All 12 Slayer Albums, Ranked By Fans
Copy link
Only studio albums .
- Photo:
- Def Jam
Slayer's third studio album quickly became a landmark in thrash metal. Produced by Rick Rubin, whose influence refined the band's sound, it received widespread acclaim for its precise, aggressive style, setting a new standard in the genre. Garnering praise from MTV and earning Decibel Magazine's Hall of Fame induction, the album featured controversial tracks like "Angel of Death" and crowd favorites such as "Raining Blood." Despite its short 29-minute runtime, it left a significant impact, even making Blender Magazine's list of top metal album covers. Its success propelled Slayer into mainstream recognition.
Tracklist:
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- Photo:
- Photo:
- Def Jam
Slayer's fourth studio album marked a significant shift in their musical direction. Produced by Rick Rubin, it reached number 57 on the Billboard 200 and was later certified gold in 1992. Despite mixed initial reviews, the album's slower tempo and undistorted guitars distinguished it from its predecessor, Reign in Blood. Songs like "Mandatory Suicide" and the title track became live staples. In 2013, it was inducted into the Decibel Magazine Hall of Fame, solidifying its legacy. Although some fans initially resisted the change, the album grew in esteem over time, showcasing Slayer's versatility.
Tracklist:
1. South of Heaven
2. Silent Scream
3. Live Undead
4. Behind the Crooked Cross
5. Mandatory Suicide
6. Ghosts of War
7. Read Between the Lies
8. Cleanse the Soul
9. Dissident Aggressor
10. Spill the Blood- Photo:
- Photo:
- Def American
Slayer's fifth studio album marked a crucial point in their career. It peaked at number 40 on the US Billboard 200 and was later certified gold in the US and Canada. Known for songs like "War Ensemble" and the title track, the album received generally positive reviews, blending the fast pace of earlier records with slower, darker themes. The music video for the title track won a Concrete Foundations Award for Best Video in 1991. By 2017, it had sold over 813,000 copies in the US, exemplifying Slayer’s lasting influence in thrash metal.
Tracklist:
1. War Ensemble
2. Blood Red
3. Spirit in Black
4. Expendable Youth
5. Dead Skin Mask
6. Hallowed Point
7. Skeletons of Society
8. Temptation
9. Born of Fire
10. Seasons in the Abyss- Photo:
- Photo:
- Metal Blade
Slayer's second studio album shook the metal world with its innovative blend of progressive songwriting and dark themes. Praised for its technicality, the album featured standout tracks like "At Dawn They Sleep" and the title track, with its chilling backward message, "join us." Garnering four out of five stars from critics who hailed it as ahead of its time, it sold over a million copies worldwide. Drummer Dave Lombardo cited the recording process as notably more professional than their first album, contributing to a sound that veered into complex and aggressive territories.
Tracklist:
1. Hell Awaits
2. Kill Again
3. At Dawn They Sleep
4. Praise of Death
5. Necrophiliac
6. Crypts of Eternity
7. Hardening of the Arteries- Photo:
- Photo:
- Metal Blade
Slayer's groundbreaking debut album created a significant impact in the metal scene despite initial criticisms of its production quality. Featuring popular tracks like "The Antichrist," "Die by the Sword," and "Black Magic," the album quickly rose to become Metal Blade's highest-selling release. This record didn't chart but generated impressive underground buzz, solidifying Slayer's presence in the thrash metal community. Financed by Tom Araya's job as a respiratory therapist and Kerry King's father's loan, the album embraced Satanic themes, which caught the attention of the Parents Music Resource Center, leading to heightened notoriety for the band.
Tracklist:
1. Evil Has No Boundaries
2. The Antichrist
3. Die by the Sword
4. Fight Till Death
5. Metalstorm / Face the Slayer
6. Black Magic
7. Tormentor
8. The Final Command
9. Crionics
10. Show No Mercy- Photo:
- Photo:
- American Recordings
Released on September 11, 2001, after a three-month recording stint in Vancouver, Slayer's ninth studio album intrigued and polarized critics. Featuring the Grammy-nominated song "Disciple," it marked their return to classic thrash metal. Despite delays linked to its controversial cover art, the album peaked at number 28 on the Billboard 200 and gained positive reviews for its brutal energy. AllMusic dubbed it nearly flawless, while Rolling Stone praised its relentless intensity. However, some critics like Blabbermouth’s Borivoj Krgin felt it lacked innovation. By 2009, it had sold over 319,000 copies in the U.S., solidifying its impact in the metal realm.
Tracklist:
1. Darkness of Christ
2. Disciple
3. God Send Death
4. New Faith
5. Cast Down
6. Threshold
7. Exile
8. Seven Faces
9. Bloodline
10. Deviance
11. War Zone
12. Here Comes the Pain
13. Payback- Photo:
- Photo:
- American Recordings
Released on November 3, 2009, after much anticipation, Slayer's eleventh studio album clinched a Grammy nomination for "World Painted Blood" and "Hate Worldwide." Despite not achieving significant commercial success, it peaked at number 12 on the Billboard 200. Notable tracks like "Psychopathy Red" showcased guitarist Jeff Hanneman's signature style, cementing the album's place in metal history.
Tracklist:
1. World Painted Blood
2. Unit 731
3. Snuff
4. Beauty Through Order
5. Hate Worldwide
6. Public Display of Dismemberment
7. Human Strain
8. Americon
9. Psychopathy Red
10. Playing with Dolls
11. Not of This God- Photo:
- Photo:
- American Recordings
Released amid much controversy on August 8, 2006, Slayer's tenth studio album saw the reunion of all four original members for the first time in sixteen years. The record's graphic cover art and provocative lyrics, notably in "Jihad," sparked protests and led to the destruction of all the Indian stocks. Despite this, it reached number 5 on the US Billboard 200, the band’s second highest chart position. Produced by Josh Abraham, the album garnered generally favorable reviews and featured Grammy Award-winning tracks "Eyes of the Insane" and "Final Six."
Tracklist:
1. Flesh Storm
2. Catalyst
3. Skeleton Christ
4. Eyes of the Insane
5. Jihad
6. Consfearacy
7. Catatonic
8. Black Serenade
9. Cult
10. Supremist- Photo:
- Photo:
- American Recordings
Released on September 27, 1994, after a four-year gap, Slayer’s sixth studio album brought new energy with Paul Bostaph replacing drummer Dave Lombardo. Despite challenges with explicit content, it peaked at number 8 on the Billboard 200, achieving Gold status. Critics praised tracks like "Killing Fields," "Serenity in Murder," and "Circle of Beliefs" for their intense themes drawn from war, madness, and historical figures. Artwork by Wes Benscoter featured a provocative image of a fan carving the band's name into his arm.
Tracklist:
1. Killing Fields
2. Sex. Murder. Art.
3. Fictional Reality
4. Dittohead
5. Divine Intervention
6. Circle of Beliefs
7. SS-3
8. Serenity in Murder
9. 213
10. Mind Control- Photo:
- Photo:
- Nuclear Blast
Released amidst lineup changes and the absence of guitarist Jeff Hanneman, Slayer's twelfth and final studio album debuted on September 11, 2015, and marked a notable achievement. Featuring three singles, "Repentless," "You Against You," and "Pride in Prejudice," the album climbed to no. 4 on the Billboard 200, the band's highest-charting debut in the U.S. Despite mixed reactions from critics, it topped charts in Germany and reached the top ten in nearly twenty countries worldwide. With Paul Bostaph back on drums and Gary Holt on guitar, this record brought a renewed energy, produced by Terry Date and breaking a six-year silence since their previous release.
Tracklist:
1. Delusions of Saviour
2. Repentless
3. Take Control
4. Vices
5. Cast the First Stone
6. When the Stillness Comes
7. Chasing Death
8. Implode
9. Piano Wire
10. Atrocity Vendor
11. You Against You
12. Pride in Prejudice- Photo:
- Photo:
- American Recordings
Launched on June 9, 1998, amid high expectations, Slayer's eighth studio album ventured into experimental territory, incorporating a groove-based style and C♯ tuning. Despite its departure from traditional thrash elements, it climbed to number 31 on the Billboard 200, selling over 46,000 copies in the first week. Critically, opinions were divided; many praised it for its innovative edge, highlighting tracks like "Bitter Peace" and "Stain of Mind," while others criticized its repetitive nature. It received mixed yet notable acclaim, combining Slayer’s signature heaviness with the then-popular nu metal trends, ultimately sparking discussions across the metal community.
Tracklist:
1. Bitter Peace
2. Death's Head
3. Stain of Mind
4. Overt Enemy
5. Perversions of Pain
6. Love to Hate
7. Desire
8. In the Name of God
9. Scrum
10. Screaming from the Sky
11. Point- Photo:
- Photo:
- American Recordings
Slayer's seventh studio album featured mostly punk rock and hardcore punk covers, along with Jeff Hanneman's side project tracks and the original song "Gemini." Despite its mixed reception, the album reached number 34 on the Billboard 200 and number 16 on the Australian Albums chart. Critics appreciated its raw energy, highlighting its tribute to influential punk bands. Notable covers included songs by Minor Threat, the Stooges, and Verbal Abuse.
Tracklist:
1. Disintegration/Free Money
2. Verbal Abuse/Leeches
3. Abolish Government/Superficial Love
4. Can't Stand You
5. DDAMM (Drunk Drivers Against Mad Mothers)
6. Guilty of Being White
7. I Hate You
8. Filler/I Don't Want to Hear It
9. Spiritual Law
10. Mr. Freeze
11. Violent Pacification
12. Richard Hung Himself
13. I'm Gonna Be Your God
14. Gemini- Photo:
