Artist: SLAYER
Album: SOUTH OF HEAVEN (CD)

Release date: 1988
EAN/UPS: 0602537352265
Media type: CD

SLAYER was back in the headlines once more in 1987 for all the wrong reasons when they pulled out of a headlining slot at the prestigious Aardschock Festival in Holland at the eleventh hour. A great degree of ill feeling was generated until the band explained that with the cancellation of METALLICA (due to the death of Cliff Burton) SLAYER had no intentions of performing but their agency had neglected to inform the relevant parties. With the band's burgeoning popularity, former label Metal Blade were quick to capitalise re-releasing 'Live Undead', as a picture disc variant.

Lombardo, who during his sabbatical had turned down the opportunity to join MEGADETH, was enticed back into the band in April 1987 in time to record the next album. The reinstated drummer did however nearly miss a batch of British dates when his work permit had been refused.

SLAYER plugged the gap between albums by covering IRON BUTTERFLY's 'In A Gadda Da Vida' for the movie soundtrack 'Less Than Zero'.

July 1988's 'South Of Heaven', which saw SLAYER slowing the pace somewhat and included a cover of JUDAS PRIEST's 'Dissident Aggressor', gave SLAYER increased sales yet again. With the band seemingly attempting to extricate themselves from their previous black metal trip oddly Rubin was to insist that the word 'Satan' appear on the record and at the last minute Araya reworked the lyrics to 'Read Between The Lies' to include a reference to ol' Nick.

American dates kicked off with support from NUCLEAR ASSAULT then SLAYER finally got the opportunity to play the major American arenas at the end of 1988 when they were invited to join JUDAS PRIEST as guests.

SLAYER took a lengthy break of some two years after the world tour during which time they severed ties with their British record company London Records. SLAYER had been far from amused when the single 'Mandatory Suicide' had been released on the very last date of the British tour.

TRACKLIST:

1. South Of Heaven
2. Silent Scream
3. Live Undead
4. Behind The Crooked Cross
5. Mandatory Suicide
6. Ghosts Of War
7. Cleanse The Soul
8. Read Between The Lies
9. Dissident Aggressor
10. Spill The Blood

LINE-UP:

Tom Araya (vocals/ bass)
Jeff Hanneman (guitar)
Kerry King (guitar)
Dave Lombardo (drums)