SLAYER '33 1/3: Reign in Blood' Author Interviewed On 'Heavy Metal Book Club' (Audio)

June 11, 2013

D.X. Ferris, author of "33 1/3: Reign in Blood", the first English-language book about SLAYER, was interviewed on the latest episode of the "Heavy Metal Book Club". You can now listen to the chat using the audio player below.

In the book, Ferris takes a documentary approach to the record and its impact. It explores the album's creation based on interviews with it creators, including the band, producer Rick Rubin (the Def Jam co-founder who then was known strictly as a rap producer),and engineer Andy Wallace (who later produced Jeff Buckley's "Grace" and mixed metal bands including SLIPKNOT). And 47 artists and fans weigh in on the album's enduring legacy.

Metal Maniacs magazine previously said: "To say that 'Reign in Blood' is mandatory reading for fans of the band and the album is ridiculously understated. Perhaps more importantly, the book is essential for anyone with an interest in heavy metal."

In a 2008 interview with Metal Sucks, Ferris stated about "33 1/3: Reign in Blood": "The band were all on board for the project. It's not an official, approved book, but management and Rubin thought it was a good idea, and the band agreed. That said, it was weird: They're a real tight-lipped bunch — not secretive or hush-hush, but just not real chatty or introspective, which was both refreshing and frustrating."

Asked if he learned anything about "Reign In Blood" that surprised him, Ferris said: "I think the biggest thing was what Rick Rubin didn't contribute to the record; don't get me wrong — he's probably the reason that 'Reign' isn't widely thought of as, as NIRVANA-SOUNDGARDEN-HIGH ON FIRE producer Jack Endino says in the book, 'some shitty little underground classic.' But I always figured Rubin was the difference between 'Hell Awaits'' seven-minute epic vampire songs and 'Reign''s three-minute rippers. But they had the music all but done by the time he signed them to Def Jam — which, of course, was the world's hottest rap label at the time. Odd match there. And [guitarist Jeff] Hanneman's original idea for 'Raining Blood', that’s probably my favorite nugget from the whole book."

Interview (audio):

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