Written by BitterCOld on 24.03.2008 at 21:14

good review, but a generous score. compared to it's predecessor, i felt the stand-out tracks were better than "South of Heaven's" best, but i also felt the filler tracks were just horribly sub-par for Slayer.

High points - "War Ensemble", "Hallowed Point", "Seasons in the Abyss"

Mediocre - "Blood Red", "Expendable Youth", "Skeletons of Society"

lyrically it's a great album, even if "Temptation" goes on a tangent at the end. I love how "Spirit in Black" calls upon prior Slayer tracks.

All in all i'd give it between an 8 and 8.5. great album, but too many forgettable tracks to hit a 9.

Written by Timelord on 29.06.2008 at 17:11

If I am correct Born of Fire was a hold over from Reign.

Written by AngelOfDisease on 01.03.2009 at 04:37

Well I just listened to this album and I must say that it's pretty boring. It's too slow, and while that is not something necessarilly bad to me, Slayer's slow songs are just boring (except for some like the title track, south of heaven, and the ones from show no mercy). But it still has some really catchy riffs.

Written by ms68 on 05.03.2009 at 19:10

Written by AngelOfDisease on 01.03.2009 at 04:37

Well I just listened to this album and I must say that it's pretty boring. It's too slow, and while that is not something necessarilly bad to me, Slayer's slow songs are just boring (except for some like the title track, south of heaven, and the ones from show no mercy). But it still has some really catchy riffs.

really??for example u find dead skin mask and hallowed point boring?

Written by Stuart on 24.03.2008 at 22:06
The argument about the filler tracks is one I've had many times. For me the tracks you have listed as mediocre are some of my all time favourites, as I said in my review they really have some brilliant drumming. The only slight issue I have with these tracks is that Skeletons of Society and Expendable Youth are too similar, but one could say that this is intentional.

Written by Guib on 25.12.2010 at 01:09

Personally I find it better than Reign In Blood

Written by Vikcen on 25.12.2010 at 02:57

Written by Guib on 25.12.2010 at 01:09

Personally I find it better than Reign In Blood

I go farther =) , personally i find "Christ Illusion" and "World Painted Blood" better than "Reign In Blood", but i prefer before "Reign In Blood" than "Seasons In The Abyss"...

Written by Angelic Storm on 25.12.2010 at 01:28

Written by Stuart on 24.03.2008 at 22:06


Ive always seen "Skeletons Of Society" as a far superior track to "Expendable Youth". The pacing of the songs are similar, but I dont think they really sound the same. For me anyway, "Skeletons..." has always carried a creeping, menacing, vibe. Whereas "Expendable..." just sounds pedestrian and dull to me.

As for the album itself, Ive always seen it as slightly overrated. The first four albums are absolute classics in my eyes, and Seasons for me at least, is when the quality started dipping. There are some truly great songs on the album, like "Dead Skin Mask", "Born Of Fire", and the outright awesome "Spirit In Black". "Expendable Youth" is the only song I really dislike on the album, although "Blood Red" is hardly a classic either. It is a really good album, but I feel its just a shade off the sheer classic status of the preceding 4 albums. xD

Agreed on "Skeletons Of Society" over "Expendable Youth". Though none of them is a great track.


As for albums, I believe the quality started to drop a bit on "South Of Heaven". Maybe not so much musically but as far as production is concerned.
When it comes to Slayer, the only albums I still have in my collection are "Show No Mercy", "Haunting The Chapel" and "Hell Awaits" + "Decade Of Aggression". I like the songs from "South Of Heaven" and "Seasons In The Abyss" when I hear them on "Decade Of Aggression" but I never listen to them on the original album because I hate how the studio versions sound. "South Of Heaven", especially, have vocals I utterly hate. I don't know what Slayer had in mind when they put those weak and almost whiny vocals on the album but they don't fit at all.
As for "Reign In Blood", I like songs from this album when I hear them among other Slayer songs but I don't enjoy listening to the album because of the one-dimensional direction of the record and the absence of variety. Very very little stands out on "Reign In Blood".

Written by RavenKing on 26.12.2010 at 16:03
As for albums, I believe the quality started to drop a bit on "South Of Heaven". Maybe not so much musically but as far as production is concerned.
When it comes to Slayer, the only albums I still have in my collection are "Show No Mercy", "Haunting The Chapel" and "Hell Awaits" + "Decade Of Aggression". I like the songs from "South Of Heaven" and "Seasons In The Abyss" when I hear them on "Decade Of Aggression" but I never listen to them on the original album because I hate how the studio versions sound. "South Of Heaven", especially, have vocals I utterly hate. I don't know what Slayer had in mind when they put those weak and almost whiny vocals on the album but they don't fit at all.
As for "Reign In Blood", I like songs from this album when I hear them among other Slayer songs but I don't enjoy listening to the album because of the one-dimensional direction of the record and the absence of variety. Very very little stands out on "Reign In Blood".

Written by Angelic Storm on 27.12.2010 at 07:32

You have "Decade Of Aggression"? Did you not say you saw live albums as pointless, or am I misquoting you? Sorry if I am.

Written by BLACK FUNERAL on 14.02.2014 at 07:16

copy pasta

Written by deadone on 28.02.2014 at 00:48

I was sad when I saw Slayer live cause Tom Araya's vocals packed it in and they played an instrumental set.

Surely one of the other guys could've sang something....