SLAYER — Show No Mercy (review)

SLAYER — Show No Mercy album cover Album · 1983 · Thrash Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
2/5 ·
martindavey87
There was a time in my early teens when I was really into Slayer. I'd just gotten into rock and metal via Kiss, Metallica and Megadeth, and was craving anything heavy, and nothing was heavier to 15 year-old me than Slayer!

But that was in 2002, and while I quickly outgrew my foray into thrash metal, I remained loyal to a lot of the bands. Of what is known as the "big four", Metallica, Megadeth and Anthrax stayed with me as my musical tastes evolved and ventured to pastures new. But there was one band that got left behind very easily, and it's time to become reacquainted with them; Slayer,

Released in 1983, 'Show No Mercy' is Slayer's debut album, and much like all the other early thrash releases, it's raw and aggressive, but very unpolished and lacking anything truly memorable other than it's penchant for playing fast. There's not really much going on save for a song or two, with the riffs being fairly bland, typical 80's thrash riffs and Tom Araya's vocals not really suiting the music either. A weird combination of shouting and talking that just sits there but doesn't really do anything for me.

The musicianship is fine. Nothing to celebrate or shout about, but the early makings of one of metal's most beloved bands is certainly there. Guitarists Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman are certainly competent at keeping up with each other and all the other thrash metal bands of the day, and drummer Dave Lombardo is able to keep the tempo up throughout.

Admittedly, there is one song I like, and that's 'Tormentor'. It has a cool NWOBHM vibe to it, with some very nice riffs that are hindered by Araya's lacklustre vocal delivery. There's worse debuts out there, but I'm not a fan of 'Show No Mercy', and hearing it now, it makes me wonder how Slayer were ever considered a part of the big four to begin with.
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Unitron wrote:
more than 2 years ago
I used to not like this album much either, but I've grown to really enjoy it. Die By the Sword is a classic. Haunting the Chapel will always kick its ass though.
martindavey87 wrote:
more than 2 years ago
I don't think I really like a lot of Slayer's stuff until Seasons in the Abyss and onwards. Although it's been 15 years since I've really listened to them properly so will have to see.
UMUR wrote:
more than 2 years ago
I never enjoyed it much either (and I´m a huge Slayer fanboy). I much prefer the "live" versions of some of the songs on Live Undead.
Vim Fuego wrote:
more than 2 years ago
Blasphemer!!!! :D No, I can fully understand why this isn't as well loved as much of the older Slayer material. A very fair summation.

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