SLAYER — Hell Awaits (review)

SLAYER — Hell Awaits album cover Album · 1985 · Thrash Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
1/5 ·
martindavey87
In today's edition of Bash-a-Classic, I'm looking at 'Hell Awaits', album number two for Slayer, and I'm still struggling to see what made them stand out amongst all the other thrash metal bands of the 80's.

One of the notable differences between Slayer and the other members of the Big Four of thrash (Metallica, Megadeth and Anthrax) is that Slayer's music is much less melody-based, focusing more on raw aggression and darker themes. Unfortunately, the lack of melody, in both the guitar riffs and the vocals, makes it harder for any songs to really stick in my head.

While bands like Metallica and Anthrax were already utilizing plenty of vocal hooks and memorable guitar lines, 'Hell Awaits' is a barrage of mind-numbingly boring riffs that fail to do anything other than show off Slayer's penchant for sheer speed and wailing guitar solos that go absolutely nowhere. Tom Araya's vocal style, a weird combination of angry talking and shouting, doesn't produce anything catchy, with literally every single song on this album sounding identical to the last.

Despite repeated listens, I just can't get into this album. I know Slayer are one of metals most beloved bands, and in fairness they will go on to produce some great material, but damn, these earlier releases are just brutal, and not in the good way.
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MrMan2000 wrote:
more than 2 years ago
Hmm... As an 80s metal-head in HS / college when my friends tried playing Slayer for me my reaction was exactly what you describe.

I've never really paid much attention to Slayer since but have recently listened to some of their songs and find I'm liking them. Will definitely check this album out at some point and see if my reaction is the same as it was....nearly 40 years ago (damn).
siLLy puPPy wrote:
more than 2 years ago
I love this album. It achieves exactly what it's aiming for and i personally love that style of filthy raw metal
voila_la_scorie wrote:
more than 2 years ago
This is my favourite Slayer album. I like the longer tracks and changes between fast and slow tempos. I bought it last autumn on CD finally after having sold off the cassette back in 1991. I was surprised to notice all the blood/flesh/death/corpse lyrics now. It's perhaps no surprise that many thrash-turned-death metal bands cite Slayer as a big influence. That's what I think separates them from the other three of the Big Four: Slayer were inventing concepts for death metal.

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