Review by MartinDavey87 for Slayer - Live Undead (1984)

Slayer’s ‘Live Undead’... Another 80’s metal live release with poorly overdubbed crowd noises! While I like Slayer, I’ve never really been a fan of their first few albums. With each release only garnering one or two tracks that I enjoy, it’s no surprise that I’m not massively keen on this 1984 EP either.

Featuring seven tracks, five of these are from Slayer’s debut album, which I’m not really into. Sure, the “live” feel of this release gives you an idea of the energy Slayer exuberate at their shows, but ultimately the repetitive and lifeless crowd noises that seemingly refuse to stop shouting during the songs don’t do anything to further my listening experience.

It’s well-produced though (minus the plugged in crowd noises), with the band sounding clear, and the performances are pretty solid, but... that’s about it. Supposedly this was recorded in a studio in front of a small crowd, but there’s no doubt in my mind that there was some kind of tomfoolery going on here. And even if there wasn’t, and it turns out this is, in fact, 100% live, unedited and un-tampered, then well done to Slayer for being able to rile up such a raucous crowd so early in their careers. But ultimately I’m still just not into these songs, and therefore just not into this EP.