"What? How can you possibly value Hell Awaits over Seasons In The Abyss?" There is no doubt that many readers will be screaming that question at their screens right about now. To some extent they'd be absolutely correct, because Hell Awaits isn't as impactful or as stunning an album as Seasons In The Abyss. It's not even close, really. So if it's not as good, then why is it placed higher? Hell Awaits merits second place on this list because it is the second most important album that Slayer has ever released. It still sounds weird and extreme to this day, and only its successor would match (well, better) the influence upon extreme metal that Slayer's second album would have. Hell Awaits is a lot more extreme than Show No Mercy. The growth between the two releases is incredible. Where SNM, great though it is, could really have been produced by any metal band of the time, Hell Awaits sounded like an animal upon its release. It opens slowly and menacingly, whispered and growled incantations over the sound of static being followed by a rolling riff and militaristic rhythm. So far, so metal. However, by the end of the opening track the audience has been subjected to some of the craziest drumming, noisiest guitar solos, and creepiest multi-layered vocals the band has ever produced. Actually, much of Hell Awaits doesn't really sound like the Slayer that would take the world to task on its next release. Its far more raw and unpolished, and some of the vocals exhibit real death metal growling (a technique that would be quickly dropped in favour of Araya's less abrasive shouting style). The bass is more prominent than on later releases. The solos, still incredibly fast, are often so unfocused that they sound improvised. It is a truly ugly release. It is also absolutely brilliant. Hell Awaits may not be as polished or celebrated as Slayer's follow-up, but it is so hideously weird that its impact upon extreme metal genres cannot be understated. That's why it deserves to be so high up on this list.
