SLAYER - Reign in Blood 12" Vinyl LP Album

- Geffen Records Release

lbum cover of Slayer's Reign in Blood, featuring a dark and chaotic scene with a goat-headed figure on a throne, distorted human-like figures, and religious symbolism, reflecting the album's intense and macabre themes

"Reign in Blood" is the third studio album and the major label debut by the American thrash metal band Slayer. It was released on 7 October 1986 . The album was the band's first collaboration with record producer Rick Rubin, whose input helped the band's sound evolve. "Reign in Blood" was universally well received by both critics and fans, and was responsible for bringing Slayer to the attention of a mainstream metal audience. Kerrang! magazine described the record as "the heaviest album of all time," and a breakthrough in thrash metal and speed metal. Alongside Metallica's "Master of Puppets", Anthrax's "Among the Living "and Megadeth's "Peace Sells... but Who's Buying?", "Reign in Blood" is considered one of the most influential heavy metal albums of all time, thrash metal in particular.

Essentials of: SLAYER - Reign in Blood (Geffen Records)
Album Description:

The 1986 album "Reign in Blood" by Slayer is a seminal release in the history of thrash metal. Released by Geffen Records, it is widely regarded as one of the most influential and intense albums in the genre. Here's some information about the 12" vinyl LP album release:

Album Cover: The album cover features a chilling image of a skeletal angel holding a blood-filled chalice against a black background. The artwork perfectly captures the dark and aggressive tone of the music within.

Slayer's "Reign in Blood" pushed the boundaries of thrash metal, incorporating elements of speed and aggression that were unparalleled at the time. The album features fast, complex guitar riffs, rapid double-bass drumming, and dark, violent lyrics that explore topics like death, war, and anti-religion. The band's tight musicianship, intense energy, and the raw vocal delivery of Tom Araya contributed to its influential status.

"Reign in Blood" has had a profound impact on the metal genre. Its extreme speed and aggression set a new standard for thrash metal, influencing countless bands in the years that followed. The album is often cited as one of the greatest metal albums of all time and has been praised for its technical proficiency, songwriting, and uncompromising attitude.

Due to its controversial lyrical themes, "Reign in Blood" faced criticism and censorship upon its release. Some of the songs were accused of promoting violence and anti-religious sentiments. Despite the controversies, the album gained a dedicated following and solidified Slayer's reputation as one of the most extreme and influential bands in metal.

The 1986 Slayer album "Reign in Blood" on 12" vinyl LP remains a landmark release in the history of thrash metal, showcasing the band's aggressive style and pushing the boundaries of the genre. It continues to be celebrated by fans and critics alike for its impact and enduring legacy.

Music Genre:

Thrash Metal

Label & Catalognr:

Geffen Records – 924 131-1

Media Format:

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

Year & Country:

1986 Europe

Production & Recording Information
Album Packaging

This album includes the original custom inner sleeve ( OIS ) with white background colour with red lettering, on one side there is "Def Jam Recordings" in very large letters, on the other side there are the lyrics of all the songs as well as the production details.

Producers:

Rick Rubin - Producer

Discover Rick Rubin’s legendary career and influence on music: Visit his page now!

Slayer - Producer

Sound & Recording Engineers:

Andy Wallace - Sound Engineer

Andy Wallace is an American sound engineer who has made significant contributions to the metal and rock music genres. He gained prominence primarily in the 1980s and 1990s and is widely recognized for his work on albums by Slayer and Sepultura.

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During the 1980s, Andy Wallace was involved in engineering and mixing various albums for Slayer, a legendary thrash metal band. He worked on their critically acclaimed releases such as "Reign in Blood" (1986) , "South of Heaven" (1988) , and "Seasons in the Abyss" (1990) . These albums are considered landmarks in the genre and helped shape the sound of extreme metal.

In the 1990s, Andy Wallace continued to make his mark in the metal scene, working with Brazilian metal band Sepultura . He served as the engineer and mixer for their influential album "Chaos A.D". (1993). This record showcased a fusion of thrash and groove metal, helping Sepultura expand their musical boundaries and gain international recognition. Wallace's engineering skills contributed to the album's powerful and heavy sound.

Besides Slayer and Sepultura, Andy Wallace has worked with numerous other renowned bands and artists across various genres. His extensive discography includes collaborations with acts like Nirvana, Rage Against the Machine, Alice in Chains, Faith No More, System of a Down, Slipknot, and many more.

Andy Wallace's expertise lies in capturing the raw energy and aggression of heavy music while maintaining clarity and balance in the mix. His engineering and mixing techniques have had a lasting impact on the metal and rock music scenes, earning him a reputation as one of the industry's top sound engineers

 

Howie Weinberg - Mastering Engineer

Discover Howie Weinberg’s legacy in mastering at his web page here!

Recording Location:

This album was recorded at: Los Angeles.

Mixed at New Fresh N.Y..C. (New York City)

Album Cover Design & Artwork:

Stephen Byram - Album Cover Design

Larry W. Carroll - Illustration

Photography:

Charly Rinne - Photography

Charly Rinne, a pivotal figure in German heavy metal, shaped the scene as Metal Hammer’s first Chief Editor and the founder of No Remorse Records. His work as a producer and photographer defined the look and sound of bands like Scorpions, Helloween, and Kreator, creating legendary album covers and editorial influence. Read Charly's Story


Musicians:
  • 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.
  • Jeff Hanneman (1964-2013) - 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.
  • 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.
Tracklisting Side One:
  1. Angel of Death
  2. Piece by Piece
  3. Necrophobic
  4. Altar of Sacrifice
  5. Jesus Saves
Tracklisting Side Two:
  1. Criminally
  2. Insane
  3. Reborn
  4. Epidemic
  5. Postmortem
  6. Raining Blood

Front Cover Photo Of SLAYER - Reign in Blood (Geffen Records)
High Resolution Photo #10 SLAYER - Reign in Blood (Geffen Records)  https://vinyl-records.nl

The album front cover for Slayer’s Reign in Blood is a haunting and intricate piece of artwork that captures the dark and aggressive tone of the music within. The imagery is surreal and macabre, dominated by shades of black, red, and earthy tones, creating a sinister atmosphere.

Key elements of the cover include:

1. Central Figure: A goat-headed figure seated on a throne, representing demonic or satanic imagery, surrounded by symbols of chaos and destruction.

2. Distorted Characters: Multiple grotesque and distorted human-like figures are scattered throughout, their expressions and postures evoking anguish, despair, and violence.

3. Religious Overtones: A figure resembling a pope with an exaggerated mitre stands in the foreground, suggesting themes of corruption or critique of organized religion.

4. Chaotic Scene: The background is filled with disturbing details, including severed heads, hanging figures, and a crowd that appears to be in torment, symbolizing themes of death and suffering.

5. Typography: The Slayer logo, in bold red and white with swords forming a pentagram, is prominently displayed in the upper-left corner. The album title, Reign in Blood, appears in a stark and simple font at the bottom right.

The artwork was designed by Larry Carroll and perfectly complements Slayer’s intense, fast, and aggressive music, reinforcing the themes of brutality and nihilism present in the album’s lyrics.

Photo Of The Back Cover SLAYER - Reign in Blood (Geffen Records)
High Resolution Photo #11 SLAYER - Reign in Blood (Geffen Records)  https://vinyl-records.nl
Photo of the inside cover SLAYER - Reign in Blood (Geffen Records)
High Resolution Photo #12 SLAYER - Reign in Blood (Geffen Records)  https://vinyl-records.nl
Photo of the custom inner sleeve SLAYER - Reign in Blood (Geffen Records)
High Resolution Photo #13 SLAYER - Reign in Blood (Geffen Records)  https://vinyl-records.nl
Close up of the record's label
Photo of record label of SLAYER - Reign in Blood (Geffen Records)
Photo of Side One: SLAYER - Reign in Blood (Geffen Records)
High Resolution Photo #14 SLAYER - Reign in Blood (Geffen Records)  https://vinyl-records.nl
Photo of Side Two: SLAYER - Reign in Blood (Geffen Records)
High Resolution Photo #15 SLAYER - Reign in Blood (Geffen Records)  https://vinyl-records.nl

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