Released on 20 October, 1986, "Reign in Blood" was the third studio album by the American metal band Slayer. It also marked their first collaboration with super-producer Rick Rubin, whose influence helped the band’s sound evolve significantly. The album spawned the singles "Postmortem" & "Criminally Insane".
The record is also well-known for the controversy it sparked at the time—specifically regarding the track "Angel of Death," which referenced the German "killer doctor" Josef Mengele. The track describes the atrocities he committed at Auschwitz, forcing the band to clarify that they were not Nazis, but rather simply interested in the history of the individual in question.
Despite the controversy, the album was well-received by both fans and critics, finally earning Slayer widespread recognition beyond just the metal community, and it remains one of the greatest metal albums, having helped define the thrash metal sound—alongside bands like Anthrax, Megadeth, and Metallica—during the 1980s, and it continues to be influential to this day.
Following the success of "Hell Awaits," the band's manager believed they were ready for greater things. He entered into negotiations with several labels, including the renowned Def Jam Recordings—run by Rick Rubin and Russell Simmons. Although the manager was initially hesitant about signing with a label primarily associated with hip-hop, the band's drummer recognized Rubin's genuine interest and initiated discussions, even though the other members were reluctant to leave Metal Blade Records.
After much back-and-forth, the band ultimately signed with Def Jam. Rubin oversaw the process, ensuring they had better promotional photographs taken before recording began.
The album was recorded at Hit City West in Los Angeles, with Rick Rubin as producer and Andy Wallace as sound engineer. This was Rubin’s first experience working with a metal band, and his influence was key in achieving a clean, direct sound—a sharp contrast to the band’s earlier, grittier, and more abrasive records. This helped shift the perception of the group: it was no longer just about playing fast, but about playing with precision and hitting every note at exactly the right moment. Furthermore, the songs were kept short—resulting in a total runtime of just 29 minutes.
The band realized this only after finishing the recording and beginning the mixing process, but they decided to stick with it. They were ultimately pleased with the result; the music was even more abrasive and fast-paced than their previous work, helping to bridge the gap between thrash metal and hardcore punk.
Following the recording sessions, the band toured the United States and Europe. During this period, they lost drummer Dave Lombardo, who was replaced by Tony Scaglione—though Rubin urged Lombardo to return, he did not rejoin until 1987.
Curiously, the album received no radio support, yet it still managed to enter the Billboard 200, peaking at number 94, and reached number 47 in the United Kingdom. It earned acclaim from both metal and mainstream critics, with "Angel of Death" being hailed as one of the most devastating and monumental songs in history.
The album featured incredible rhythms, infectious guitar work, and graphically violent lyrics, all packaged in a stark, gray cover—an aesthetic that set a new standard for other bands in the genre. It became an essential listen, and that is where its enduring legacy lies: it arrived at a time when nothing else like it existed in the thrash metal scene. Its production was so professional that, had it been released today, it might not have made the same impact at all.
Reign In Blood Track List:
1. Angel Of Death
2. Piece By Piece
3. Necrophobic
4. Altar Of Sacrifice
5. Jesus Saves
6. Criminally Insane
7. Reborn
8. Epidemic
9. Postmortem
10. Raining Blood
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