few months break from it you can usually find enjoyment in it again. Give him a few months I bet he'll like it again.
---- "I got a lot of really good ideas, problem is, most of them suck." - George Carlin
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| Søren Lord of the Mosh Elite Posts: 3318  |
I have to say I think this review RULES! Except it clearly belongs under "Funny Stuff" and not with the legitimate reviews.
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