Slayer Celebrate 35th Anniversary Of ‘Seasons In The Abyss’ With Track-By-Track Video

Slayer is celebrating the 35th anniversary of their classic 1990 album, Seasons In The Abyss, by opening their archives to the fans. The thrash metal legends have released a new, in-depth, track-by-track video feature where Tom Araya and Kerry King discuss the album’s creation, and have also announced a new line of limited-edition, signed memorabilia from that iconic era.

The celebration was launched on Friday, October 10, via the band’s official online museum, Slaytanic Verses. The centerpiece of the event is a new video documentary that sees Araya and King sharing the “backstories behind all ten of the tracks” on the landmark album.

In addition to the video, the band is offering a new series of “exclusive, signed band collectibles and memorabilia.” These include art pieces inspired by the album’s famous video shoot, early artwork sketches, and a RIAA gold plaque, all of which are hand-signed by Tom Araya and Kerry King.

Released on October 9, 1990, Seasons In The Abyss is one of the most revered albums in thrash metal history. Produced by Rick Rubin, the album spawned the band’s first-ever music video for the title track. The iconic video was filmed in a daring and historic move at the Giza Plateau in Egypt, in the shadow of the Great Sphinx.

The filming took place in December 1990, just as the United States was preparing for Operation Desert Storm, adding an “eerie” and politically charged atmosphere to the clip. Tom Araya later reflected on the experience of filming in such a historic location.

“When we floated down the Nile, I remember thinking, ‘Wow, Moses went down this water,'” Araya told Rolling Stone. “To me, the history of what went on 3,000, 4,000 years ago was so cool.”

Seasons in the Abyss tracklist:

1. “War Ensemble“
2. “Blood Red“
3. “Spirit In Black“
4. “Expendable Youth“
5. “Dead Skin Mask“
6. “Hallowed Point“
7. “Skeletons Of Society“
8. “Temptation“
9. “Born Of Fire“
10. “Seasons In The Abyss“