SOUTH OF HEAVEN is the fourth studio album by the American thrash metal band Slayer. Released on July 5, 1988, the album was the band's second collaboration with record producer Rick Rubin, whose production skills on Slayer's previous album REIGN IN BLOOD had helped the band's sound evolve.
SOUTH OF HEAVEN was Slayer's second album to enter the Billboard 200, and its last to be released by Def Jam Recordings, although the album became an American Recordings album after Rick Rubin ended his partnership with Russell Simmons. It was one of only two Def Jam titles to be distributed by Geffen Records through Warner Bros. Records because of original distributor Columbia Records's refusal to release work by the band. The release peaked at number 57 and in 1992 was awarded a gold certification by the Recording Industry Association of America.
The twin-guitar team of Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman is again well equipped with an arsenal of killer riffs, while drummer Dave Lombardo shows why many consider him to be one of metal's all-time best. In the past, Araya penned lyrics that dealt with such controversial topics as Nazism (REIGN IN BLOOD's "Angel of Death") and serial killers (SEASONS IN THE ABYSS's "Dead Skin Mask"). Araya continues the trend on SOUTH OF HEAVEN with "Silent Scream," a track about abortion. Other gory tracks include the grinding title track, "Mandatory Suicide," and a cover of Judas Priest's "Dissident Aggressor."
With 1986's REIGN IN BLOOD, Slayer reached the pinnacle of its rapid-fire, speed metal style. On SOUTH OF HEAVEN, instead of embracing its hardcore roots even further, the band retraced its metal influences, namely Black Sabbath. Album surprised many fans because it contained several deliberately slowed down, mid-paced, dirge-like compositions, with a band utilizing undistorted guitars and toned-down vocals that spotlighted metal's crunch over punk's reckless energy. While some critics praised this musical change, others — more accustomed to the style of earlier releases — were disappointed. Despite this, the songs "Mandatory Suicide" and the title track became permanent features of the band's live setlist.
Slayer: Tom Araya (vocals, bass); Jeff hanneman, Kerry King (guitar); Dave Lombardo (drums).
Recorded in Los Angeles, California. Produced by Rick Rubin & Slayer.
Track Listing:
1. South of Heaven - 4:58 2. Silent Scream - 3:06 3. Live Undead - 3:50 4. Behind the Crooked Cross - 3:14 5. Mandatory Suicide - 4:05 6. Ghosts of War - 3:53 7. Read Between the Lies - 3:20 8. Cleanse the Soul - 3:01 9. Dissident Aggressor - 2:35 10. Spill the Blood - 4:49
South Of Heaven (1988) (DEF JAM)
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Album Description:
SOUTH OF HEAVEN is the fourth studio album by the American thrash metal band Slayer. Released on July 5, 1988, the album was the band's second collaboration with record producer Rick Rubin, whose production skills on Slayer's previous album REIGN IN BLOOD had helped the band's sound evolve.
SOUTH OF HEAVEN was Slayer's second album to enter the Billboard 200, and its last to be released by Def Jam Recordings, although the album became an American Recordings album after Rick Rubin ended his partnership with Russell Simmons. It was one of only two Def Jam titles to be distributed by Geffen Records through Warner Bros. Records because of original distributor Columbia Records's refusal to release work by the band. The release peaked at number 57 and in 1992 was awarded a gold certification by the Recording Industry Association of America.
The twin-guitar team of Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman is again well equipped with an arsenal of killer riffs, while drummer Dave Lombardo shows why many consider him to be one of metal's all-time best. In the past, Araya penned lyrics that dealt with such controversial topics as Nazism (REIGN IN BLOOD's "Angel of Death") and serial killers (SEASONS IN THE ABYSS's "Dead Skin Mask"). Araya continues the trend on SOUTH OF HEAVEN with "Silent Scream," a track about abortion. Other gory tracks include the grinding title track, "Mandatory Suicide," and a cover of Judas Priest's "Dissident Aggressor."
With 1986's REIGN IN BLOOD, Slayer reached the pinnacle of its rapid-fire, speed metal style. On SOUTH OF HEAVEN, instead of embracing its hardcore roots even further, the band retraced its metal influences, namely Black Sabbath. Album surprised many fans because it contained several deliberately slowed down, mid-paced, dirge-like compositions, with a band utilizing undistorted guitars and toned-down vocals that spotlighted metal's crunch over punk's reckless energy. While some critics praised this musical change, others — more accustomed to the style of earlier releases — were disappointed. Despite this, the songs "Mandatory Suicide" and the title track became permanent features of the band's live setlist.
Slayer: Tom Araya (vocals, bass); Jeff hanneman, Kerry King (guitar); Dave Lombardo (drums).
Recorded in Los Angeles, California.
Produced by Rick Rubin & Slayer.
Track Listing:
1. South of Heaven - 4:58
2. Silent Scream - 3:06
3. Live Undead - 3:50
4. Behind the Crooked Cross - 3:14
5. Mandatory Suicide - 4:05
6. Ghosts of War - 3:53
7. Read Between the Lies - 3:20
8. Cleanse the Soul - 3:01
9. Dissident Aggressor - 2:35
10. Spill the Blood - 4:49