South of Heaven
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| South of Heaven | ||
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| Studio album by Slayer | ||
| Released | July 5, 1988 | |
| Recorded | Los Angeles, California, 1987 | |
| Genre | Thrash metal | |
| Length | 36:47 | |
| Label | Def Jam Records | |
| Producer(s) | Slayer Rick Rubin |
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| Professional reviews | ||
|---|---|---|
| Slayer chronology | ||
| Reign in Blood (1986) |
South of Heaven (1988) |
Seasons in the Abyss (1990) |
| Back cover | ||
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South of Heaven is an album by thrash metal band Slayer. It was recorded in 1987, and was released in 1988 (see 1988 in music) through Def Jam Records (later rereleased on Rubin's Def American / American Recordings).
This album marked a deliberate departure from Slayer's previous albums, with slower songs, a more melodic vocal style, spoken word vocals on "Mandatory Suicide" and even clean guitars on "Spill The Blood". Slayer have stated that this was the only album that they planned out in advance—they felt that they could not outdo the speed of Reign in Blood.
The album faced vocal opposition by many of their fans, though the album is not a complete departure from their previous sound, featuring songs as fast as any they had previously released, such as the anti-abortion "Silent Scream," which alienated some fans.
The intro to the song "Ghosts of War" is a musical reprise of the end of the song "Chemical Warfare", from the Haunting the Chapel EP, one of their most popular songs among fans and a staple of their live shows.
Contents |
[edit] Track listing
- "South of Heaven" (Araya/Hanneman) – 5:00
- "Silent Scream" (Araya/Hanneman/King) – 3:02
- "Live Undead" (Araya/Hanneman/King) – 3:51
- "Behind the Crooked Cross" (Hanneman) – 3:12
- "Mandatory Suicide" (Araya/Hanneman/King) – 4:03
- "Ghosts of War" (Hanneman/King) – 3:55
- "Read between the Lies" (Araya/Hanneman/King) – 3:21
- "Cleanse the Soul" (Araya/Hanneman/King) – 3:01
- "Dissident Aggressor" (Judas Priest) – 2:34
- "Spill the Blood" (Hanneman) – 4:48
[edit] Credits
- Tom Araya – Bass, Vocals
- Jeff Hanneman – Lead guitars
- Kerry King – Lead guitars
- Dave Lombardo – Drums
- Recorded in Los Angeles, California, USA
- Produced by Rick Rubin and Slayer
- Recorded by Bill Freesh, Peter Kelsey, Andy Wallace, and Steve Ett
- Executive produced by Rick Rubin
- Mixed by Andy Wallace at Newfresh, New York City, USA
- Mastered by Howie Weinberg
- Illustration by Larry Carroll and Howard Schwartzberg
[edit] Miscellanea
- The song "Ghost of War" begins with the ending of "Chemical Warfare" from the Haunting the Chapel EP.
[edit] Chart position
[edit] Album
Billboard (North America)
| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1988 | The Billboard 200 | 57 |
| Slayer |
| Tom Araya | Jeff Hanneman | Kerry King | Dave Lombardo |
| Discography |
|---|
| Albums and extended plays: Show No Mercy | Haunting the Chapel | Hell Awaits | Reign in Blood | South of Heaven | Seasons in the Abyss | Divine Intervention | Undisputed Attitude | Diabolus in Musica | God Hates Us All | Eternal Pyre | Christ Illusion |
| Live albums: Live Undead | Decade of Aggression |
| Compilations: Soundtrack to the Apocalypse |
| Videos and DVDs |
| Live Intrusion | War at the Warfield | Still Reigning |
| Songs |
| Angel of Death | Jesus Saves | Raining Blood | Behind the Crooked Cross | Blood Red | Dead Skin Mask | Seasons in the Abyss | Eyes of the Insane | Jihad |
