Slayer - South Of Heaven (#5541)

metalgod · **Joined:** Thu Sep 16, 2004 12:50 am **Posts:** 5515

You're welcome to comment on:

Quote:

Slayer - South Of Heaven
Thrash Metal
Quoted: CLASSIC

Click here to see the review.

Seinfeld26 · **Posted:** Mon Jul 27, 2009 7:32 pm

Uncanny: I actually listened to this album just this morning!

Anyway, this review is spot-on. This album was basically Slayer's version of Pinkerton. It was somewhat panned upon release for its "different" sound, but gradually gained popularity as time went on and is now considered to be one of Slayer's best albums. And I certainly wouldn't disagree with that. Both this and Reign In Blood stand with And Justice For All as my three favorite thrash albums of the 80's (no, I don't consider 1990 to be part of the 80's :cool:

).

I always saw this as Slayer's most experimental record. Needless to reiterate, after the thrash assault of RIB, Slayer decided to experiment with slower tempos and more groove on SOH. They would then combine and perfect the two album styles on 1990's Seasons In The Abyss. But on this album, it seems Slayer was still trying to get comfortable with the latter style, so it has a definite "trial-and-error" sound IMO. With Spill The Blood being probably the closest the band ever got to a ballad (yeah, I know "Slayer" and "ballad" aren't exactly two words that should go together). That, of course, doesn't at all detract from its quality. It's just a personal observation.

Goat · **Posted:** Mon Jul 27, 2009 7:34 pm

Good review! I'd have given a whole paragraph to Mandatory Suicide, one of my favourite Slayer songs, but otherwise agreed, kickass album. Going to put it one when this Bal-Sagoth is done.

Afro_D-Shak · **Posted:** Mon Jul 27, 2009 7:35 pm

Seinfeld26 wrote:

Uncanny: I actually listened to this album just this morning!

Anyway, this review is spot-on. From what I've read (I didn't buy this album until around August, 2001), this album was sort of Slayer's Pinkerton. It was somewhat panned upon release but gradually gained popularity as time went on. It's now seen almost unanimously as one of Slayer's best albums. And I certainly wouldn't disagree. Both this and Reign In Blood stand with And Justice For All as my three favorite thrash albums of the 80's (no, I don't consider 1990 to be part of the 80's :cool:

).

I always saw this as Slayer's most experimental record. After the thrash assault of Reign In Blood, Slayer decided to experiment with slower tempos and more groove. They would then combine and perfect the two album styles on 1990's Seasons In The Abyss. But on this album, it seems Slayer was still trying to get comfortable with the whole style, so it has a definite "trial-and-error" sound IMO. With Spill The Blood being probably the closest the band ever got to a ballad (yeah, I know "Slayer" and "ballad" aren't exactly two words that should go together). That, of course, doesn't at all detract from its quality. It's just a personal observation.

I actually think that the experimentation works extremely well, and that this album is amazingly good considering that this is the first time Slayer ever did something like this.

I like Seasons In The Abyss, but I don't think it's as great as everyone says it is. A good album for sure, but South Of Heaven will always be number one in my book. :dio:

Seinfeld26 · **Posted:** Mon Jul 27, 2009 7:37 pm

Afro_D-Shak wrote:

I actually think that the experimentation works extremely well, and that this album is amazingly good considering that this is the first time Slayer ever did something like this.

It does work extremely well. Hence the fact that this is one of my Top 3 80's thrashers. I just think it's worth noting when discussing this album, since it's such an important part of Slayer's musical evolution.

Also, a note: I modified my OP a little before your replied to it. :wink:

Afro_D-Shak · **Posted:** Mon Jul 27, 2009 7:42 pm

Seinfeld26 wrote:

Afro_D-Shak wrote:

I actually think that the experimentation works extremely well, and that this album is amazingly good considering that this is the first time Slayer ever did something like this.

It does work extremely well. Hence the fact that this is one of my Top 3 80's thrashers. I just think it's worth noting when discussing this album, since it's such an important part of Slayer's musical evolution.

Also, a note: I modified my OP a little before your replied to it. :wink:

Absolutely. I don't entirely agree with the "Trail and error" sound you hear, but then again, you've had this album much longer than I have.

Lucifer's Son · **Joined:** Mon Jan 05, 2009 9:52 pm **Posts:** 2016

NOW, that's a TRUE CLASSIC! :dio:

ganeshaRules · **Posted:** Mon Jul 27, 2009 8:59 pm

Lucifer's Son wrote:

NOW, that's a TRUE CLASSIC! :dio:

Yes, I think almost all agree in this one.

Thomas · **Posted:** Mon Jul 27, 2009 9:00 pm

No-one will deny this album's classic status even though I personally enjoy earlier Slayer much more.

Karmakosmonaut · **Posted:** Mon Jul 27, 2009 9:10 pm

I prefer Seasons to this, but this is still a fantastic effort, easily my favourite mid-pace thrash album. I agree with most of the review, but Slayer's coming of age in lyrical respects on this album should've been mentioned. Two words: Silent Scream.

Thy Serpent · **Posted:** Mon Jul 27, 2009 9:37 pm

Quote:

"Let’s face it: If you’re reading this, you already own this album, unless you simply don't like Slayer"

A contradiction here. I don't own this album and I like Slayer

Nicely done review by the way. I have heard some people criticise this album cos of its apparent mellowness. The moment I read that, I knew I had to get it cos I had a vague idea of what it would sound like and this review gives me a much better idea. Coincidentally, I just placed a request for this album.

The_Voice · **Posted:** Tue Jul 28, 2009 12:09 am

Better than Reign In Blood IMO and i think you guys are making a big deal about the "expereimentation" thing like if they suddenly started playing Jazz or something, so some songs were slower big deal, the riffs were as good as ever, with that said i still think their first two albums are their best.

cry of the banshee · **Posted:** Tue Jul 28, 2009 1:33 am

Their last good album, as far as I'm concerned.
I agree with The Voice that this is way better than Reign In Blood (RIB never did anything for me, somehow).

Lucifer's Son · **Joined:** Mon Jan 05, 2009 9:52 pm **Posts:** 2016

You're being hard on SitA, not as good as SoH but pretty close.

cry of the banshee · **Posted:** Tue Jul 28, 2009 1:55 am

Lucifer's Son wrote:

You're being hard on SitA, not as good as SoH but pretty close.

I don't know; it has good writing / playing, but something's missing. It sounds too sterile, or something.

Lucifer's Son · **Joined:** Mon Jan 05, 2009 9:52 pm **Posts:** 2016

cry of the banshee wrote:

Lucifer's Son wrote:

You're being hard on SitA, not as good as SoH but pretty close.

I don't know; it has good writing / playing, but something's missing. It sounds too sterile, or something.

Blame it on Rick Rubin. The man's considered a production wizard or something but he isn't worth licking the floor on which George Martin or Bob Ezrin have stepped.

Afro_D-Shak · **Posted:** Tue Jul 28, 2009 2:04 am

cry of the banshee wrote:

I don't know; it has good writing / playing, but something's missing. It sounds too sterile, or something.

I completely agree.

cry of the banshee · **Posted:** Tue Jul 28, 2009 7:33 am

Lucifer's Son wrote:

cry of the banshee wrote:

Lucifer's Son wrote:

You're being hard on SitA, not as good as SoH but pretty close.

I don't know; it has good writing / playing, but something's missing. It sounds too sterile, or something.

Blame it on Rick Rubin. The man's considered a production wizard or something but he isn't worth licking the floor on which George Martin or Bob Ezrin have stepped.

1) That explains it
2) I concur

Metalhead_Bastard · **Posted:** Tue Jul 28, 2009 12:19 pm

Fantastic album.

Seinfeld26 · **Posted:** Tue Jul 28, 2009 12:33 pm

Karmakosmonaut wrote:

I prefer Seasons to this, but this is still a fantastic effort, easily my favourite mid-pace thrash album. I agree with most of the review, but Slayer's coming of age in lyrical respects on this album should've been mentioned. Two words: Silent Scream.

That may be due in part to Tom Araya's input. Until this album, King and Hanneman almost exclusively wrote all of Slayer's lyrics. On this album, however, Tom was finally given more lyrical writing duties. And there's definitely a noticeable difference both thematically and stylistically between his lyrics and his bandmates' lyrics.

I would've also mentioned the album's rather unusual production, where the drums are mixed higher than probably any other instrument.

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Slayer - South Of Heaven (#5541)

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