Slayer's sophomore effort, Hell Awaits, is a sonic onslaught that catapulted the band to the forefront of the thrash metal scene upon its release on 19 June 1985. Issued by Metal Blade Records, this 37-minute masterpiece is a testament to the band's unrelenting ferocity and technical prowess. With a tracklist that includes the eponymous 'Hell Awaits', 'Kill Again', 'At Dawn They Sleep', 'Praise of Death', 'Necrophiliac', 'Crypts of Eternity', and 'Hardening of the Arteries', Slayer seamlessly blends elements of thrash, speed, heavy, groove, and death metal to create a maelstrom of sound that is as brutal as it is beautiful. Hell Awaits is a landmark album in Slayer's discography, showcasing the band's ability to craft songs that are both aggressive and intricate, with Tom Araya's menacing vocals and Kerry King's and Jeff Hanneman's dual guitar attack creating a wall of sound that is nothing short of breathtaking. As a result, Hell Awaits remains an essential listen for fans of extreme music, and its influence can still be felt today, cementing Slayer's status as one of the most influential metal bands of all time.
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