South Of Heaven
1988 | Metal
“A vile smell, like tasting death. -- Dead bodies, dying and wounded litter the city streets. -- Shattered glass, bits of clothing and human deceit. -- Dying in terror, blood's cheap, it's everywhere. -- Mandatory suicide, massacre on the front line."
Trivia
- The Album hit #57 on the Billboard 200 chart.
- South Of Heaven was released on Def Jam Recordings in collaboration with producer Rick Rubin.
- The album was one of two titles to be distributed by Geffen Records through Warner Bros., as Def Jam's then-distributor Columbia refused to release work by the band.
THE HOT TAKES
Luke Tatum
Here's a lovely Ron Paul quote, though I am sure he's not the type to listen to Slayer: "Justifying conscription to promote the cause of liberty is one of the most bizarre notions ever conceived by man! Forced servitude, with the risk of death and serious injury as a price to live free, makes no sense." Slayer makes the same point here, though in much using a touch more aggressive terms.
Sherry Voluntary
Slayer. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways….. Once again Slayer slays by pulling no punches about exactly what war is. Whether you voluntarily signed your name on the dotted line, or you are drafted, it is mandatory that you commit suicide, literally or figuratively, for the sake of politicians and defense contractors.
Nicky P
This song lays out exactly what conscription is when you strip away the bullshit. It's the government telling you to take an action that ultimately ends in death. They're telling you to walk into gunfire. They're telling you to walk into enemy territory and fight. Sure you can choose not to and end up in prison as a draft dodger but that's simply offering you a different form of slavery. Simply put, fuck telling young men and now women to go kill themselves for any number of lies they've been brainwashed to believe.