SLAYER - LIVE UNDEAD 12" Vinyl LP Album

- Record Label with Original Blood Dripping Axe

Slayer's "Live Undead" LP on Metal Blade with the blood- dripping axe logo captures their live fury. Recorded in NYC (possibly with crowd enhancements), it features early thrash anthems from "Show No Mercy" and "Haunting the Chapel." This pressing includes the bonus track "Chemical Warfare" for a fierce dose of Slayer history.

large album front cover photo of: Live Undead by Slayer

SLAYER - Live Undead Essentials
"Live Undead" Album Description:

For die-hard Slayer fans and collectors of thrash metal's early days, the "Live Undead" 12" vinyl LP with the iconic Metal Blade Records blood-dripping axe logo is a prized possession. This isn't your standard Metal Blade pressing with the guitar icons; it's the one true mark of a specific era for the label.

Released in the late 1980s (exact year varies), "Live Undead" captures Slayer's raw energy in a live setting, presumably recorded in front of a rabid New York City crowd. The album's authenticity has been debated, with some questioning whether the audience noise was enhanced or even entirely fabricated. Producer Bill Metoyer adds to the mystery with his coy response of "I don't know if I should tell you."

Regardless of the crowd's legitimacy, the music itself is undeniably Slayer at their ferocious best. The extended intro to "Black Magic" sets the stage for a blistering live onslaught. The tracklist rips through fan favorites from Slayer's first two albums, "Show No Mercy" and "Haunting the Chapel," showcasing the band's early thrash anthems.

This particular pressing adds an extra dose of thrash goodness with the bonus track "Chemical Warfare." This Slayer staple wasn't included on the original release but became a welcome addition for later editions.

Music Genre:

Thrash Metal

Label & Catalognr:

Metal Blade Records RR 9574

 Note that this is the Metal Blade label with the blood-dripping axe, not the Metal Blade label with the guitar icons  

Media Format:

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

Year & Country:

1984-1987 Made in Holland  

Collector's Information:

"Live Undead" is the first live extended play by the American thrash metal band Slayer. It was released through Metal Blade Records and recorded in New York City in front of a room of people. It has been questioned by both critics and authors that the audience sound may or may not be faked, however when asked if they were fake, producer Bill Metoyer said, "I don't know if I should tell you." The album begins with an extended introduction of "Black Magic", followed by a small speech. The remaining tracks include both those of 1983's "Show No Mercy" and 1984's "Haunting the Chapel". Ned Raggett of Allmusic gave the album two and a half out of five stars, and noted that it "isn't really necessary except for the hardest of hardcore fans."  

Production & Recording Information
Producers:

The album: "SLAYER Live Undead Axe" was produced by: Bill Metoyer and Slayer.

Bill Metoyer is a legendary music producer and sound engineer known for shaping the sound of heavy metal. As Vice President and in-house engineer at Metal Blade Records in the 1980s, he worked with iconic bands like Slayer, Armored Saint, and Flotsam and Jetsam. His expertise in capturing metal’s raw intensity has left a lasting impact on the genre. Learn more on his biography page.

Sound & Recording Engineers:

Bill Metoyer

Recording Location:

New York City on the Slayer 1984 "Haunting North America Tour" except Chemical Warfare.

Mixed at: Track Record, L.A.

Album Cover Design & Artwork:

Albert Cueller

 Albert Cueller has done the artwork for two album covers of Slayer: "Hell Awaits" and "Live Undead".


Musicians:
  • Tom Araya . Vocals, Bass
    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
    Dave Lombardo - Drums
    Dave Lombardo is a legendary drummer, best known for his groundbreaking work with Slayer. Renowned for his lightning-fast double bass drumming and complex rhythms, he helped shape the thrash metal genre. Beyond Slayer, he played with Fantômas, Testament, and Suicidal Tendencies. His technical mastery and innovation have influenced generations of musicians. Learn more about Dave Lombardo here.
  • Jeff Hammeman - Guitar
    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
    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.
Tracklisting Side One:
  1. Black Magic
  2. Die by the Sword
  3. Captor of Sin
  4. The Antichrist
Tracklisting Side Two:
  1. Evil has no boundaries
  2. Show No Mercy
  3. Aggressive Perfector
  4. Chemical Warfare (Bonus track)
Listen to the Undead Live and Head Banging:

Front Cover Photo Of SLAYER Live Undead Bleeding Axe
High Resolution Photo #1 SLAYER Live Undead Bleeding Axe

Note: The images on this page are photos of the actual album. Slight differences in color may exist due to the use of the camera's flash. Images can be zoomed in/out ( eg pinch with your fingers on a tablet or smartphone )

Photo Of The Back Cover SLAYER Live Undead Bleeding Axe
High Resolution Photo #2 SLAYER Live Undead Bleeding Axe
Close up of the record's label
High Resolution Photo #4 SLAYER Live Undead Bleeding Axe
Photo of Side One: SLAYER Live Undead Bleeding Axe
High Resolution Photo #3 SLAYER Live Undead Bleeding Axe
High Resolution Photo #5 SLAYER Live Undead Bleeding Axe

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SLAYER - God Hates Us All  album front cover vinyl record

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SLAYER - Haunting the Chapel (Canadian & USA Releases) album front cover vinyl record

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SLAYER - Hell Awaits album front cover vinyl record

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SLAYER - Live Undead (Two different versions) album front cover vinyl record

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SLAYER - Live Undead / Haunting the Chapel Ltd Ed Blue album front cover vinyl record

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