SLAYER - DIABOLUS IN MUSICA - 12" Vinyl 2LP Album

- The Darkest Chapter of Thrash, Where Chaos Meets Experimentation

A dark and eerie album cover featuring a shadowy figure dressed in a religious robe with a large cross on the chest. The figure has a pale, almost featureless face, appearing masked or deformed, with hollow black eyes. The grainy texture and dim lighting create a sinister and unsettling atmosphere, emphasizing a theme of darkness and mystery. The band’s name, 'SLAYER,' is written in a distorted, stylized font with sharp edges, and the album title 'Diabolus in Musica' is in a cryptic, spaced-out script below

 Diabolus in Musica is the eighth studio album by American thrash metal band Slayer. Released on June 9, 1998, it is the second studio album to feature drummer Paul Bostaph. Guitarist Jeff Hanneman wrote most of the album's content which has been described as Slayer's most experimental album. The album's title is a Latin term for "The Devil in Music", a musical interval known for its dissonance. Lyrical themes explored on the album include religion, deviants, death, maniacs, war, and serial killers.

Diabolus in Musica - Album Description:

The 1998 SLAYER album, "Diabolus in Musica", holds a significant place in the band's discography and the evolution of thrash metal. Released on June 9th, this 12" vinyl LP showcases the band's commitment to pushing boundaries and exploring new musical territories. With drummer Paul Bostaph making his second studio appearance, "Diabolus in Musica" marks a notable milestone for Slayer.

One of the standout features of this album is the songwriting contributions of guitarist Jeff Hanneman. Known for his powerful riffs and dark lyrical themes, Hanneman's influence is palpable throughout the record. "Diabolus in Musica" is often regarded as Slayer's most experimental album, as the band incorporates elements of nu-metal and industrial metal into their traditional thrash sound. This departure from their signature style showcased their willingness to take risks and explore new sonic avenues.

The Latin title of the album, "Diabolus in Musica", translates to "The Devil in Music". It refers to a specific dissonant musical interval known for its sinister and unsettling qualities. This choice of title perfectly encapsulates the overall tone and atmosphere of the album. Throughout the record, Slayer delves into a variety of dark and controversial themes, including religion, deviants, death, maniacs, war, and serial killers. The lyrics are confrontational and unapologetic, a trademark of Slayer's lyrical approach.

In addition to the music and lyrics, the physical presentation of the album is noteworthy. The 12" vinyl LP includes original custom inner sleeves, providing album details, complete lyrics of all songs, and artwork/photos. These elements contribute to the overall experience of listening to "Diabolus in Musica" as a tangible and immersive piece of art.

As with any musical departure from an established style, "Diabolus in Musica" received mixed reactions from fans and critics alike. While some embraced Slayer's experimentation and evolution, others longed for a return to the band's more traditional thrash sound. Nonetheless, the album's significance lies in its willingness to challenge conventions and explore new musical directions, showcasing Slayer's versatility as musicians and their commitment to artistic growth.

Album Production Information:

The album: "SLAYER Diabolus in Musica" was produced by: Rick Rubin

Rick Rubin is a legendary music producer and co-founder of Def Jam Recordings. Born in 1963, he revolutionized hip-hop, thrash metal, and rock with his minimalist production style. His work with artists like Metallica, Slayer, and Johnny Cash shaped modern music. Discover more about his legacy in the full biography.

Sound/Recording Engineer(s): Greg Gordon, John Tyree, Allen Sanderson (Oceanway), Wade Goeke, Brian Davis (Hollywood Sound), Sebastian Haimerl (Groove Masters)

This album was recorded at: Oceanway Studios, Los Angeles. California

Additional Recording and Mixing at Hollywood Sound, Los Angeles, California

Additional Mixing at Groove Masters, Santa Monica, California

Mastered by Howie Weinberg at Masterdisk, New York, New York

Howie Weinberg is a renowned mastering engineer whose work has defined the sound of countless legendary albums. With over 200 Gold and Platinum records, he has mastered classics from Metallica, Nirvana, and Slayer, shaping the sonic landscape of rock and metal. His expertise continues to influence generations of musicians. Learn more in the full biography.

Management: Rick Sales at Rick Sales Management, Los Angeles, California

Management Assistent; Nick John

Record Label & Catalognr:

American 491302

Media Format:

12" Double Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record
Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 460 gram  

Packaging:

This album "SLAYER Diabolus in Musica" includes the original custom inner sleeves with album details, complete lyrics of all songs by and artwork/photos.

Year and Country:

  1998 Made in France
Personnel/Band Members and Musicians on: SLAYER Diabolus in Musica
    Band-members, Musicians and Performers
  • Tom Araya - bass, vocals
    Tom Araya is a legendary bassist and vocalist, best known for his role in Slayer, one of thrash metal’s most influential bands. Joining in 1981, he helped shape their aggressive sound, delivering powerful performances and thought-provoking lyrics. With classic albums like Reign in Blood and Seasons in the Abyss, his impact on metal remains undeniable. Read more
  • Jeff Hanneman - guitar, backing vocals
    Jeff Hanneman was a legendary guitarist and founding member of Slayer, one of thrash metal’s most influential bands. His aggressive riffs, dark themes, and songwriting shaped the genre, co-writing classics like Raining Blood and Angel of Death. A fierce performer, his legacy lives on in metal history. Learn more about his impact on music on the Jeff Hanneman Biography page.
  • Kerry King - guitar, keys, backing vocals
    Kerry King, a pioneering thrash metal guitarist, co-founded Slayer in 1981, shaping the genre with aggressive riffs, blistering solos, and dark, intense songwriting. His signature playing style defined classics like Reign in Blood and cemented Slayer’s place among metal’s elite. With a fierce stage presence and lasting influence, King remains a metal icon. Read more in his biography.
  • Paul Bostaph - drums, turntables, samples
Complete Track-listing of the album "SLAYER Diabolus in Musica"

The detailed tracklist of this record "SLAYER Diabolus in Musica" is:

  1. "Bitter Peace" Jeff Hanneman Hanneman 4:32
  2. "Death's Head" Hanneman Hanneman 3:34
  3. "Stain of Mind" Kerry King Hanneman 3:24
  4. "Overt Enemy" Hanneman Hanneman 4:41
  5. "Perversions of Pain" King Hanneman 3:33
  6. "Love to Hate" Hanneman, King Hanneman 3:07
  7. "Desire" Tom Araya Hanneman 4:20
  8. "In the Name of God" King King 3:40
  9. "Scrum" King Hanneman 2:16
  10. "Screaming from the Sky" Hanneman, King, Araya Hanneman 3:12
  11. "Point" King Hanneman 4:11
  12. "Wicked"

SLAYER Diabolus in Musica Album Photo Gallery:

Album Front Cover Photo
A dark and eerie album cover featuring a shadowy figure dressed in a religious robe with a large cross on the chest. The figure has a pale, almost featureless face, appearing masked or deformed, with hollow black eyes. The grainy texture and dim lighting create a sinister and unsettling atmosphere, emphasizing a theme of darkness and mystery. The band’s name, 'SLAYER,' is written in a distorted, stylized font with sharp edges, and the album title 'Diabolus in Musica' is in a cryptic, spaced-out script below.

The album cover of SLAYER – Diabolus in Musica exudes an eerie and menacing atmosphere. A shadowy, monochrome image of a humanoid figure dominates the composition. The figure is dressed in a dark religious robe, featuring a large, glowing cross on the chest. Its face is pale, nearly devoid of features, resembling either a mask or a severely deformed visage. The eyes are deep black voids, giving the appearance of an empty, soulless gaze.

The image has a grainy, distressed texture, enhancing its raw and unsettling feel. The dimly lit background obscures details, leaving an air of mystery and dread. The band name, 'SLAYER', is written in a stylized, jagged font that almost looks carved into the image. Below, the album title, 'Diabolus in Musica', appears in a cryptic, spaced-out typeface, further adding to the sinister aesthetic.

This cover visually encapsulates the aggressive, dark, and intense themes of the album, aligning with Slayer’s signature sound of unrelenting thrash metal.

Back Cover of "SLAYER Diabolus in Musica" Album
Back cover of Slayer's 'Diabolus in Musica' album featuring dark, distorted imagery: a blurred face in agony, abstract symbols, and unsettling medical-style visuals.

The back cover of Slayer's 1998 album Diabolus in Musica is a chaotic, eerie collage of distorted imagery that embodies the album's dark, aggressive themes. The dominant feature is a high-contrast, grainy black-and-white photograph of a blurred human face, seemingly screaming or in anguish, as a white liquid streaks downward, resembling dripping paint or an abstract bloodstain.

To the right, there are two rectangular sections featuring unsettling medical or industrial-style visuals. The upper right contains a thick, melted, cross-like symbol formed from a viscous white substance, set against a dark, metallic background. The lower right corner displays an extreme close-up of a human ear with a darkened, almost infected appearance, creating a disturbing, clinical aesthetic.

The tracklist is printed in white capital letters in the left-center portion, divided into four sides, listing song titles like "Bitter Peace," "Stain of Mind," and "Perversions of Pain." Additional production credits and acknowledgments are densely packed below, printed in small, white text. The Columbia Records and American Recordings logos appear near the bottom, reinforcing the album’s official release.

The overall design is harsh, industrial, and chaotic, aligning with the album’s experimental yet menacing musical style. The disorienting imagery, combined with the bleak color scheme, creates an atmosphere of unease and aggression, fitting for one of Slayer’s most polarizing releases.

Inner Cover of "SLAYER Diabolus in Musica" Album
Inner cover of Slayer's 'Diabolus in Musica' album featuring dark, minimalistic design with lyrics in white text on a black background, and shadowy band member faces emerging from darkness.

The inner cover of Slayer's 1998 album Diabolus in Musica maintains a stark and ominous aesthetic. The entire background is deep black, creating a sense of emptiness and void. Across the left and center portions, lyrics are printed in small, white text, organized into neat columns. The song titles, such as "Bitter Peace," "Death's Head," and "Stain of Mind," stand out slightly larger than the rest of the text, guiding the reader through the aggressive, nihilistic themes.

In the lower right quadrant, four ghostly faces of Slayer’s band members emerge from the darkness, arranged in a diagonal, slightly distorted composition. Their expressions are grim, partially obscured by shadow, reinforcing a sinister and eerie atmosphere. The use of extreme contrast, with just their faces faintly illuminated, adds to the unsettling visual tone, making them appear as if they are floating in a void.

The minimalistic yet highly effective design emphasizes isolation and intensity, matching the album's heavy, experimental sound. The stark black-and-white contrast, lack of any extraneous imagery, and the fragmented presentation of the band members create a visual representation of the album’s brooding, ominous energy.

Close-up Photo of "SLAYER Diabolus in Musica" Record Label
Close-up of Slayer's 'Diabolus in Musica' vinyl record label, featuring American Recordings and Columbia logos, tracklist, and production details on a black-and-white design.

This image is a close-up of the vinyl record label for Slayer's 1998 album Diabolus in Musica. The label follows a bold, high-contrast black-and-white design, featuring a diagonal split between the two colors. The top section, where the spindle hole is located, is white with black text, while the lower half is black with white text.

At the top, the "American Recordings" logo is prominently displayed, featuring an American flag icon above the label name. Just below, "SLAYER" is written in bold uppercase letters, followed by the album title, Diabolus in Musica, in slightly smaller text.

On the left side, the phrase "a Stereophonic experience" is printed, accompanied by the "Columbia" logo. To the right, a circular emblem indicates the playback speed as "33 RPM 1/3," signifying that this is a standard LP format.

The lower section contains additional production details, including "Produced by Rick Rubin" and "Co-Produced by Slayer." The tracklist for Side 3 is clearly printed, listing songs "6. Love to Hate," "7. Desire," and "8. In the Name of God." Below this, legal disclaimers state the rights of the label and prohibit unauthorized copying or broadcasting.

The label’s design is minimalist yet effective, reinforcing the album’s raw and aggressive aesthetic. The high contrast and stark layout contribute to the bold and uncompromising visual identity that aligns with Slayer’s musical intensity.

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