Slayer- Show No Mercy
Fast lyrics, fast instruments and an overall evil presence that defines the very word, 'SLAYER'. Tom Araya's 'theatrical' vocal style is reminiscent of Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson. Although it sounds as if Tom plays catch up with the rapid guitar leads, he plays it off with a long range of 'war cry falsettos' and an enduring, almost storytelling vocal style. Before a time of computer-accurate instrumentals, bands like Slayer were incorporating raw talent, in this case Hanneman and King's guitars, into their sound; a sound of rebellious Rock n Roll and evil thinking.

If you are inexperienced with Slayer, I'd recommend you start with 'Show No Mercy' to understand and learn the beginning stages of what they would become which is, undoubtedly, Heavy Metal Icons.

Great Start
I picked this album up just to add it to my slayer collection actually. But i was blown back by it. I dont care that it's kinda cheesy and the production sucks a bit, this is probably my favorite slayer album. Its just good fun, pure thrash metal. It also has my personal favorite slayer song tormentor. The song just gives me chills everytime i hear it. Other great songs are evil has no boundaries(doesnt slayer just have a knack for making kickass openers?), the antichrist, die by the sword, and black magic.

Larval
Slayer's first album has not held up all that well, especially if you're cruel enough to judge it relative to their next few records. They're a bit larval here. Their musical growth and, uh, evil satanic menace growth or whatever between this and Hell Awaits is absolutely amazing. By my count this ten-track debut has only three good songs on it: "Die By the Sword," "Black Magic" and "The Antichrist." And on that last I just have to laugh aloud at how petulantly pubescent Tom Araya sounds while screaming, "I am the antichrist!" To take the song at all seriously you have to listen to the live version on Decade of Aggression. On the plus side, the part at the beginning of "Metal Storm" where King and Hanneman play the same riff over and over together with no accompaniment sounds pretty cool, even if the rest of the song sucks. So if you're not much of a Slayer fan don't bother; they have some much better albums. But if you're like me and you loves you your Slayer, then it's worth satisfying your curiosity about their first album. It's kinda fun.

Song by song:

A1 Evil Has No Boundaries **
A2 The Antichrist ***
A3 Die by the Sword ***
A4 Fight Till Death **
A5 Metal Storm / Face the Slayer **
B1 Black Magic ***
B2 Tormentor *
B3 The Final Command *
B4 Crionics **
B5 Show No Mercy **

The birth of a legend.
The big four.
Slayer,Metallica,Megadeth, and Anthrax. Scratch Anthrax, I never liked them anyway. Replace them with Testament.
Slayer has consistently released quality album after album starting with this one.
A masterpeice that has withstood the test of time.
From start to finish.
Brutal,evil,scary, everything metal should be.
Slayer has only, after 25 years started to be recognized for their contributions.
And it's about time.
If your new to Slayer, this is a great place to start.

The Birth of Thrash
Great first album by Slayer. A little more raw and not as polished as some of their later stuff but still Slayer at its best. A band you either love or hate. Slayer has always been true to their origins and if you like what's on this album you'll probably like everything else they've recorded except perhaps for 'Undisputed Attitude' which is mostly punk cover songs. Slayer rules!