They were also able to carry the classic, skeleton-like dark, Slayer melodies over to the slow songs as well, so they all sound just as heavy and mean as the fast songs of the band.īut those that expected something from the older days of Slayer shouldn't be disappointed, either. A good example of this is the first verse riff in "Live Undead", or even the intro riff of the title song. They realized that the slow pace actually allows them to squeeze a lot of notes in there, and write very energetic, very "alive" riffs. Realizing this, Jeff and Kerry turned to different tools. However, it was clear that one more record based on just speed, and the formula wears out. It's true, no one could get enough of Slayer's mindless devastation, and that led to the extreme success and status of "Hell Awaits" and "Reign in Blood", both of which are some of the best thrash records ever. Except for the debuting "Show no Mercy", Slayer's records have been all based on brutality and speed. Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King decided to go in a different direction this time. The reason why all types of songs are extremely well-done lies in the songwriting, obviously.
Both styles are encompassed by the record, and they are magnificently nailed. Whether you're into slower thrash, or traditional, high-speed thrash, this is for you. This is true to the other songs, such as "Live Undead", or "Read Between the Lies", these songs are slow pace-wise, but the colorfulness and the dark melodies grab the listener just as well as high-speed songs, like "Ghosts of War", and "Slient Scream". The riffs are very dark, and they do have that particular Slayer-type aggression to them, regardless of the slow pace. Just when the record begins with the haunting intro riff of "South of Heaven", the listener already realizes this is something different, and it's true, the song is rather slow for a first song on a thrash record. The major difference here has to do with speed. The style of the album is still very much Slayer, as we know and love it. That's why, this record, South of Heaven, because its variety and diversity, logically is the best Slayer record of all time. This record is not the same way in that regard.
While "Reign in Blood" makes one forget about all the reasons that exist, all the logic that exists, and makes the listener an absolute slave to the record, logically, it is extremely one-sided. The successor, "South of Heaven" became something totally different than any of the records before it. Slayer knew that, and they decided to change things up a little bit. What else is there to brutality-based thrash metal after that!? Well, the answer is that it does not have to be the same type of release. After "Reign in Blood", it was difficult to imagine what can still be done after such a colossal release.
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