Slayer's Reign in Blood (33 1/3) [Paperback]

D. X. Ferris (Author)

Book Description

Series: 33 1/3 | Publication Date: June 1, 2008

Issued on America's premier rap label at the peak of the thrash metal movement, Slayer's controversial Reign in Blood remains the gold standard for extreme heavy metal, a seamless 29-minute procession of ten blindingly fast, apocalyptic songs. The first English book about Slayer explores the creation of the most universally respected metal album and its long road to the stores, through original interviews with the entire band, producer Rick Rubin, engineer Andy Wallace, cover artist Larry Carroll, and Def Jam insiders from Russell Simmons to M.C. Serch. From Tori Amos to Pantera's Phil Anselmo, dozens of fans and artists discuss the record's ongoing impact and Slayer's status in the small fraternity of rock's greatest groups.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I can tell you this- if you hold Slayer's Reign in Blood in your holy trinity of album releases that would go with you to your metal desert island, then this is definitely your new favorite book." —addictedtovinyl.com

"Overall, 33 1/3: Reign in Blood will thrill those who've carved SLAYER into their skin (it's more common among fans than you'd think), as well as pique the interest of hard-rock aficionados curious about Slayer but who've not taken the sanguinity plunge yet."—OC Weekly

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" 'Reign in Blood' is notable for its brutality, but as the defining manifesto of thrash metal, it is transcendent for its purity. To love rock & roll is to love subcultures, and D.X. Ferris has explained, in stunning detail, how one subculture was defined and galvanized by that single album, and why that definition will never need to be written again." - David Giffels, co-author of "Are We Not Men? We Are Devo!" and author of "All the Way Home: Building a Family in a Falling-down House"

"A short, intense, meticulous history of Reign In Blood and really, the whole band... The result is an authorized, damn perfect look at this one album."

— Martin Popoff, editor in chief of Brave Words Bloody Knuckles, author of Judas Priest: Heavy Metal Painkillers and Black Sabbath: Doom Let Loose

"D.X. Ferris has written an academic and thought-provoking book while at the same time presenting it as a general reader. Ferris does not give in to the tendency of 'dumbing down' metal; instead, he puts forth a very well argued statement that Slayer's 'Reign In Blood' is a classic album and should be treated as such."

— Laura Kowalewski and Andrew Carpenter, Ballet Deviare

"If you don't learn something from this book then you are a liar."

— Sage Francis

"Ferris interviewed everyone who's anyone so he could deliver the last word on Slayer's first metal masterpiece. Rock-solid rock joürnalism that deserves its umlauts."

— Dan LeRoy, author of 33 1/3: Paul's Boutique and The Greatest Music Never Sold: Secrets of Legendary Lost Albums by David Bowie, Seal, Beastie Boys, Chicago, Mick Jagger, and More!

"D.X. Ferris breaks it all down person-by-person and track-by-track to separate fact from fiction, retracing the origins, occasional pitfalls and eventual triumph that brought forth in his words, 'the greatest heavy metal album ever.'... The book untangles a number of assumptions related to the band that should surprise even longtime fans.... The book provides not only a good introduction to the band, but capably answers on all fronts regarding the album in question.... Ferris pens a clean and even story; flashes his bona fides outright and is passionate enough about the work to sustain that fervor through to the end. "

— Todd DePalma, The Left Hand Path

"D.X. Ferris's recent 33 1/3 book devoted to Reign In Blood is excellent."

— Joel McIver, author of Slayer biography The Bloody Reign of Slayer

"Declares Ferris, 'I wanted to present the story in a way that's compelling to both rabid Slayer fans and to NPR listeners who love pop music but have never lost a shoe in a mosh pit' — and he largely succeeds."

— Dave Segal, OC Weekly

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"Writer D.X. Ferris pulls off an admirable tightrope walk. As both a fan and a critic, Ferris manages to convey a sense of excitement about the album even as he pulls the reader headfirst into the world of Slayer. By talking to band members, other musicians, friends and other people around the band at the time, hardcore fans..even respected studio engineer Andy Wallace...Ferris pulls together as complete a picture of the making of Reign in Blood as you'll likely ever read." —Trademark of quality blog

“I can tell you this- if you hold Slayer’s Reign in Blood in your holy trinity of album releases that would go with you to your metal desert island, then this is definitely your new favorite book.” —addictedtovinyl.com

“Overall, 33 1/3: Reign in Blood will thrill those who’ve carved SLAYER into their skin (it’s more common among fans than you’d think), as well as pique the interest of hard-rock aficionados curious about Slayer but who’ve not taken the sanguinity plunge yet.”—OC Weekly

Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4

" 'Reign in Blood' is notable for its brutality, but as the defining manifesto of thrash metal, it is transcendent for its purity. To love rock & roll is to love subcultures, and D.X. Ferris has explained, in stunning detail, how one subculture was defined and galvanized by that single album, and why that definition will never need to be written again." - David Giffels, co-author of "Are We Not Men? We Are Devo!" and author of "All the Way Home: Building a Family in a Falling-down House"

"A short, intense, meticulous history of Reign In Blood and really, the whole band… The result is an authorized, damn perfect look at this one album."

— Martin Popoff, editor in chief of Brave Words Bloody Knuckles, author of Judas Priest: Heavy Metal Painkillers and Black Sabbath: Doom Let Loose

"Ferris interviewed everyone who's anyone so he could deliver the last word on Slayer's first metal masterpiece. Rock-solid rock joürnalism that deserves its umlauts."

— Dan LeRoy, author of 33 1/3: Paul's Boutique and The Greatest Music Never Sold: Secrets of Legendary Lost Albums by David Bowie, Seal, Beastie Boys, Chicago, Mick Jagger, and More!

“D.X. Ferris breaks it all down person-by-person and track-by-track to separate fact from fiction, retracing the origins, occasional pitfalls and eventual triumph that brought forth in his words, 'the greatest heavy metal album ever.’… The book untangles a number of assumptions related to the band that should surprise even longtime fans…. The book provides not only a good introduction to the band, but capably answers on all fronts regarding the album in question…. Ferris pens a clean and even story; flashes his bona fides outright and is passionate enough about the work to sustain that fervor through to the end. “

— Todd DePalma, The Left Hand Path

Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4

“Writer D.X. Ferris pulls off an admirable tightrope walk. As both a fan and a critic, Ferris manages to convey a sense of excitement about the album even as he pulls the reader headfirst into the world of Slayer. By talking to band members, other musicians, friends and other people around the band at the time, hardcore fans..even respected studio engineer Andy Wallace…Ferris pulls together as complete a picture of the making of Reign in Blood as you’ll likely ever read.” –Trademark of quality blog

Review

"Reign In Blood is notable for its brutality, but as the defining manifesto of thrash metal, it is transcendent for its purity. To love rock & roll is to love subcultures, and D.X. Ferris has explained, in stunning detail, how one subculture was defined and galvanized by that single album, and why that definition will never need to be written again."

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Continuum (June 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0826429092
• ISBN-13: 978-0826429094
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #460,900 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Reign in Boooooooook!, June 16, 2008

By 

Blood Read - See all my reviews

This review is from: Slayer's Reign in Blood (33 1/3) (Paperback)

The typical analysis or oral history of SLAYER usually comes down to their passionate fans yelling out "F-KING SLAYER!" or people on the other side that dismiss them as childish. D.X. Ferris has delivered a fascinating read with much more substance. Focused on the undeniable classic thrash album "Reign in Blood", Ferris explores everything about the band from the musical recording of the album, the always bizarre behind the scenes record industry maneuvering, and puts the career of a legendary band into perspective.
A thorough book about an iconic album which is their brutal masterpiece, with quotes from not only the band members and people who worked on the album, but a never-ending stream of metal peers and those influenced by this musical touchstone. A mandatory (suicide) read for every SLAYER fan, and hopefully for those who write them off as Satanic Nazis and don't bother to learn more. A great read.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Death to sell outs!!!, June 18, 2008

By 

Brian A. Hickam "glascow3000" (Toledo, Ohio, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Slayer's Reign in Blood (33 1/3) (Paperback)

Ferris has done his homework and interviewed a sufficient number of people, especially those directly involved. He's obviously a huge fan also, which any author who tackles one of these 33 1/3 books should be. The book is a highly enjoyable and informative read, even for those of us who remember waiting for this release. I learned a few things. "Reign In Blood" holds up incredibly well and, as the author and those interviewed state, it continues to be highly influential. I give much respect to the editors of this series for including it.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Required reading for metal fans, July 19, 2008

By 

Paul Hooper - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Slayer's Reign in Blood (33 1/3) (Paperback)

This book should be required reading for any metal fan.

The interviews are consistently interesting and give the reader a good sense of the real metal scene of the 80's. This book ain't about fluffy haired poseurs and their power-ballads.

Ferris provides everything you ever wanted to know about the record Reign In Blood, and tons of info on thrash metal in general. Even if you don't particularly care for Slayer, this book goes beyond the band and provides rare insight into the era of now-classic thrash.