Hell Awaits by Slayer (CD, Jan-1994, Metal Blade)

I owned this album for a pretty long time, still do, of course. I need not introduce this band to the world. You should already know who Slayer is...you DO, dont you? Time sure does go by. I remember getting this in the early 90s on tape (bought the remaster cd here recently!) It being 2009 already, I'll be honest and forthright here: Slayer's Hell Awaits is a good album and a landmark in heavy metal, but I have heard albums by other thrash bands that just rip this one apart (ie. Holy Moses-Agony of Defeat, Heathen-Victims of Deception, any Paradox album, etc.).

I suppose at the time this came out, it was considered the best thing since sliced bread, and that is true to some extent. Hell Awaits is a truly evil sounding thrash album made with a "take no prisoners" attitude, and fine musicianship by all members of the band. To this day I still find it enjoyable, much like Metallica's early albums, and to some extent, Megadeth. Its just that, when I compare this to some other great classic thrash albums and some newer thrash albums from this wonderful revival period we are experiencing now, Hell Awaits seems to lack some punch. I turn on the album and instead of razor sharp thrash riffing, I hear soft bouncy bass riffing and an overall lack of aggression. The songwriting is pretty good and keeps things fresh, but it just feels like the power is drained out of the album. In my opinion, thrash should be built around a combination of aggression and versatility. At least Slayer new well enough to include some double bass drumming in sections, unlike some other infamous thrash bands.

Im sure other people would agrue this point with me, and that is fine. We are all entitled to our opinion. Im just making the case that there are albums out there that thrash heavier and faster, and contain some real power to them. Ive played this album several times over the years, and I guess I have to admit that its bouncy bassy sounds amongst the riffing of the guitar just seem to make the album sound weak to me. Maybe it just needs to be rerecorded with some additional aggression. I think Slayer would have been wise to benchmark a band like Morbid Saint, who had a very evil vibe to them as well. Saint's albums featured awful production too, but the sheer intensity of that band was enough to make your skin crawl, and I would have loved to hear a more intense Slayer, in the same vein. Luckily, Reign in Blood came pretty close to that feel, and I commend Slayer for giving us that masterpiece. Hell Awaits is a good start for thrash newbies, but I think after awhile, you will find that your tastes will start craving something with a bit more bite than this album has to offer you. Enjoy!

Although,not as classic as reign in Blood it's their best work in 1985.Miles ahead of Show No Mercy and more advanced than the Haunting The Chapel EP and hands down the best album recorded for Metal Blade Records until Cannibal Corpse joined the label.Out Venom venom at their own game.Brian Slagel didn't get the best production to showcase Slayer's powerful performances like Rick Rubin done in future CDs.The greatest of Slayer's early albums containing lot of manic raw energy.Opening for Venom and Mercyful Fate,get their chops on stage.There's a picture of a young King Diamond hanging with the boys.The whole album feels like it's descending to hell.There's a progressive of their early album building to Reign in Blood,back in 1986 known as the heaviest album for that time on as major label.Standing on their own two feet doing their own personal musical legacy,no longer aping old Maiden/priest riffs and vocals.They opened the door to bands Kreator,S.O.D,Sepultura,Death,Deicide,Cannibal Corpse,Napalm Death,Obituary,Pantera,L.O.G., and many others.

1.Hell Awaits- I loved the chanting of 'Join Us" before the demonic voice kicks in with classic Slayer riffing and the speed metal galloping.Kerry King's buzzing lead is over before you know.With the haunting lyrics of, "Their souls are damned to Rot in hell and keep the fire growing deep inside Hell awaits.

2.Kill Again-The thundering thrash metal gallop of Hannamen and King reign supreme as they trading leads.This homicidal classic,Slayer out thrashes any early Metallica.And,this song has Tom Araya still doing his high-pitch yelp which he's stop doing in later albums.

3.At Dawn They Sleep- Zombies are out rampaging the earth,again.Araya sound somewhat satanic with the echo in the background,Tom speeds up as well as the guitars.Lombardo does hard drum rolls and suddenly the whole band launches into breakneck speed toward the end.Chanting the word Kill in the middle of the song.

4.Praise of Death-In this song they take no prisoners.No compromises.No mercy.With lyrics like,
Stricken to live,hell on earth shackled and bound to live
praise of death life's a dream we're only living to die.
It's no postmortem what is.Guitar are screeching eerily before the pace quickens.

5.Necrophilliac- as opposed to necrophobic.Blazing the way for a couple of cannibal corpse songs.Way crazy back for 1985.

6.Crypts of eternity- There's a pretty standard thrash riff in the middle of the song that ain't anything to write home about.All of a sudden it gets spooky sounding like demons flying around but not good as alter of sacrifice.

7.Hardening of the arteries-Commenting the world's many woes the classic Slayer speed metal gallop while Araya vocals tries to keep up with growling and snarling pace.Classic King/Hannamen trading lead riffs while Lombardo's demonic drumming with his hi-tops blazing away.The band's gears through like a mac truck while squealing guitars end Hell Awaits.

With Hell Awaits,it's a sign of things to come.It's their 'Cowboys From Hell' or "As the palaces burns".It's second only to Reign In Blood.It's got a creepy feel like Exodus-Bonded by blood.It's just prelude to Reign in Blood