South of Heaven

The decision to slow down after Reign in Blood was a gamble — the fastest album in metal history followed by something more deliberate, more atmospheric. South of Heaven (1988) proved that Slayer had more range than their reputation suggested.

South of Heaven, the title track, opens with a riff that descends with the weight of something collapsing: Araya's voice almost melodic, the pace allowing atmosphere to build rather than simply attack. Rick Rubin's production is crisper than anything the band had done.

The debate among Slayer fans over Reign in Blood vs. South of Heaven is one of heavy metal's most productive arguments — two different conceptions of what extremity can mean.