SLAYER - HELL AWAITS 12" Vinyl LP Album

- NO BARCODE

Cover art of Slayer's Hell Awaits LP: a hellish scene with tortured souls falling into fire, horned demons, and the Slayer logo inside a pentagram above the chaos.

This is the first Roadrunner Release of "Hell Awaits", the second studio album by the American thrash metal band Slayer. The band's previous release, "Show No Mercy", became Metal Blade Records' highest selling release; as a result, producer Brian Slagel desired to release a second Slayer album. To that end, Slagel financed a recording budget (Show No Mercy was paid for by band members) and recruited several experienced producers to help in the studio.

Album Description:

In the realm of heavy metal, few bands have achieved the level of ferocity and influence that Slayer has. With their breakneck speed, brutal riffs, and uncompromising lyrical themes, Slayer forged a path that countless bands would follow. One of their most iconic releases, "Hell Awaits," stands as a testament to their unrivaled intensity and uncompromising vision. Today, we delve into the raw power of the "Hell Awaits" 12" Vinyl LP Album, without the barcode, and explore the artistic elements that make it a true collector's gem.

Released in 1985, "Hell Awaits" was the sophomore album from Slayer, following their debut opus, "Show No Mercy." It marked a significant evolution in their sound, as they delved deeper into the dark and macabre territories that would become their signature. The album cover design, crafted by Albert Cueller, captures the essence of the album perfectly. A haunting, otherworldly landscape filled with menacing creatures and ominous symbols serves as a visual gateway to the aural onslaught contained within.

Upon sliding the vinyl out of its sleeve, fans will be greeted with the original custom inner sleeve, adorned with album details and complete lyrics. This attention to detail is a testament to the band's dedication to delivering a comprehensive artistic experience to their audience. It allows listeners to fully immerse themselves in the bleak and sinister world Slayer has created.

"Hell Awaits" features seven tracks of unrelenting thrash metal, with each song contributing to the album's overall dark and foreboding atmosphere. The relentless and precise guitar work of Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman, coupled with Tom Araya's menacing vocals and Dave Lombardo's thunderous drumming, create an unholy sonic assault that defines Slayer's sound. From the ominous title track, which opens the album with a chilling spoken word introduction, to the chaotic fury of "Kill Again" and the epic closing track "Hardening of the Arteries," each song showcases Slayer at the height of their musical prowess.

The recording of "Hell Awaits" took place at Eldorado Recording Studio, Hollywood, USA. Produced by Brian Slagel and Slayer themselves, with Carolyn Collins serving as the assistant engineer, the album captures the raw energy and intensity of the band's live performances. The production maintains a balance that allows each instrument to shine through the relentless wall of sound, adding to the album's timeless appeal.

The album cover photography, credited to Lowell Ketz, captures the band in their prime. A striking image of the band members emanating an aura of darkness and aggression, it encapsulates the spirit of Slayer and their dedication to pushing the boundaries of extreme music.

Manufactured in the Netherlands in 1985, this 12" Vinyl LP Album of "Hell Awaits" without the barcode holds a special place in the hearts of Slayer fans and collectors alike. Its scarcity and historical significance make it a highly sought-after item, a testament to the enduring legacy of Slayer and their impact on the world of heavy metal.

Production & Recording Information

This album "SLAYER HELL AWAITS NO BARCODE" includes the original custom inner sleeve with album details, complete lyrics of all songs by and artwork/photos

Producers: Brian Slagel and Slayer
  • Brian Slagel – Producer, Record Company Owner

    Founder of Metal Blade Records and one of the prime movers behind the 1980s heavy metal underground, responsible for bringing countless cult bands into the daylight.

    Brian Slagel is widely regarded as one of the key architects of modern heavy metal. In 1982, he founded Metal Blade Records, initially as a passion project to document the rising underground scene. The label quickly became a launchpad for bands such as Metallica, Slayer, Mercyful Fate, and Trouble, helping transform tape-trading obscurities into global forces. Alongside his role as a label head, Slagel also worked as a producer with acts like Flotsam and Jetsam, Exciter, and Trouble, leaving a lasting imprint on the sound and infrastructure of 1980s metal.

    Brian Slagel Wiki
    • Sound Engineers: Ron Fair, Bill Metoye
  • Bill Metoyer – Producer, Sound Engineer

    Legendary Metal Blade in-house producer who helped define the raw, aggressive sound of 1980s heavy metal.

    Bill Metoyer is a highly influential producer and sound engineer whose work became a cornerstone of American heavy metal in the 1980s. As Vice President and in-house engineer at Metal Blade Records, he was directly responsible for capturing the raw intensity and unpolished power of bands like Slayer, Armored Saint, and Flotsam and Jetsam. His production style favored clarity without sanding off the aggression, helping underground metal sound dangerous, immediate, and unmistakably alive.

    Bill Metoyer Wiki
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    Assistant Engineer: Carolyn Collins
    Carolyn Collins started her sound engineering career with Omen's Battle Cry in 1985. Recruited by Brian Slagel, she contributed to Slayer's Hell Awaits and worked at Eldorado Recording Studio in Hollywood.
    Recording Studio: Eldorado Recording Studio, Hollywood
    Eldorado Studios is located in Hollywood, Los Angeles. It has hosted metal bands including Anthrax, Omen, and Slayer.
    Mixed at: Track Record
    Mastered by: Bernie Grundman at Bernie Grundman Studios, Hollywood (mis-spelled as Burnie Grundman)
  • Bernie Grundman – Mastering Engineer

    I trust his work when the groove feels wide but the cymbals stay human.

    Bernie Grundman is the mastering engineer who taught half of Los Angeles how to make a lacquer breathe. No fairy dust, just physics and taste. He cut his teeth at Contemporary Records in 1966 before A&M came calling. I followed him from 1968 to 1984 running A&M's mastering department, where his cuts powered 70s staples by Earth, Wind & Fire (1973), the Carpenters (1974) and Steely Dan's "Aja" (1977). In the early 80s he helped shape Prince ("Dirty Mind" 1980; "Purple Rain" 1984) and Michael Jackson's "Thriller" (1982). Post-1984, at Bernie Grundman Mastering, he kept bridging vinyl and digital, even crossing into hip-hop with Dr. Dre's "The Chronic" (1992), and later opened a Tokyo studio in 1997.

    Bernie Grundman Wiki
    • Album Cover Design: Albert Cueller
    Albert Cueller designed two album covers for Slayer: Hell Awaits and Live Undead.
    Album Cover Photography: Lowell Ketz
    Music Genre:

    Speed / Thrash Metal

    Label & Catalognr:

    RoadrunneR RR 9795  

    Album Packaging:

    This album includes the original custom inner sleeve with album details, complete lyrics of all songs by Slayer and photos of the Slayer-band.  

    Media Format:

    Record Format: 12" Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record
    Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram  

    Year & Country:

    1985 Made in Netherlands  

    Musicians:
      Band-members, Musicians and Performers
    • Tom Araya - Bass, Vocals
    • Tom Araya – Bass Guitar, Vocals

      Founding voice and bass anchor of Slayer, known for his ferocious delivery, stark lyrical themes, and a presence that helped define thrash metal at its most extreme.

      Tom Araya is a Chilean-American bassist and vocalist best known as the frontman of Slayer, one of thrash metal’s most influential and uncompromising bands. Joining the group in 1981, Araya combined rapid-fire bass lines with an unmistakable vocal attack that ranged from snarled shouts to near-spoken menace. Albums such as Reign in Blood, South of Heaven, and Seasons in the Abyss cemented his reputation as a defining voice of extreme metal, while his lyrics often explored war, violence, religion, and the darker edges of human psychology. His role in shaping Slayer’s sound and image remains foundational to the genre.

      Tom Araya Wiki
    • Jeff Hanneman - Lead Guitar
    • Jeff Hanneman – Guitars

      Founding guitarist and primary architect of Slayer’s most ruthless material, known for razor-sharp riffs, unsettling themes, and a songwriting style that pushed thrash metal into darker territory.

      Jeff Hanneman was a founding member and guitarist of Slayer and one of the most influential riff writers in extreme metal. Drawing inspiration from punk, hardcore, and war history, his playing favored speed, tension, and brutal simplicity over technical flash. Hanneman co-wrote many of the band’s defining songs, including Angel of Death, Raining Blood, and War Ensemble, helping shape albums such as Reign in Blood and Seasons in the Abyss. His uncompromising approach and dark lyrical focus left a permanent mark on thrash metal’s sound and attitude.

      Jeff Hanneman Wiki
    • Kerry King - Lead Guitar
    • Kerry King – Guitars

      Co-founding guitarist of Slayer, known for his relentless riffing, chaotic solo style, and an approach to thrash metal that favored aggression over polish.

      Kerry King is an American guitarist and songwriter best known as a founding member of Slayer, formed in 1981. His playing style is defined by rapid-fire tremolo riffs, atonal dive-bomb solos, and an unapologetically abrasive tone that helped push thrash metal toward its extreme edge. King co-wrote many of the band’s most recognizable songs, contributing decisively to landmark albums such as Reign in Blood, South of Heaven, and Seasons in the Abyss. His aggressive musical vision and confrontational stage presence became core elements of Slayer’s identity and long-term influence.

      Kerry King Wiki
    • Dave Lombardo - Drums
    • Dave Lombardo – Drums

      Revolutionary metal drummer whose speed, precision, and groove redefined what thrash metal drumming could physically do.

      Dave Lombardo is a Cuban-American drummer best known for his work with Slayer, where his explosive double-bass technique and razor-sharp timing set new standards for extreme metal percussion. Joining the band in the early 1980s, Lombardo’s playing became a defining force on albums such as Reign in Blood, South of Heaven, and Seasons in the Abyss, blending raw speed with unexpected rhythmic complexity. Outside of Slayer, he expanded his range through collaborations with Fantômas, Testament, and Suicidal Tendencies, proving his versatility well beyond thrash. His influence on modern metal drumming is both technical and unavoidable.

      Dave Lombardo Wiki
    Tracklisting Side One:
    1. Hell Awaits (Lyrics: King) (Music: Hanneman/King) 6:12
    2. Kill Again (Lyrics: King) (Music: Hanneman/King) 4:53
    3. At Dawn They Sleep (Lyrics: Araya/Hanneman/King)(Music: Hanneman) 6:16
    Tracklisting Side Two:
    1. Praise of Death (Lyrics: Hanneman) (Music: King) 5:17
    2. Necrophiliac (Lyrics: Hanneman/King)(Music: Hanneman) 3:43
    3. Crypts of Eternity (Lyrics: Araya/Hanneman/King)(Music: Hanneman/King) 6:37
    4. Hardening of the Arteries (Lyrics & Music: Hanneman) 3:57
    High Resolution & Quality Photos
    Front Cover Photo Of SLAYER HELL AWAITS NO BARCODE
    Cover art of Slayer's Hell Awaits LP: a hellish scene with tortured souls falling into fire, horned demons, and the Slayer logo inside a pentagram above the chaos.

    The cover of Slayer – Hell Awaits is a vivid and disturbing illustration of a fiery inferno, embodying the album’s dark and aggressive themes. The background is engulfed in vertical streaks of burning red, orange, and black, creating the illusion of a deep chasm or the flaming walls of Hell itself.

    In the upper left corner, the iconic Slayer logo is suspended within an inverted pentagram formed from weathered bones and spikes. Below and across the scene, grotesque demonic creatures—part-human, part-beast—seize writhing, naked souls. These tormented figures are being dragged downward or flung violently into the abyss by their limbs and hair, screaming in agony.

    The bottom left shows a massive demon skull with rotting flesh and snarling teeth, reaching toward a terrified human with clawed hands. Another tormented soul is impaled on a spiked staff, suspended mid-air as it’s lifted into the infernal void.

    To the right, muscular minotaurs and skeletal devils rampage through the air, trampling and dragging bodies with them, emphasizing the relentless brutality of the descent into Hell.

    At the top right in stark white serif lettering, the album title HELL AWAITS stands in sharp contrast to the violent red chaos, enhancing its ominous tone. The entire composition, rendered in graphic, comic-book horror style, is both theatrical and violent—perfectly encapsulating Slayer's extreme thrash metal aesthetic.

    Photo Of The Back Cover SLAYER HELL AWAITS NO BARCODE
    Back cover of Slayer's Hell Awaits LP with tracklist, band member photos, live performance shot, and red credits on a dark background. Includes Roadrunner Records branding.

    The back cover of Slayer – Hell Awaits is a dynamic and gritty layout that balances track information with intense band imagery. Set against a deep black background, the top of the cover features the complete tracklist in blood-red and white text. Each song title is followed by detailed songwriting credits, highlighting contributions by King, Hanneman, and Araya.

    Arranged in a scattered collage style are five photos of the band members in action. At the top left, Tom Araya is captured mid-growl at his mic, playing bass, sweat glistening on his arm. Opposite him, Jeff Hanneman screams into the camera while shredding his guitar in a sleeveless black shirt.

    Bottom left shows Kerry King focused on his guitar, wearing spiked wristbands and a sleeveless leather outfit, framed in green and blue stage lighting. Bottom right features Dave Lombardo behind the drum kit with an intense expression and sticks raised mid-motion. At the center is a wide-angle live photo showing the band onstage with flames and smoke erupting behind them.

    Beneath the photos, production credits are given to Brian Slagel and Slayer. Small red print across the bottom edge lists the distribution and licensing details across various countries including the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, and France, marking this as the 1985 Roadrunner RR 9795 pressing manufactured in the Netherlands.

    Photo of the custom inner sleeve SLAYER HELL AWAITS NO BARCODE
    Collage of black-and-white photos showing Slayer during live shows, backstage antics, fan interactions, and off-stage moments. Energetic, chaotic, and personal.

    This black-and-white collage forms the inner sleeve artwork of Slayer's Hell Awaits LP, capturing the raw energy and chaotic spirit of the band’s early career. Dozens of candid photographs are assembled in a rough grid, filling the frame with frenetic energy and unfiltered personality.

    The images showcase a mix of live concert action, intimate backstage moments, and off-stage debauchery. Shots of Tom Araya, Kerry King, Jeff Hanneman, and Dave Lombardo appear throughout—playing guitar, headbanging, laughing with fans, goofing off, and generally embodying the unruly force of 1980s thrash metal.

    Several photos highlight fan interactions—crowd-surfing, posing for group shots, or partying together. One central image shows a Slayer banner behind the drum kit onstage, while others catch the band mid-performance under intense lighting and smoke.

    The overall composition reinforces the underground ethos and DIY roots of the era. There’s no polish—just sweat, grit, and a band committed to living every note as intensely as they play it. The collage not only documents Slayer’s rise, but also the tight-knit and chaotic community that surrounded them.

    Photo of the custom inner sleeve SLAYER HELL AWAITS NO BARCODE
    Back of the inner sleeve for Slayer's Hell Awaits LP, featuring full printed lyrics to all songs, production credits, and acknowledgements on white background.

    This image shows the reverse side of the original inner sleeve for Slayer’s 1985 album Hell Awaits. It is starkly printed on a white background with dense black text and no imagery, letting the raw content take center stage.

    The sleeve is divided into three vertical columns packed with the complete lyrics to all seven tracks on the album. Each song title is bolded in uppercase, with credits for lyrics and music underneath. For example, "Hell Awaits" is credited to Lyrics: King / Music: Hanneman, King. The lyrics themselves are laid out in tightly spaced blocks of uppercase text, heightening the aggressive, unrelenting vibe of the album.

    The rightmost column also includes production and recording credits. Notably, the album was produced by Brian Slagel and Slayer, recorded at Eldorado, Hollywood, with engineering by Ron Fair and Bill Metoyer, and mastering by Bernie Grundman. The sleeve also credits Albert Cuellar for cover illustration and Lowell Katz for photography.

    Below the credits, a large block of “thank you” acknowledgements lists a wide range of names—from friends, crew members, and radio supporters to record label contacts across various countries. The final lines include tongue-in-cheek shoutouts like “Marooshka lives in our brains!!!”, reinforcing the band’s wild underground spirit.

    The bottom right corner shows the Roadrunner Records logo and catalog number RR 9795, confirming this as the European pressing. Overall, the sleeve design is minimal and utilitarian—focused purely on content and authenticity.

    Photo Side One SLAYER HELL AWAITS NO BARCODE
    Side 1 label of Slayer's Hell Awaits LP on Roadrunner Records, showing tracklist, publishing info, and red Roadrunner logo, pressed in the Netherlands.

    This image presents the Side 1 center label of Slayer’s 1985 album Hell Awaits, issued by Roadrunner Records (catalog number RR 9795). The label design is minimal and functional, using a plain beige background with clear black text for optimal legibility.

    Prominently at the top is the bold red Roadrunner logo in a rectangular outline, with a capital “R” featured in larger font. Just below that, the side designation, speed, catalog number, and STEMRA rights society are printed on the left side.

    Centered beneath the spindle hole is the album title in quotes: "HELL AWAITS" – Slayer. The tracklisting is laid out in a numbered format, each with writer credits and song duration:

    • 1. Hell Awaits (Hanneman/King) – 6:12
    • 2. Kill Again (Hanneman/King) – 4:52
    • 3. At Dawn They Sleep (Araya/Hanneman/King) – 6:16

    Below the tracklist, production is credited to Brian Slagel and Slayer. The publishing rights are listed as belonging to Bloody Skull Music, and the release is noted as Licensed from Metal Blade Records.

    A circular legal disclaimer runs around the outer edge in red text, warning against unauthorized copying, hiring, lending, public performance, or broadcasting. The pressing was Made in Holland, consistent with the Roadrunner release for the European market.

    Photo of Side Two SLAYER HELL AWAITS NO BARCODE
    Side 2 label of Slayer's Hell Awaits LP on Roadrunner Records, showing second half of the tracklist, publishing info, and red Roadrunner logo, pressed in Holland.

    This image displays the Side 2 center label of Slayer’s 1985 thrash metal LP Hell Awaits, issued by Roadrunner Records under catalog number RR 9795. The label features a matte beige background with black and red print, consistent with Roadrunner’s 1980s vinyl aesthetic.

    Dominating the upper center is the iconic red Roadrunner logo enclosed in a rectangular border, with a large “R” to the left. On the left margin, technical details include Side 2, STEREO, RR 9795, and STEMRA. To the right, pressing details note it as a 33⅓ RPM record from 1985, produced by Roadrunner Productions B.V.

    The lower half contains the continuation of the album’s tracklist:

    • 4. Praise of Death (Hanneman/King) – 5:17
    • 5. Necrophiliac (Hanneman/King) – 3:43
    • 6. Crypts of Eternity (Araya/Hanneman/King) – 6:37
    • 7. Hardening of the Arteries (Hanneman) – 3:57

    As noted at the bottom, the album was produced by Brian Slagel and Slayer, with publishing rights credited to Bloody Skull Music. The album was licensed from Metal Blade Records.

    The label rim features a red circular legal notice prohibiting unauthorized copying, hiring, lending, and broadcasting. The pressing is clearly labeled as Made in Holland, a defining mark of the early Roadrunner editions.

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