Sometimes an Album Battle isn’t about two albums released in the same year. Sometimes it’s simply about two records that landed on the same day, years apart.
On October 7th, Slayer unleashed “Reign in Blood”. One year later, Exodus followed with “Pleasures of the Flesh”.
Both came from the American thrash metal explosion of the 1980s, but the stories behind them couldn’t be more different.
So if you could buy only one, which one are you taking home?
Slayer – “Reign in Blood”
Released on October 7th, 1986, “Reign in Blood” was Slayer third studio album and their first release through Def Jam Recordings.
It was also the first Slayer album produced by Rick Rubin, whose involvement helped push the band sound into something even more direct and intense.
At just 28 minutes and 51 seconds, the album doesn’t waste much time. It hits hard, moves fast and keeps going.
The record became one of the defining albums of the emerging American thrash scene alongside releases such as Metallica’s Master of Puppets, Megadeth’s Peace Sells… but Who’s Buying? and Anthrax’s Among the Living.
It was Slayer first album to enter the US Billboard 200, eventually reaching No. 94, and was certified Gold in 1992.
But “Reign in Blood” wasn’t without controversy.
The release was delayed because of concerns surrounding “Angel of Death” which deals with Josef Mengele and the human experimentation carried out at Auschwitz. Slayer defended the song, explaining that they were exploring the subject rather than supporting Nazism.
The cover also became legendary. Created by artist Larry Carroll, its disturbing imagery was initially disliked by some members of the band.
And then there’s Dave Lombardo.
His drumming helped drive the album relentless attack, with many tracks moving around the 200–220 BPM range.
Not bad for an album that the band originally worried might simply be too short.
Exodus – “Pleasures of the Flesh”
One year later, on October 7th, 1987, Exodus released “Pleasures of the Flesh”.
It was the band second studio album and the first to feature Steve “Zetro” Souza on vocals after Paul Baloff left the band.
The album had already gone through a complicated journey before it even reached the shelves. Writing and recording took two years, while Exodus continued touring behind “Bonded by Blood”.
Baloff didn’t perform on the final album, but his presence remained. He received writing credits on “Brain Dead”, “Seeds of Hate” and “Pleasures of the Flesh” and demos featuring him singing the songs circulated among fans.
Then there was the original cover.
Exodus were originally portrayed as cannibals preparing and eating a meal made from “metal posers”. The artwork was considered too much for major retail chains, forcing Combat Records to replace it with the photo of the band leaning against a bar.
Before the change, the label had already advertised the album in music magazines with the unforgettable slogan:
“Metal’s Heaviest Meal”.
The original artwork wasn’t completely lost, though. It later appeared on a limited-edition picture disc.
Musically, the album also divided opinion, with some critics criticizing its production while others praised the aggressive thrash attack.
Despite the mixed reception “Pleasures of the Flesh” reached No. 82 on the Billboard 200.
Same day. Different stories.
“Reign in Blood” arrived in 1986 as one of the defining statements of American thrash, with Rick Rubin, Def Jam and the legendary Slayer lineup of Tom Araya, Kerry King, Jeff Hanneman and Dave Lombardo.
A year later, Exodus delivered “Pleasures of the Flesh” during a major transition for the band, with a new vocalist, the shadow of Paul Baloff and one of metal most infamous rejected album covers.
Two albums. Two years. Same release date.
Now imagine you’re standing in a record store with money for ONE album.
🤘 Which one are you taking home?
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