Continuum Books’ “33 1/3: Reign in Blood”, the first English-language book about Slayer, is now on sale. The book made its world debut at Square Records in Akron, Ohio Saturday, May 31. The first three copies were signed by author D.X. Ferris, on sale for a special price of $6.66, and numbered 6, 66, and 666.
“33 1/3: Reign in Blood” explores the creation of the most universally respected metal album, its long road to stores, its ongoing influence, and the history of the greatest thrash band.
Ferris conducted dozens of interviews specifically for the book, talking to all members of Slayer, producer Rick Rubin, engineer Andy Wallace, cover artist Larry Carroll, and Def Jam insiders from Russell Simmons to MC Serch. From Tori Amos to Pantera’s Phil Anselmo, a host of fans and artists discuss the record’s ongoing impact and Slayer’s status in the small fraternity of rock’s greatest groups.
Slayer’s controversial “Reign in Blood” set the gold standard for extreme heavy metal. The Los Angeles metal kings recorded their major-label debut with producer Rick Rubin (a future Grammy winner them known strictly for creating hip-hop) and engineer Andy Wallace (who would later produce Jeff Buckley and mix Nirvana).
Issued on America’s premier rap label (Def Jam) at the pinnacle of the thrash movement, the album is a seamless 29-minute procession of 10 blindingly fast songs, delivered in furiously precise musical bursts, with apocalyptic lyrics so striking that Tori Amos was moved to record a cover. The improbable team behind the record permanently fused classic rock’s technical proficiency, hardcore punk’s speed, and metal’s brute power.
“The book’s about three things,” says Ferris. “One, how ‘Reign in Blood’ came be, from Def Jam recruiting Slayer to its recording.
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