Review by ZeroSymbolic7188 for Slayer - Show No Mercy (1983)

The "Big 4" of Thrash Metal; Anthrax, Megadeth, Metallica, and FUCKIN' SLAYER! (you have to yell it that way). All excellent in their own way, but today we come to speak of SLAYER!

Of the big 4, SLAYER is the most evil sounding and aggressive by a fair margin, and they have have a plethora of legendary albums; Show no Mercy, South of Heaven, and the often hailed "greatest thrash album of all time" Reign in Blood, are just scratching the surface of a discography that rarely misses (we don't talk about Diabolous in Musica). 

I own every album, and this one right here is my favorite. For me it's just a little bit more catchy and it has a certain magic about it that I can't put my finger on. The band sites Venom, Judas Priest, Mercyful Fate, and Iron Maiden as it's influences for this album, so you know you're dealing with some serious shit. 

The album presses the gas pedal to the floor from the blistering opening riffs of "Evil Has no Boundaries", and keeps it to the floor throughout the entire album. It's one of those albums that just drops the hammer for a little over a half an hour and relentlessly kicks your ass the whole time. Every song on it deserves your time, there are no skips, and no time to catch your breath. 

If you enjoy Metallica's Kill Em All, but want something even faster and darker then look no further. 

Fun Fact: Heavy Metal Drumming royalty, Gene Hoglan, Sings some of the backing vocals on the opener.