Slayer’s classic 1983 debut album, Show No Mercy, is set to receive a 40th anniversary edition vinyl reissue via Metal Blade.
The reissue arrives February 9th in two configurations. The first is a “deluxe-edition” style set featuring a slipcase that houses the LP on “Gold Black Dust” colored vinyl, a turntable slipmat, poster, replica show flyers, and a signing card. It retails for $64.99.
Alternatively, hardcore Slayer fans might be tempted by the extremely limited “Blood Filled” liquid vinyl variant. Limited to 250 copies worldwide, the LP itself is a wonder to behold, as it appears to be actually filled with blood. It would appear the vinyl required a costly production process, as this edition — which does not include the aforementioned ephemera in the standard “deluxe” version — will set you back $199.99 (though the record is sure to become a collectible).
Both copies feature a fresh remastering job by Patrick W. Engel, who mastered the album for vinyl from the original master tapes at Temple of Disharmony in May 2023.
Show No Mercy is considered one of the most influential heavy metal recordings of all-time. Pre-dating the many thrash bands that would follow in Slayer’s wake, the debut from the Bay Area band saw guitarists Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King melding melodic NWOBHM riffs with a more aggressive energy, catalyzed by the powerhouse drumming of Dave Lombardo. Bassist/singer Tom Araya’s mix of high falsettos and spitfire sing-speak retained the theatrical quality of classic metal, but also had a sinister, “possessed” quality to it, which he would further emphasize on the albums to follow.
Highlights like “The Antichrist” and “Die by the Sword” became career staples, and the overall Satanic imagery of the lyrics and artwork would lay the groundwork for a generation of black metal artists inspired by such aesthetics.
You can pre-order the Show No Mercy 40th anniversary edition LPs via Metal Blade’s merch site. See product photos below.
Slayer Show No Mercy reissue, via Metal Blade
Show No Mercy 40th Anniversary Edition Tracklist:
Side A
01. Evil Has No Boundaries
02. The Antichrist
03. Die by the Sword
04. Fight Till Death
05. Metal Storm / Face the Slayer
Side B
06. Black Magic
07. Tormentor
08. The Final Command
09. Crionics
10. Show No Mercy
