Slayer are not just a metal band… they ARE metal. From the ’80s on, and still going strong, Slayer has been giving fans exactly what they want: more Slayer. They have stayed true to their original formula of heavy-sounding riffs, sick thrash solos by the king Kerry King himself, Tom Arraya’s trademark screams, and lyrics based on Satan, war, God, Satan, serial killers, religion, Satan, torture, war, Satan, politics, and more war. Did I mention war? Slayer’s kept it brutal for over twenty years now. Yet even all Slayer songs are not made equal. Therefore, I have taken on the monumental task of deciding which ten – no more, no less – of Slayer’s songs make the Top Ten Slayer Songs!
South of Heaven: It’s the devil’s domain, but to us fans, “South of Heaven” is our little piece of heaven. Why? Maybe it’s the intro, when Arraya screams out, “Before you see the light… you must diiiieeee!!!” What is this song about? Well, all those people who are, y’know, south of Heaven, and they want to get up there. Yet they keep doing evil deeds in the name of God. I’m guessing they never get there? Also wins “Best Anti-Religion Slayer Song.”
Dead Skin Mask: Momentarily veering away from the more famous Slayer songs, “Dead Skin Mask” is a little ditty about a boy named Eddie. That is, Eddie Gein! He loved his mother and wore the skins of women he killed. Of course, there’s so much out there that is Gein-inspired, so what makes this song the best? I’d reckon it’s that ending. “Mr. Gein! Mr. Gein! I don’t wanna play anymore! Let me out!” FTW. Also wins “Best Slayer Song About a Serial Killer.”
Bloodline: A much more recent offering at the altar of metal, “Bloodline” is one of the singles off God Hates Us All, released in 2001 (coincidentally, on September 11th). In case you didn’t know this is a song about vampires, check out the video. Also wins “Best Song by Slayer About Vampires.”
Seasons in the Abyss: The video is one of Slayer’s best. They are in Egypt, surrounded by pyramids, with the brutal sun beating down upon their heads. The desert’s great expanses can barely contain the band’s wicked thrash, which they play for an audience of men on camels (Ali Baba’s 40 Knights?) and sand. Is the song about mummies? Actually, according to Wikipedia, it is about the apocalypse. Ah, yes, brutal. Also wins “Best Slayer Song Played Around Pyramids.”
Eyes of the Insane: This one actually won a Grammy Award. The lyrics deal with a real-life event, about a man whose post-traumatic stress syndrome after being in Iraq caused him to kill himself. The video is shot as a super close-up on a soldier’s one eye as it reflects all that he sees, as he sees it… war, near-death, his child, and so on. Sick ending, but I won’t give it away. Also wins “Best Slayer Song About Iraq.”
Angel of Death: A classic, written about a man whose nickname was the “Angel of Death.” He was a Nazi who performed unspeakable acts of brutality on Jews in concentration camps, subjecting them to horrific experiments without anesthesia. What can I say? Slayer would make perfect material for a History class, would they not? History Channel, take note! Also wins “Best Slayer Song About WWII.”
Dittohead: This song holds a special place in my heart because I grew up being subjected to Rush Limbaugh’s pill-junkie rantings. The term “dittohead” refers to Limbaugh’s fans, who always call just to say, “Ditto! I agree!” It’s also a great punk song, and I think a lot of people don’t even know that Slayer is also great at punk. Well, they’re great at everything, right? Also wins “Best Anti-Limbaugh Slayer Song.”
Jesus Saves: Another punk-ish Slayer song, though leaning more on thrash, “Jesus Saves” is a sarcastic poke at fans of the ol’ cross-carryin’ hippie. Very simple lyrics, leaves nothing to the imagination. Hey Slayer, tell us how you really feel? Also wins “Best Sarcastic Slayer Song.”
Seven Faces: This song off God Hates Us All is about the Seven Deadly Sins, especially greed. What a great song to usher in the Bush administration with? Looking back on an era that only began with Enron, and as the decade ends with bankers living it up on the taxpayer dollar while more and more Americans go on the dole, this song isn’t just a theme… it’s an ANTHEM. Also wins “Best Anti-Corporate Slayer Song.”
Don’t agree with my list? Well, who cares! It’s difficult coming up with the best ten songs by a band that only does great songs. Much better than the opposite problem of having no good songs to list, I think. So deal… and stay METAL!
