South of Heaven

Untitled

South of Heaven is an album by thrash metal band Slayer. It was recorded in 1987, and was released in 1988 (see 1988 in music) through Def Jam Records (later rereleased on Rubin's Def American/American Recordings).

This album marked a deliberate departure from Slayer's previous albums, with slower songs, a more melodic vocal style, spoken word vocals on "Mandatory Suicide" and even clean guitars on "Spill The Blood". Slayer have stated that this was the only album that they planned out in advance—they felt that they could not outdo the speed of Reign in Blood.

The album faced vocal opposition by many of their fans, though the album is not a complete departure from their previous sound, featuring songs as fast as any they had previously released, such as the anti-abortion "Silent Scream".

The intro to the song "Ghosts of War" is a musical reprise of the end of the song "Chemical Warfare", from the Haunting the Chapel EP, one of their most popular songs among fans and a staple of their live shows.

South of Heaven is now, along with Hell Awaits, Reign in Blood and Seasons in the Abyss, considered to be a classic metal album.

Track listing

1. "South of Heaven" (Araya/Hanneman) - 5:00
2. "Silent Scream" (Araya/Hanneman/King) - 3:02
3. "Live Undead" (Araya/Hanneman/King) - 3:51
4. "Behind the Crooked Cross" (Hanneman) - 3:12
5. "Mandatory Suicide" (Araya/Hanneman/King) - 4:03
6. "Ghosts of War" (Hanneman/King) - 3:55
7. "Read between the Lies" (Araya/Hanneman/King) - 3:21
8. "Cleanse the Soul" (Araya/Hanneman/King) - 3:01
9. "Dissident Aggressor" (Judas Priest) - 2:34
10. "Spill the Blood" (Hanneman) - 4:48

Personnel

• Tom Araya - Bass, Vocals
• Jeff Hanneman - Lead guitars
• Kerry King - Lead guitars
• Dave Lombardo - Drums
• Rick Rubin - Producer
• Andy Wallace - Engineer

Chart position

Album

Billboard (North America)

Year	Chart	Position
1988	The Billboard 200	57