Slayer | Hell Awaits (40th Anniversary Edition)

SLAYER’s iconic second studio album, 'Hell Awaits', is set to receive a 40th anniversary edition reissue via Metal Blade Records!

Formed in 1981, SLAYER assaulted the world with a new hybrid of metal and punk – heavier, faster, and darker than the rest – and set a new standard, defining not only a genre, but an attitude. Throughout SLAYER's history, the band never faltered in unleashing their extreme and focused aural assault, and repudiating temptations, SLAYER always chose to remain crushing and brutal, steadfastly refusing to cater to the mainstream.

“It’s the record where SLAYER became SLAYER.” That’s what Kerry King says about 'Hell Awaits'. And he knows of what he speaks. As the band’s guitarist, co-songwriter, and co-lyricist, he was in the trenches with vocalist/bassist Tom Araya, guitarist Jeff Hanneman (R.I.P.), and drummer Dave Lombardo, creating what has become one of heavy metal’s greatest albums.

A significant departure from SLAYER’s 1983 debut, 'Show No Mercy' – and every SLAYER album that came after it – 'Hell Awaits' is both an outlier and a solidification of form. 'Show No Mercy' was the mission statement, but 'Hell Awaits' is a more developed and intricate execution of SLAYER’s speed, chops, and aggression.

The 'Hell Awaits' 40th Anniversary Edition includes the original 7-track album + 18 live bonus tracks (Live From Bochum 1985) never before released. In addition, both the 3LP box set and the 3CD Earbook edition include a 60-page large format book. The 3LP box set also comes with a replica ticket from the Bochum concert, replica 'Hell Awaits' tour laminate, 'Hell Awaits' tour poster (German dates), slipmat, band posters, replica merch flyer, replica Satanic Wehrmacht newsletter and two flyers.