Slayer's Reign In Blood Revisited

Slayer's Reign In Blood album is, perhaps, the most brutal, chilling, and uncompromising heavy metal album in the history of the genre…and also one of the most influential. Released in 1986 to mixed reaction from the fledgling metal press and almost ignored by a mainstream music media that had its collective nose up in the air, Reign In Blood has withstood the test of time, emerging two decades later to stand as not only a landmark of all things metal, but also as an illustration of the limitless creativity possible in rock music.

In his excellent 33 1/3 series book on the album – part of Continuum's respected series that dissects one important album at a time – writer D.X. Ferris pulls off an admirable tightrope walk. As both a fan and a critic, Ferris manages to convey a sense of excitement about the album even as he pulls the reader headfirst into the world of Slayer. By talking to band members, other musicians, friends and other people around the band at the time, hardcore fans…even respected studio engineer Andy Wallace…Ferris pulls together as complete a picture of the making of Reign In Blood as you'll likely ever read.

After establishing the album's bona fides and importance, Ferris jumps into brief, albeit insightful, mini-bios of each of Slayer's band members. By outlining the distinct and disparate personalities of the players, Ferris brings greater weight to the band's chemistry and subsequent accomplishments. He discusses the band's initial flirtation with, and eventual signing by super-producer Rick Rubin to his Def Jam label. Rubin himself is also the subject of a fascinating profile by the writer.

With a true fan's enthusiasm, Ferris goes on to outline the creation of Reign In Blood, from the album's earliest writing stages through the final mix, and even the making of the cover art. In doing so, he takes the reader behind the scenes into the heart of Slayer's creative process, spotlights how Rubin works in the studio, and describes how the album's songs were developed. This might sound like it would be a dry, boring read, but Ferris tells the tale with humor and intelligence. The context that Ferris includes, combined with the comments and insider information provided by over four dozen interview subjects, together they paint a fascinating story.

Ferris delves into the aftermath of Reign In Blood's recording…CBS Records' refusal to release the album, controversy over the album's gruesome cover art, even questions over Slayer's alleged satanic leanings. Targeted by Tipper Gore's Parent's Music Resource Center (PMRC), Slayer shows were picketed by right-leaning Christian groups. Rubin subsequently moved his Def Jam Records from CBS to Geffen Records for distribution, kicking off a long and beneficial relationship for both labels (and Slayer).

Finally, Ferris breaks down the album song-by-song, a critical dissection that puts each performance under the microscope, lending every song the benefit of hindsight. It's one of the most interesting sections of the book, serving to dismiss some old controversies and, perhaps, ignite some new firestorms, blending observation with opinion (both those of Ferris and the folks he interviewed) to provide each song with deeper contextual roots. The book closes with the legacy left behind by Reign In Blood, the influence the album had on later generations of musicians, and its long-standing importance in the face of the temporary nature of pop music.

Ferris is a fine writer that brings a professional tone and journalistic approach to his fanboy appreciation for the band. His prose is easy and free-flowing, both engaging and informative. The best that could be said is that if you don't already own a copy of Slayer's Reign In Blood, this book will prompt you to go out and purchase the album. It is the perfect companion to Slayer's groundbreaking effort, one of those rare music books that compliments and enhances the art it covers. (Continuum Books)

(Click on the book or CD cover to buy from Amazon.com)