There is no volume loud enough for this song!

This song changed my life forever. I normally never listened through an entire album from beginning to end, but after the first riffs of Hell Awaits I just couldn't stop. So even if there is a possibility that Reign in Blood is an even better album, for me Hell Awaits was something special. I was socially awkward, addicted to horror movies, role playing and my Commodore 64 (or maybe I even still had my VIC 20). School sucked, parents sucked, girls were hard to get, alcohol and the occasional herb soothed the pain. And Slayer, of course. Man, how could such a dark time in my life bring back such happy memories?

For those of us who grew up with this music, lived life, changed, and are now listening to this again, Welcome Back and for those who never left, I wish you good fortune in the wars to come.

Who still listen in 2024? 🤘🏻

This is my theme song when I wake up for work

The demons at the beginning sends chills down your spine

This is a terrific funeral song

best intro riff ever.

First heard this in the spring of 86. I was sitting in my best friends chevelle before high school in the parking lot. He bought it the day before along with a few other used tapes at our local record store. We couldn't believe what we were hearing. I talked him into skipping school and we drove around all morning getting stoned and cranking this as loud as it would go. Good times! FUCKING SLAYER!!!!

First Slayer track I heard that got me into Thrash metal when I was a teenager

Verse 1] Existing on damnation's edge The priest had never known To witness such a violent show Of power overthrown Angels fighting aimlessly Still dying by the sword Our legions killing all in sight To get the one called Lord [Chorus] The gates of Hell lie waiting, as you see There's no price to pay, just follow me I can take your lost soul from the grave Jesus knows your soul cannot be saved [Post-Chorus] Crucify your so-called Lord He soon shall fall to me Your souls are damned, your God has fell To slave for me eternally Hell awaits... [Verse 2] The reaper guards the darkened gates That Satan calls his home The demons feed the furnace where The dead are free to roam Lonely children of the night There's seven ways to go Each leading to the burning hole That Lucifer controls [Chorus] Priests of Hades seek the sacred star Satan sees the answer lies not far Zombies, screaming souls, cry out to you Satanic law prevails, your life is through [Bridge] Pray to the moon... when it is round Death with you shall then abound For what you seek for can't be found In sea or sky or underground [Guitar Solo: Jeff Hanneman] [Verse 3] Now I have you deep inside My everlasting grasp The seven bloody gates of Hell Is where you'll live your last Warriors from Hell's domain Will bring you to your death The flames of Hades burning strong Your soul shall never rest [Chorus] The gates of Hell lie waiting, as you see There's no price to pay, just follow me I can take your lost soul from the grave Jesus knows your soul cannot be saved [Post-Chorus] Sacrifice the lives of all I know they soon shall die Their souls are damned to rot in Hell And keep the fires growing deep inside Hell awaits... [Guitar Solo: Kerry King]

a good morning song

To this day, STILL the BEST Slayer album. Pure evilness

One of the top 5 greatest songs by Slayer.

I remember when this album came out in 1984 smokin tree in my friends basement blowing our hits out the window hoping her parents didn't smell it. Listening to this album on a loop. Good times. We were 14 just starting our freshman yr in high school.

This is the song that got me into Slayer, that intro just fucking destroys.

what an intro! masterpiece!

I grew up in the 80's, have been a metal fan all my life... and I still believe this is the best "intro" ever to any metal song...the intro itself has 3 amazing riffs in it...absolutely awesome!

In 1985 I was 15, my sister was 9 and she started crying when she heard Tom Araya's voice.

this is my favorite slayer album.

Intresting fact: The intro of the song is join us, join us, join us then Satan Laughs but you have to reverse the song. \m/

The best music to be at school in my years of the 80s. One could burn classrooms, fight, bully others, and only listen to heavy metal and trash metal ooooooooooo, what wonderful things we have. This generation of now, never compares to those times.

I could listen to just the double bass drums and "chugga-chugga" guitar (the sections that come in at 1:35 and 2:27) for hours on end! This stuff was MADE for head-banging! \\m//

one of my all time favorites. one of the earlier records i've listened but after all these years i just keep coming back to this. truly a classic.

*_When the song kicks in at the beginning of always reminded me of a freight train haulin ass down the tracks!_* *_when I was a teenager I used to walk the tracks in day or night and I always had my boom box with me. One time I on acid and was Jammin this on cassette and realized it was like a train when all of a sudden one was coming down the tracks!!_* *_Its a miracle I was never killed on those tracks in Newark, Delaware back in the mid 80's!_*

Dave's double kick drumming.....off the charts back in 85

The intro sounds like a creepy British man saying "son, you're hot" lol

Rick Rubin NEVER produced a Slayer record as great as this. I love all the 80s Slayer albums, don't get me wrong but this one was the best IMO.

2:16 Still arguably the most badass riff of all time in my opinion.

Slayer - keeping it authentic since their inception. I thank them for all the wonderful times, especially when getting over a break-up.

Play this song at exactly 3 minutes and 12 seconds before the New Year. Most Metal New Year’s Eve song ever!

if you dont like Slayer.... HELL AWAITS FOR YOU

"Join us" (backwards) and then "Welcome back" never fails to give me goosebumps. Fucking epic.

This will always be my favorite Slayer album…for the same reason that Justice will probably always be my favorite Metallica album. When a band stretches their legs a bit and explores some new territory (while still in their creative prime), it occasionally ends up being totally next-level. Hendrix, Zeppelin, Stone Temple Pilots, Run DMC, Alice In Chains, Metallica, Slayer…all groups who took risks early in their careers with god-level results.

Death is forever

The most Metal of all! Hard drum lines backed by solid bass and guitar riffs!! This album still hits it hard and fast!!! Jam on this album in your basement or garage!!! Pure metal flowing trough your veins!!! Learn these chords and you have a good foundation for the future of metal!!!

We will meet again in Hell and celebrate Slayer

One of the best metal songs ever recorded in history period, Slayer's theme song..

I am catholic and I go to church always but I love this song and other Slayer songs

What an intro! Clocking in at over three minutes, and every second counts. I love it.

Over their career, Slayer have blessed us with many amazing songs. But this is hands down their greatest party banger! ♥

one of the heaviest and best riffs in all of metal!!this song bleeds riffs!!

Trip back high school 1980s fine memories . And blistering metal .

I was listening to this song on full blast walking into my first day of high school. Fitting lmao

I'm an Hispanic Native American, most people would think of me as 😈 listening to music like this, but since I was younger, I liked dark music like this, there can't be good without a dark side.

this intro scared me when it came out, I was 13 and I was impressionable... too much.

Hell Awaits, sinners. Such a straight up diabolical record. Crank it up and you can smell the sulfur. I imagine Old Scratch, Lucifer Morningstar, at the mixing board, wisps of smoke coming off his fingers, smiling at the band. "Yes, this is acceptable to me. You've done well. Now, gentlemen, if you will just sign here."

The intro guitar makes me want to run through walls. I remember listening to this in my headphones full blast right before leaving the dressing room for hockey games when I was a kid playing in a really rough league. By the time I hit the ice I felt invincible.

Thee best Album Ever🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘

The first Slayer album I heard was their first, Show No Mercy, way back in 83 when I was 10. Fast forward 2 years. Hell Awaits. Beautiful✊🏻 You really feel like you are being transported to the Nine Circles of Hell in Dante's Inferno.

Slayer to me is the best thrash band ever. We all know Tallica is King and well deserved. Slayer owns thrash

Hard to think of an intro with more power, dread, and heaviness, all without being overly fast. Damn!

I remember attending one of the their final tour dates over the summer in 2019 - 'Hell Awaits' starts and everyone is ready to mosh and when it came time for the devastating mosh pit, no one disappointed. It was crazy!

I WANT THIS TO BE PLAYED AT MY FUNERAL !!!

My favorite since 87

My son Jake's first concert?Slayer I'm doing parenting well.

This is the best song to brush your teeth to

Hell is real

I first heard this track when i was 8. Scared the shit out of me. I couldnt get past the first track until i was 12. Then it was on repeat.

Slayer ❤️ so Fun to play on guitar 🎸 my favorite 😊

Long live Slayer. This song is awesome as HELL.

Best slayer's song ever.So heavy,so dark.

Slayer!!🤘🤘

best way to wake the fuck up!

Christian or not , the beauty of art is in the eye of the beholder!. Slayer in my opinion is 4 young men who have made their mark in the known universe just trying to make it in life! Since 1981 out of Huntington Park, CA. I have been blessed to have known them for their music for they stand out on their own. I believe that for the Band they're a league all by their own. I feel that their is no category for what they created and shared with the World! I am Forever Grateful and Indebted and A Loyal SLAYTANIC Admirer til the day I DIE! THANK YOU FOR ALL THE FUCKING AWESOME YEARS AND THE TIME AHEAD

Oh man this brings me back to the high school years.

Still on time. Let's listen all the album in the memory of Jeff by 1 fucking year without Jeff.

Thank you Metal Blade I remember you

These guys were pioneers.

Greatest metal song ever..

I am a Christian but SLAYER has to be my favorite thrash metal band saw their last Tour

Such an epic song! The build up & the riffs! Jeff was awesome!

Aaaaah. An awesome tune from the humble beginnings of thrash/death metal!!

Black thrash metal

From the start until the end this song is epic😎

If Rob Halford is the "Metal God" we could say Araya's the "Metal Devil"?

Backward vocals are: "Join us, join us..". And then a more straightforward "Welcome Baaaack". Slayer fkn rules. Always has, always will.

Still love this music today, ill always come back for more of his music

Hell yea

Welcome back

I always forget about this Slayer album. It's not bad by any means....underrated for sure.

SLAYER!!!

Dave's rhythm and drums sound is f ing awesome

the most brutal metal song EVER!

Volume 11 is not loud enough. SLAYER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!¡¡👊👊👊👊👊👊👊👊👊👊

My first slayer album. Literally an album

I picture richard ramirez the night stalker listens to this before going killing spree during the 80s. Still my favortie slayer album in 2023🤘🏻

Slayer is the best.

“existingondamnationsedgethepriesthadneverknown... towitnesssuchaviolentshowofpoweroverthrown”

Happy Slayer Day

"Magnificent".

I heard somebody once said that Slayer's music was " the soundtrack in Hell". Well if that's true, that's where I want to go!

Way ahead of its time, people still catching up!!!

I want this song in my funeral

one of the hardest intro's ever!! Slaaaaayer

Welcome Back

This is a perfect song for when you’re extremely angry.

Didn't like slayer before, now is my Top 5 favorite thrash metal band, and this is the first song I've heard of slayer 2017 now I'm 24,🤘🎸🥁🎶

Always a pleasure, MASTERPIECE

Hell Awaits, my first Slayer album.