After the phenomenally successful releases by Thrash Metal legends Slayer, Reign In Blood (1986) and South Of Heaven (1988), the band wisely continued onwards with their musical mission. After various recording sessions throughout 1990 at Hit City West, Hollywood Sound and Record Plant, all studios in Los Angeles, California, this album was released to mostly positive critical reviews. Although Slayer had not really broken any huge musical ground with this release, as it was continuing already established musical themes by the band, this musical release needs to be covered here. At the time, Slayer were: Tom Araya (vocals and bass guitar); Kerry King (guitars); Jeff Hanneman (guitars) and Dave Lombardo (drums). The album was produced by Rick Rubin, Andy Wallace, and Slayer, and the album was released in October 1990. Let’s take a retrospective listen to this album, and we shall hear how it sounds.

War Ensemble begins with some amazing shred guitars and quickly launches into a blistering assault on the senses. It sounds awesome, mindblowing and fantastic. The vocals enter, and this song sounds really invincible throughout. This is heavy, really very heavy. Nonetheless, the chord and melody changes throughout this song do sound fantastic. This music is perfect for those of you out there who are strictly anti-religious and love music that is loud, punchy and top. A squealing guitar solo emerges towards the midsection here which sounds really fantastic. Of course, this music is about war, death and mutilation throughout. A really cool and extreme tune, this is definitely essential Metal Music for those of you who value the dark side of life. The mixture of screamed vocals, squealing guitars and pounding drums makes for a wicked mixture. Nonetheless, this music passes the test for Thrash Metal and other fans of heavy music. A bloodcurdling scream, “War!” is present towards the end, followed by another amazing guitar solo. Very, very sweet. Nonetheless, another really great tune that anyone with a rebellious conscience will enjoy. Really very great. Worth hearing. It ends with some crunchy guitars and heads straight into the next song.

Blood Red leads into it with some more dark riffs and suspenseful drumming. It quickly launches into a typical Slayer sort of song with some amazing and direct-sounding singing and powerful music to accompany it. A really fantastic and powerful tune, this sounds extraordinarily mindblowing. Sure, the music of Slayer is a limited and rather acquired taste, but the sounds are extraordinarily great. The wild and screaming guitars are something else, in the best way possible. Nonetheless, this is a really great listen from start to finish. A powerful and mortal reminder of what life can deliver to one. Cool tune regardless. It leads straight into the next song.

Spirit In Black begins with a slower, yet punchy and driven guitar riff set. Soon enough, the singing and drums enter and this tune sounds invincible. All in all, this sounds extremely good. A winner and a powerfully explicit tune. If Karl Marx is your God and you hate all religions, especially Christianity, this is one of the albums to soundtrack your own life. The drumming in particular is interesting, and the drum rolls throughout are really cool. This is followed by some extremely good guitar solos that sound really legendary. A memorable and powerful song that is awesome, aggressive and impressive, Slayer does its best to scare those who are easily scared by forms of music that are heavy and brutal. The singing and lyrics throughout are fantastic. This is followed by a loud, lively and powerful guitar solo set as the song approaches its end. This will definitely make you smile. Another winner by Slayer. It ends with sustained guitars and a fantastic drum roll, before entering into the next song.

Expendable Youth is a hilarious song title. It begins with some kick drum beats, palm-muted guitar riffing and gong sounds. Soon enough, this enters into a slower piece of music that sounds as though it should be in the Doom video game series. In any case, this is super cool to listen to. The singing throughout is perfect for the music at hand as well and is exciting and captivating. With lyrics about the art of survival and other ongoing events, this does sound genuinely great for what it is. A super cool and interesting listening experience about the death of young people in particular, this is a superb and brilliant tune. The guitar leads throughout are also extremely awesome, and the whole thing sounds absolutely monumental. Some shred-styled guitar solos enter, and this music sounds extremely wonderful. A really very cool tune to listen to and enjoy, this is a story of horror, violence and warfare. A slower tune, but nonetheless, a really excellent listen. This genuinely sounds fantastic throughout. “Death, the only solution!” is hollered, before this finishes after four minutes in length.

Dead Skin Mask begins with a midtempo guitar riff set, verging on feedback, with hi-hats and demonic vocals throughout. This sounds incredibly awesome to listen to, and has the typically satanic and demonic musical feel that you come to expect from Slayer. Metal was only just getting started here. Soon enough, proper vocals enter and this tune comes nicely alive. This is obviously designed to freak out anyone who is very conservative in their tastes and style. In any case, this is once again, absolutely awesome to hear and to listen to. A Grade horror show music. There is a prolonged scream, followed by a set of blisteringly fast guitar solos on this tune. A really awesome listen, all the same. The music here is sensationally good and is very memorable and excellently played throughout. There is a section in the second half with sustained guitars, followed by the main guitar riff and other interesting musical touches, including a gong hit. Nonetheless, this does sound really fantastic, enjoyable and powerful. Worth every single moment, this is a fantastic tune. It begins to wrap up with a child screaming for release, followed by some interesting sustained guitars and percussion. The guitar squeals end this song as it fades out.

Hallowed Point is a shorter song but is amazingly fast and heavy. This is another mindblowing listening experience that is worth every moment of listening throughout. A fantastic, punchy and powerful piece of super heavy Thrash Metal, this does sound extremely well played and amazing throughout. Slayer deserves their musical legendary status right here. This is exactly what you need to play to your family if you want to throw them off. The guitar soloing is excellently played, and absolutely brilliant, too. A joyous listen, perfect for those of you who do not fear death, or anything else for the matter. The riff section in the second half of the song is super cool and sounds absolutely fantastic. A memorable and listenable tune to enjoy, time and time again. Some of the best satanic music ever made is here. Totally great. It leads into the next song.

Skeletons Of Society begins with pounding drums and bass guitar, with a guitar riff to connect it all. A fantastic and suspenseful listening experience from the start, this does sound energetic and enjoyable. An awesome and enlightening song, if you hate God. Nonetheless, this is fantastic music to put a smile on your face, and also to make you laugh at the satanic vibe throughout. There is some great whammy guitar soloing throughout it all, and the music sounds incredibly cool to hear. The guitar work, particularly the soloing is worthy of a medal of sorts. A musical punch-in-the-head, Slayer proves time and time again that they kick the proverbial. Some excellent palm-muted riffing is present in the second half of the song, leading into a glorious guitar solo section. A really awesome listen, even for a slower Slayer tune. The sweep guitar picking throughout is very, very good. A really cool and timeless tune to hear. Nonetheless, this tune is a real winner to listen to. A thunderous and powerful song. The outro is very memorably good.

Temptation is much faster, with some excellent palm-muted guitar riffs. Some call-and-response vocals are present in this song, and the music throughout is really awesome. The music present is best for watching your favourite set of horror films with it playing in the background. All in all, this music sounds incredibly awesome and totally listenable. The power, fury and energy of the music throughout is an absolute winner to listen to. The guitar soloing is definitely worth hearing as well. A really supercharged and hellish listening experience, this music is a real winner for those of you who are on the Darth Vader side of the force. The performances and playing throughout are absolutely amazing, and this music is a real winner. To be tested in life, listen to this music. It ends with guitar riffs and drums that are extremely energetic.

Born Of Fire comes next, and has some psychotic drum rolls and guitars, before entering into a speedy fest of music throughout. Once again, this is a genuinely fantastic and powerful listening experience that sounds absolutely wonderfully insane. A very well-written, assembled and performed tune, with many satanic references throughout. These guys must have been on some good stuff to make such records as these. Regardless, there is some amazing playing and singing throughout this song. A really energetic performance is present, and the guitar soloing in the second half will blow your mind. A really cool listen from start to finish. Worth it all the way.

Seasons in the Abyss begins with some very unorthodox yet heavy guitar riffing that sounds absolutely awesome to listen to. This has some excellent mixtures of guitars, drumming and other sounds. Soon enough, some chiming acoustic/electric guitars and a gong hit enter. This sounds superbly surreal and different. The crunchy Metal guitars resume and this piece comes very nicely alive. All in all, a really cool piece. The tempo and structure change after a bit, showcasing the enormously wonderful and talented range of musical abilities of Slayer themselves. Singing enters, and the band sounds really supercharged and awesome here. This sounds really top-notch and gloriously awesome. Slayer’s music is perfect for those of you who desire to rule the world but with darkness and menace throughout. A really great piece of music, this is more Poppy (if Slayer could be described as Pop Music) for the fans of Metal. A screaming set of guitar soloing emerges in the second half to remind us of how great Slayer is. Nonetheless, this does sound super awesome to hear. The shredding and other guitar techniques are fantastic here as well. In any case, this is mind-blowingly great. About dying and descending into hell, this is perfect for those who deal with pentagrams and other dark forces in this world. Sweet and interesting to listen to. It ends with gong hits and crunchy guitar playing, fantastic. A great way to finish off a great album.

Without a doubt, Slayer have achieved many great musical moments in their history as a band. This album, although lacking in some musical originality, is one of Slayer’s best album releases to date. It showcases the variety, effort and energy that Metal can provide to the listener. Sadly, Dave Lombardo left Slayer for a very long time after this album, which did not help. All good things do come to an end. Should you listen to this album in any case? Absolutely, it is a fantastic Thrash Metal classic from beginning to end.

Mindblowingly great.

9/10