Slayer - Hell Awaits

Written by Maco on 19.08.2021 at 05:28

Written by F3ynman on 19.08.2021 at 05:02

What about Pleasure to Kill?

Naaaa this one is more evil.

If you say so...
I'm not a big fan of gore, but since we're talking about "more evil", this is from the first song on Pleasure to Kill:
"Await the death by the blade
Run before it's too late
Await the axe in your back
As the ripping corpse attack
...
At first you see your children die
You wish it was a dream
He eats the heart of your wife
And rips her cunt inside
You know now it's your turn
The others have already died"
I guess it depends on definitions of "evil", "brutal", etc. Hell Awaits is evil, too, but Pleasure to Kill was for me a bit more unsettling... great thrash though either way

Written by F3ynman on 19.08.2021 at 11:48


"Await the death by the blade
Run before it's too late
Await the axe in your back
As the ripping corpse attack
...
At first you see your children die
You wish it was a dream
He eats the heart of your wife
And rips her cunt inside
You know now it's your turn
The others have already died"
I guess it depends on definitions of "evil", "brutal", etc. Hell Awaits is evil, too, but Pleasure to Kill was for me a bit more unsettling.

These lyrics are certainly evil, both these albums are brilliant, and both are evil in their own way.

Pleasure To Kill is more aggressive and heavier, and I think it's sound actually had a major influence on early Death Metal.

Back in it's day, Hell Awaits would of been extremely heavy too, but I think what made it more evil for me was the atmosphere, the opening to Hell Awaits and closing to Hardening Of The arteries especially, and the hypnotic riffs.

Of the two albums I prefer Pleasure To Kill, because I found it more enjoyable, both are great albums though.

Hell Awaits is a good thrash album with great dark atmosphere. My favorite track is At Dawn They Sleep. I also like how the first track starts and the last track ends with the same ominous guitar riff and drum combination.

Great raw rehearsal of the Hell Awaits album! No vocals except for some dialogue of the band members between songs

0:14 --- Kill Again
5:13 --- "Warlock Shit!"
5:22 --- Crypts of Eternity
11:46 --- "How long was that?" "About six, seven minutes"
12:09 --- At Dawn They Sleep
18:55 --- Praise of Death
24:17 --- "That song's pretty short!" "Water break!"
24:27 --- Hell Awaits
29:47 --- "Billy Idol"
29:56 --- Necrophiliac
33:40 --- Hardening of the Arteries

This is actually a very friendly album - every time I turn on "Hell Awaits", I'm greeted with "WELCOME BACK!"

Criminal how this isn't their highest rated album. At Dawn They Sleep is their best song, when he shouts "KILL!!!" more aggressive each time it's in the top 10 moments in metal. Hell Awaits is an amazing opener full of banger riffs. If the vocals were growls and the production was heavier this might count as death metal, especially the riffing.

I got the deluxe black and orange vinyl copy of Hell Awaits. It's on 180 gram vinyl and it sounds killer. This is one of the first Slayer albums I ever heard and I've been a fan ever since. Saw them with Venom in support of this album. Praise of Death is one of my favorites. Actually there all my favorites. Not a bad tune on this album. I gave it a 10. Enough Said.

IMHO this is Slayers weakest 80s release. The one before and the one after are miles better and SoH tops it too.

You find this controversial? I think Divine Intervention and Seasons In The Abyss are also far better and I even put God Hates Us All above Hell Awaits.

It´s a solid Thrash record but nothing special to me.

Written by InfernalOverkill on 06.10.2025 at 17:24

You find this controversial? I think Divine Intervention and Seasons In The Abyss are also far better and I even put God Hates Us All above Hell Awaits.

It´s a solid Thrash record but nothing special to me.

It's not very controversial to put Seasons above this, but I don't particularly rate any of the Slayer albums after that.

I'd take Hell Awaits over Divine Intervention and God Hates Us All every day.

Written by gavdann on 06.10.2025 at 17:59

Written by InfernalOverkill on 06.10.2025 at 17:24

You find this controversial? I think Divine Intervention and Seasons In The Abyss are also far better and I even put God Hates Us All above Hell Awaits.

It´s a solid Thrash record but nothing special to me.

It's not very controversial to put Seasons above this, but I don't particularly rate any of the Slayer albums after that.

I'd take Hell Awaits over Divine Intervention and God Hates Us All every day.

I thought anyone did the same.
oh well...

Written by John_Doe on 06.10.2025 at 19:08

Written by gavdann on 06.10.2025 at 17:59

Written by InfernalOverkill on 06.10.2025 at 17:24

You find this controversial? I think Divine Intervention and Seasons In The Abyss are also far better and I even put God Hates Us All above Hell Awaits.

It´s a solid Thrash record but nothing special to me.

It's not very controversial to put Seasons above this, but I don't particularly rate any of the Slayer albums after that.

I'd take Hell Awaits over Divine Intervention and God Hates Us All every day.

I thought anyone did the same.
oh well...

That´s what I meant with controversial. I have no friend with the same opinion on Slayer. Usally the faves are HA, RIB and SITA. Most of my friends despite everything after SITA. Different taste.

I mean SNM, RIB and DI are three totally different styles from one band.

Written by InfernalOverkill on 06.10.2025 at 19:51

That´s what I meant with controversial. I have no friend with the same opinion on Slayer. Usally the faves are HA, RIB and SITA. Most of my friends despite everything after SITA. Different taste.

I mean SNM, RIB and DI are three totally different styles from one band.

No worries. My favorite Slayer album is South of Heaven, so there you go...
The only post Seasons... album I like is World Painted Blood, which a lot of people seem to dislike.
I got my own hot takes it seems.
I was just surprised you like a later day Slayer album more than an 80s one.

Written by John_Doe on 07.10.2025 at 08:29

Written by InfernalOverkill on 06.10.2025 at 19:51

That´s what I meant with controversial. I have no friend with the same opinion on Slayer. Usally the faves are HA, RIB and SITA. Most of my friends despite everything after SITA. Different taste.

I mean SNM, RIB and DI are three totally different styles from one band.

No worries. My favorite Slayer album is South of Heaven, so there you go...

If I was forced to pick one I would take SOH too.

Written by InfernalOverkill on 06.10.2025 at 19:51

The only post Seasons... album I like is World painted Blood, which a lot of people seem to dislike.
I got my own hot takes it seems.

WPB was okay as are the other releases after GHUA. The only record I don´t listen to is DIM.

Written by InfernalOverkill on 06.10.2025 at 19:51

I was just surprised you like a later day Slayer album more than an 80s one.

Haha, wonder how many times I've heard that plus the following discussion.

Music is always a matter of taste.

EDIT (07.10): Because of our nice conversation (and because I am going through all my vinyl atm) I listened to Hell Awaits again. Could not change my mind. Tends more to 6 then to 8. Show No Mercy was soooo much better. The title track is my favorite here and that would have been the weakest on SNM or RIB.