This is defintely an essential metal album. Slayer is one of the greatest metal bands of all time. This was the last album Slayer made with Dave Lombardo (before they reunited with "Christ Illusion"). As "South of Heaven" was very slow and evil, this album was again upbeat and brutal metal. True thrash! Although I love "South of Heaven", I think that there's something in the speed that always gives me special feelings. Just listen to songs like "War Ensemble" abd "Born of Fire", you notice that everything's in control while they're out of control. Although this is more upbeat than SOUTH OF HEAVEN, this is not as uptempo as REIGN IN BLOOD. I think that this is much like HELL AWAITS or SHOW NO MERCY but much better produced. The last track "Seasons in the Abyss" and the fifth track "Dead Skin Mask" represent the slower Slayer and the both tracks are classics. ALthough this is not as scary as HELL AWAITS, I really think that this is better.
Stars: Seasons in the Abyss, War Ensemble, Blood Red
November 15, 2008Slayer is ok, I remember seasons in the abyss playing on headbangers ball and to me was no more better then when they played Overkill or Sepultura. The songs to me that really are decent are tracks 3,4,5,7 and 10. The rest of the songs to me are just thrash speed metal. I can find lots of influences from other bands in these songs and their album-- but to me the group stands on line with Pentagram. The riffs to me are nearly identical in tempo and style. They talk about black obscure spooky things. The lead singer is good and appreciate the way he expresses his voice in the songs mentioned. The irish are tending to be masters of black realmed music beginning with Pentagram, Slayer, Tool. But then again this is USA you cannot capture what you can let go.
April 11, 2008Just another great album by Slayer. Slayer is a band you either love or hate. If you like this album then you will probably like all of their other albums except perhaps for 'Undisputed Attitude' because it's mostly punk cover songs. Slayer has always been consistant in style and quality: they just never sold out like other speed/thrash bands like Metallica, etc. Otherwise, every album by Slayer rocks and this one is just as great with songs like 'War Ensemble', 'Expendable Youth' and 'Dead Skin Mask.' The ultimate mosh band. Enjoy!
April 7, 2008 |  | SLAYER SPENDS A SEASON IN THE ABYSS!! |  |
This album stays in the tradition of "SOUTH OF HEAVEN" & "REIGN IN BLOOD".
The blistering guitar riffs & the thundering drum beat, What METALHEAD wouldn't like this album.
From the very start of this album it will blast you into a totally different dimension having you hanging on for your pathetic life.
SLAYER is the best when it comes to METAL, Checkout "EXPANIBLE YOUTH" better yet checkout the whole album it will rock you and won't let go.
Keep this in mind this band started out hard and they haven't quit yet!!
I rate this CD a 9 from 1to10!!
April 3, 2008This is considered by most to be Slayer's peak.And who am I to disagree.This is Slayer firing on all cylinders,every side of the Slaytanic machine are represented here.The guitars sound like chainsaws from hell and the drums are like machinegun blasts of the apocalypse.War Ensemble is possibly the most vicious recording ever captured.Tom araya's voice is incredible,mixing up vocal styles throughout.Thrash,death,doom metal,Its all here.After the smoke settles Slayer stand far above the hordes of generic death and black metal bands and are still the most intense and extreme metal band on the planet.
March 1, 2008More reviews at Amazon.com ...
(5 reviews)