Slayer / Netherlands 06.02.1985 Soundboard Edition

Here is the definitive master recording—featuring intense stereo soundboard audio—that hammers the demonic live energy of the “Metal Blade” era Slayer straight into your brain! This release captures the June 2, 1985, concert in Ruttenberch, Netherlands, via a stereo soundboard recording. 1985 was a landmark year when the band first ventured beyond their native USA to unleash their sonic brutality across Europe. Let’s first place this release in context by looking at their activities during that period, as they strove to break through the barriers of the mainstream music industry. Jan 3–Feb 9, 1985: North America #1 (7 shows) <<March: *Hell Awaits* released>> • Mar 15–Apr 23: North America #2 (19 shows) ← *The Ultimate Revenge* • May 26–Jun 24: Europe (20 shows) ← ★Here★ • Aug 17–Sep 29: North America #3 (12 shows) • Oct 24: Winnipeg show • Nov 15 & 16: Brooklyn (2 shows) 1986 • Feb 1–Mar 10: North America #4 (3 shows) • Aug 12: New York show <<Oct 7: *Reign in Blood* released>> • Oct 17–Dec 7: North America #5 (30 shows). Featuring sound engineering supervised by specialists specifically for thrash metal, this captures Slayer at the pivotal turning point of 1985–1986. The Ruttenberch show featured here marks the sixth concert of that European tour—their first-ever trek across the continent. As those familiar with the scene might have noticed, this is the same tour that produced the classic, essential live album *Hell Awaits in Germany Soundboard*. The performance featured here took place in Rottenburg, eighteen days (and eleven shows) prior to the previously known recording. Captured at this show is a soundboard recording of absolutely superb, truly ferocious quality. Sourced from a top-tier master provided by an overseas researcher, it delivers an extraordinary sound that sets a new benchmark for excellence. Each instrument is clearly defined—there is zero muddiness or “clumping” of the mix. Yet, the core of each instrument is incredibly thick, causing the sound to crash over the listener like a massive wall. And this is no ordinary wall; unlike the flat, uniform surface of a concrete or brick barrier, the twin guitar riffs and Dave Lombardo’s bass drum kicks possess a rugged, three-dimensional texture, with every note jutting out with startling intensity. To use a visual metaphor, it feels as though the jagged rock pillars of the Tojinbo cliffs were thrusting outward toward you all at once. The sound is far more powerful than that of the famous *Hell Awaits in Germany Soundboard* release; even that classic recording sounds somewhat tame and polite by comparison once you have experienced this one. It is, quite simply, a sound engineered solely to unleash the unique fury of thrash metal. I have listened to countless heavy metal live albums, but I cannot recall ever hearing a “steel-hard” sound this vivid and overwhelmingly intense. A “brutal thrash paradise” overflowing with early cult classics—this ferocious sound delivers a high-octane performance typical of their *Metal Blade* era. Since the setlist differs from that of the aforementioned *Hell Awaits in Germany Soundboard*, let us compare the two to clarify the differences. *Hell Awaits* (6 tracks): Hell Awaits / Kill Again (*) / Necrophiliac (★) / Praise Of Death (★*) / Hardening Of The Arteries (*) / At Dawn They Sleep. Plus others (7 tracks + 4 tracks)—*Show No Mercy*: Fight ‘Til Death / Black Magic / Die By The Sword / The Final Command (**) / Show No Mercy / Evil Has No Boundaries (★) / The Antichrist. *Haunting the Chapel*: Aggressive Perfector / Captor Of Sin / Haunting The Chapel / Chemical Warfare. *Note: Tracks marked “★” were not included on the acclaimed *Hell Awaits in Germany Soundboard* release. Tracks marked “*” are early-era songs that were not performed after Paul Bostaph joined the band. Tracks marked “**” are particularly rare, limited-run songs that were never performed after the band signed a major-label deal.* While the inclusion of “Necrophiliac” and “Evil Has No Boundaries”—absent from the *Hell Awaits in Germany Soundboard* release—is a treat, the collection of early-era tracks is an even greater delight. “Kill Again,” “Hardening Of The Arteries,” and “Praise Of Death” are numbers that ceased to be performed after Paul Bostaph joined the lineup in later years. “The Final Command,” in particular, is an ultra-rare track exclusive to this era; it was never performed live once the band signed to a major label. This recording captures the eve of their 1986 major-label assault, launched with the release of the historic masterpiece *Reign in Blood*. It was a miraculous period when the band’s raw power was surging to its absolute limit, yet they remained steeped in the potent, toxic atmosphere of the underground scene. This release immortalizes that fleeting, brilliant moment. Captured from a top-tier master tape held by an overseas collector, this is a brutal soundboard recording that stands tall and imposing—much like the rocky cliffs of Tojinbo. It is a ferocious stereo soundboard recording of the June 2, 1985, Ruttenberch concert, documenting the savage intensity of their “Metal Blade” era. This release features the definitive, best-quality master of a classic soundboard recording, sourced from an overseas researcher. It boasts clean separation—completely free of any muddy, congested sound—yet delivers a massive, solid core that hits with the force of a wall of sound. It is a cult thrash masterpiece packed with rare tracks like “The Final Command”—songs that were never heard again after the band signed a major-label deal. Zaal Elckerlyc, Luttenberg, The Netherlands – June 2, 1985. STEREO SBD (66:50) 1. Hell Awaits 2. Aggressive Perfector 3. Captor Of Sin 4. Fight ’till Death 5. Kill Again 6. Haunting The Chapel 7. Necrophiliac 8. Black Magic 9. Die By The Sword 10. Praise Of Death 11. The Final Command 12. Hardening Of The Arteries 13. At Dawn They Sleep 14. Show No Mercy 15. Evil Has No Boundaries 16. Chemical Warfare 17. The Antichrist. Tom Araya – bass, vocals; Kerry King – guitar; Jeff Hanneman – guitar; Dave Lombardo – drums. STEREO SOUNDBOARD RECORDING.