SLAYER - stub review added 3rd December 2008
Album Review: South Of Heaven (1988)
For fans of: thrash metal... and drum beats that eat flesh
South Of Heaven was a difficult release for Slayer. They had just been turned into demigods after unleashing Reign In Blood, so chances were whatever they did wouldn't compare and they would be panned by critics.
Fortunately, this was a band on form. From those infinitely memorable first bars of the title track this was an album that wasn't going to let its forebear overshadow it. They didn't stop there either. 'Mandatory Suicide', 'Ghosts Of War' and the almost funk style of 'Dissident Aggressor' helped this become a more complete release.
The songs may not have been as angry as before, but they were more technical, more accessible and a darn sight better produced. Reign In Blood may take the headlines, but this is the greater album.
Check out... Those amazing drums in 'Live Undead'. Somebody give Dave Lombardo some blister cream. Possibly.
Track List:
1. South of Heaven
2. Silent Scream
3. Live Undead
4. Behind The Crooked Cross
5. Mandatory Suicide
6. Ghosts of War
7. Read Between The Lines
8. Cleanse The Soul
9. Dissident Aggressor
10. Spill The Blood
Label: American Recordings
Artist's websites: Slayer , MySpace
