Angel of Death (song) 218937 224730291 2008-07-10T04:21:21Z RainbowOfLight 142196 Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/70.24.104.180|70.24.104.180]] to last version by 72.84.9.185 (using [[WP:HG|Huggle]]) {{otheruses4|the Slayer song named Angel of Death|other uses of this term|Angel of Death}} {{Infobox Song <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Songs --> | Name = Angel of Death | Cover = Angelofdeath.jpg | Caption = 1992 bootleg release | Artist = [[Slayer]] | Album = [[Reign in Blood]] | Released = [[October 7]], [[1986]] | track_no = 1 | Recorded = [[Los Angeles, California]] | Genre = [[Thrash metal]] | Length = 4:51 | Label = [[Def Jam Records]] | Writer = [[Jeff Hanneman]] | Producer = [[Rick Rubin]] | prev = | next = "Piece by Piece" | prev_no = | next_no = 2 }} "'''Angel of Death'''" is the [[opening track]] on the American [[thrash metal]] band [[Slayer]]'s 1986 album ''[[Reign in Blood]]''. The lyrics and music were written by Slayer guitarist [[Jeff Hanneman]] and are based on [[Nazi Germany|Nazi]] physician [[Josef Mengele]], who conducted [[human experiments]] at the [[Auschwitz concentration camp]] during [[World War II]]. "Angel of Death" led to the band facing accusations of Nazi sympathizing and [[racism]] throughout their career. Despite the controversy surrounding the song and its contribution to the delay in the release of ''Reign in Blood'', "Angel of Death" is featured on all of Slayer's [[live album]]s and [[DVD]]s and has appeared in several movies. The song was well received by critics; Steve Huey of [[Allmusic]] described it as a "classic."<ref name="Reign in Blood - Review ">{{cite web |title=((( Reign in Blood - Review ))) |author= |publisher=[[Allmusic]] |date= |url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=ADFEAEE5731ADE49A87520D0853B56C6B623A258FE4EFB87126E5F56C8FB304BC31777FD70C38F97E8F33DD235ADE02CA1450DD3CAE91AF8D665343789EFB61145&sql=10:7mdkyl7jxpvb~T1 |accessdate=2007-07-03}}</ref> == Composition and origins == Slayer guitarist [[Jeff Hanneman]] wrote "Angel of Death" after reading books about [[Nazi Germany|Nazi]] physician [[Josef Mengele]] while on tour with the band:<ref name="An exclusive oral history of Slayer"/> "I remember stopping someplace where I bought two books on Mengele. I thought, 'This has gotta be some sick shit.' So when it came time to do the record, that stuff was still in my head&mdash;that’s where the lyrics to “Angel of Death” came from."<ref name="An exclusive oral history of Slayer"/> The lyrics detail Mengele's surgical experiments on patients at the Auschwitz concentration camp during World War II.<ref name="SLAYER's KING Says RICK RUBIN's Collaboration With METALLICA Was 'Slap In The Face'">{{cite web |title=SLAYER's KING Says RICK RUBIN's Collaboration With METALLICA Was 'Slap In The Face' |publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |date=[[2006-06-01]] |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=54475 |accessdate=2007-03-21}}</ref><ref name="Slayer is up for a Grammy — before the end times, that is.">{{cite web |title=Slayer is up for a Grammy — before the end times, that is. |author=Brown, Ashley |publisher=Kansascity.com |date=[[2007-02-03]] |url=http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/entertainment/16608988.htm |accessdate=2007-03-21}}</ref> Mengele's explorations were conducted on such groups as [[Dwarfism|dwarfs]] and [[twins]], and included both physical and psychological examinations.<ref name="Josef Mengele">{{cite web |title = Josef Mengele |publisher = auschwitz.dk |url =http://www.auschwitz.dk/Mengele/id17.htm |accessdate=2007-02-21}}</ref><ref name="moreorless : heroes & killers of the 20th century - Josef Mengele">{{cite web | title = moreorless : heroes & killers of the 20th century - Josef Mengele |publisher = Moreorless.com |date=[[2001-04-30]] |url=http://www.moreorless.au.com/killers/mengele.html |accessdate =2006-12-01}}</ref> Among the tests he performed that are mentioned in "Angel of Death" are experimental surgeries performed without [[anesthesia]], [[transfusions|transfusion]] of blood between twins, the sewing of bodies, [[isolation]] endurance, [[Chemical warfare|gassing]], injections with lethal [[germs]], [[sex change operation]]s, and the removal of [[organ (anatomy)|organ]]s and [[Limb (anatomy)|limbs]].<ref name="Westworld Online interview with Kerry King ">{{cite web |title=Westworld Online interview with Kerry King |author=Roberts, Michael |publisher=Slayersaves.com |date= |url=http://www.slayersaves.com/interviews_kerry3.htm |accessdate=2007-03-21}}</ref> ==Controversy== The lyrical content of "Angel of Death" contributed to the delay of the release of Slayer's 1986 album ''[[Reign in Blood]]''. The band were signed to [[Def Jam Records]] whose distributor, [[Columbia Records]], refused to release the album due to lyrical themes and artwork concerns, deeming the artwork "too graphic".<ref name="An exclusive oral history of Slayer"/> ''Reign in Blood'' was eventually distributed by [[Geffen Records]] on [[October 7]], [[1986]]. However, due to the controversy, ''Reign in Blood'' did not appear on Geffen Records official release schedule.<ref name="An exclusive oral history of Slayer"/> "Angel of Death" caused outrage among survivors of the [[Holocaust]], as well as their families and the general public. The controversy lead to accusations of Nazi sympathizing which have followed Slayer throughout their career.<ref name="An exclusive oral history of Slayer">{{cite web | title = An exclusive oral history of Slayer | publisher = Decibel Magazine | url = http://www.decibelmagazine.com/features_detail.aspx?id=4566 | accessdate = 2006-12-03 }}</ref> People took Hanneman's interest in Nazi history and his collection of Nazi medals as evidence of sympathizing<ref name="An exclusive oral history of Slayer"/> &ndash; his most prized item being a German [[Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross|Knight’s Cross]].<ref name="SLAYER - Jeff Hanneman">{{cite web | title = SLAYER - Jeff Hanneman | author = Lahtinen, Lexi | publisher = Metal-rules.com | date = [[2006-12-18]] | url = http://www.metal-rules.com/zine/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=737&Itemid=60 | accessdate = 2006-12-27 }}</ref> Hanneman counteracted asserting: {{quote|"I know why people misinterpret it &ndash; it's because they get this knee&ndash;jerk reaction to it. When they read the lyrics, there's nothing I put in the lyrics that says necessarily he was a bad man, because to me &ndash; well, isn't that obvious? I shouldn't have to tell you that."<ref name="Knac.com interview with Jeff Hanneman">{{cite web | title = Knac.com interview with Jeff Hanneman | author = Davis, Brian | publisher = Knac.com | url = http://www.knac.com/article.asp?ArticleID=3153 | accessdate = 2006-12-13 }}</ref>}} According to guitarist [[Kerry King]]: "Yeah, Slayer are [[Nazis]], [[fascists]], [[communists]]—all that fun shit. And of course we got the most flak for it in Germany. I was always like, 'Read the lyrics and tell me what’s offensive about it. Can you see it as a [[Documentary film|documentary]], or do you think Slayer’s preaching fucking [[World War II]]?' People get this thought in their heads—especially in Europe—and you’ll never talk them out of it."<ref name="An exclusive oral history of Slayer"/> <!-- NO FAIR USE RATIONALE EXISTS FOR SOUND SAMPLE IN THIS ARTICLE {{Sound sample box align left|Music sample:}} {{Listen |filename= Angel of Death clip.ogg |title="Angel of Death" (1986) |description=A 28 second sample from "Angel of Death", illustrating Araya's scream at the beginning of the song coupled with quick beats. |format=[[Ogg]]}} {{sample box end}} --> The song drew accusations of [[racism]], although the band denied these claims.<ref name="An exclusive oral history of Slayer"/> In addition, the band's producer and close friend [[Rick Rubin]] has [[Jew]]ish ancestry, their vocalist [[Tom Araya]] is [[Chilean]], their drummer [[Dave Lombardo]] is [[Cuban]], and King had a guest appearance on the Jewish [[hip hop]] group [[Beastie Boys]]' song "[[No Sleep till Brooklyn]]".<ref name="An exclusive oral history of Slayer"/> The band members are often asked about the accusations in interviews, and have stated numerous times that they do not condone racism and are merely interested in the subject.<ref name="Slayer’s Tom Araya on Satanism, serial killers and his lovable kids">{{cite web | title = Slayers Tom Araya on Satanism, serial killers and his lovable kids | author = Cummins, Johnson | publisher =MontrealMirror.com | url = http://www.montrealmirror.com/ARCHIVES/2002/012402/music1.html | accessdate = 2006-12-02}}</ref> In 2006, the song "[[Jihad (song)|Jihad]]" from Slayer's 2006 album ''[[Christ Illusion]]'' drew comparison to "Angel of Death".<ref name="Slayer expects backlash with 'Jihad'">{{cite web | title = Slayer expects blacklash with 'Jihad' | author = Kornelis, Chris | publisher = spokane7.com | date = [[2006-06-14]] | url = http://www.spokane7.com/music/stories/?ID=3613 | accessdate = 2007-02-21 }}</ref> "Jihad" deals with the [[September 11, 2001 attacks]], and tells the story from a [[terrorist]]'s perspective. Vocalist Araya was expecting the subject matter to create a similar backlash to that of "Angel of Death", although it did not materialise,<ref name="LiveDaily Interview: Tom Araya of Slayer">{{cite web | title = LiveDaily Interview: Tom Araya of Slayer | author = Gargano, Paul | publisher = LiveDaily.com | date = [[2007-01-25]] | url = http://www.livedaily.com/interviews/LiveDaily_Interview_Tom_Araya_of_Slayer-11402.html?t=1 | accessdate = 2007-02-21}}</ref> in part, he believes, due to peoples' view that the song is "just Slayer being Slayer".<ref name="Luxi">{{cite web | title = SLAYER - Jeff Hanneman | author = Lahtinen, Luxi | publisher = Metal-rules.com | date = 2006-12-18 | url = http://www.metal-rules.com/zine/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=737&Itemid=60 | accessdate = 2006-12-27 }}</ref> ==Music and structure== "Angel of Death" is the longest track on the album ''Reign in Blood'', spanning 4:51 minutes, where the total duration of the album is 28 minutes.<ref name="An exclusive oral history of Slayer"/> Additionally, it has the one of the most conventional song structures on the album, featuring prominent [[verse]]s and [[chorus]]es, where most tracks on the album eschew them. Hanneman and King deliver their 'intricate riffs', which offer the few hints of [[melody]] on the album according to Pop Matters reviewer Adrien Begrand,<ref name="Reign in Blood - Review "/> and Araya bursts out his piercing scream,<ref name="The Devil in Music">{{cite web | title =The Devil in Music | author = Begrand, Adrien | publisher = Popmatters.com | url = http://www.popmatters.com/music/reviews/s/slayer-soundtrack.shtml | accessdate = 2007-02-22 }}</ref> with Lombardo performing at an average of 210 [[beats per minute]].<ref name="Andrew Haug speaks with Dave Lombardo from Slayer">{{cite web |title=Andrew Haug speaks with Dave Lombardo from Slayer |author=Haug, Andrew |publisher=Abc.net.au |date=[[2006-10-13]] |url=http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/racket/listen/audio_alpha_S.htm |accessdate=2007-02-09}}</ref> When drummer Lombardo left the band in 1992, due to conflicts with band members and his desire to bring his wife on tour,<ref name="Meet the new Slayer, same as the old Slayer'l">{{cite web|title=Meet the new Slayer, same as the old Slayer|author=Patrizio, Andy|publisher= [[IGN]]|date=[[2006-08-14]]|url=http://au.music.ign.com/articles/725/725459p1.html|accessdate =2006-12-01}}</ref> the band chose [[Testament (band)|Testament]] drummer [[Paul Bostaph]] as his replacement.<ref name=" PAUL BOSTAPH of Exodus, ex-Slayer"/> Bostaph made one mistake out of the nine songs the band trialled him with, on "Angel of Death".<ref name=" PAUL BOSTAPH of Exodus, ex-Slayer">{{cite web |title= PAUL BOSTAPH of Exodus, ex-Slayer |author=Syrjälä, Marko |publisher=Metal-Rules.com |date=[[2007-02-05]] |url=http://www.metal-rules.com/zine/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=797&Itemid=60 |accessdate=2007-03-07}}</ref> Before the "big double bass part" there's a lead section, which Bostaph could not understand, as he had to learn from live records recorded with Lombardo.<ref name=" PAUL BOSTAPH of Exodus, ex-Slayer"/> Bostaph could not tell how many revolutions the guitar riff goes before the bass sequence. The band members told him there was eight, "perfecting" the song after.<ref name=" PAUL BOSTAPH of Exodus, ex-Slayer"/> ==Reception== [[Image:Slayer eagle.png|thumb|right|Slayer used the controversy created by "Angel of Death" to use the [[Eagle atop swastika]] as their logo in the 1990's to gain further publicity.]] Although "Angel of Death" did not enter any charts, it received strong praise from critics in reviews for ''Reign in Blood''. Clay Jarvas of [[Stylus Magazine]] noted that the song "smokes the asses of any band playing fast and/or heavy today. Lyrically outlining the horrors to come, while musically laying the groundwork for the rest of the record: fast, lean and filthy."<ref name="Slayer Reign in Blood">{{cite web |title = Slayer Reign in Blood |author = Jarvis, Clay |publisher = [[Stylus Magazine]] |date = [[2003-09-01]] |url = http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/slayer/reign-in-blood.htm |accessdate = 2007-02-18}}</ref> Adrien Begrand of ''[[Popmatters]]'' remarked that "There's no better song to kick things off than the masterful "Angel of Death", one of the most monumental songs in metal history, where guitarists Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman deliver their intricate riffs, drummer Dave Lombardo performs some of the most powerful drumming ever recorded, and bassist/vocalist Tom Araya screams and snarls his tale of Nazi war criminal Joseph Mengele."<ref name="The Devil in Music">{{cite web | title =The Devil in Music | author = Begrand, Adrien | publisher = Popmatters.com | date = [[2004-01-23]] | url = http://www.popmatters.com/music/reviews/s/slayer-soundtrack.shtml | accessdate = 2007-02-22 }}</ref> Capitalizing on the publicity generated by the controversy, the band utilized Nazi imagery by adapting a logo to one similar to the [[eagle atop swastika]], during the ''[[Seasons in the Abyss]]'' period. Hanneman placed [[SS]] stickers on his guitar, and wrote "[[SS-3]]" a song about [[Reinhard Heydrich]], the second in command in the [[Schutzstaffel]] organization.<ref name="Master of Death - Heydrich">{{cite web|title=Master of Death - Heydrich|publisher=Auschwitz.dk|url=http://www.auschwitz.dk/Heydrich.htm|accessdate=2007-01-26}}</ref> == Appearances== "Angel of Death" has appeared in several movies, including ''[[Gremlins 2: The New Batch|Gremlins 2]]''; in a scene when the gremlin Mohawk is turning into a spider.<ref name="Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990)">{{cite web | title = Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990) | publisher = Joblo.com | url = http://www.joblo.com/arrow/reviews.php?id=399 | accessdate = 2007-02-18 }}</ref> It appears in ''[[Jackass: The Movie]]'' during a car stunt,<ref name="JACKASS CD">{{cite web | title = JACKASS CD | publisher = Cduniverse.com | url = http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/pid/5272446/a/Jackass.htm | accessdate = 2007-02-18 }}</ref> and features in the 2005 [[Iraq War]] [[Documentary film|documentary]] ''[[Soundtrack to War]]'', which details the role of music on the contemporary battlefield.<ref name="Soundtrack to war">{{cite web | title = Soundtrack to war | publisher = Soundtracktowar.com | url = http://www.soundtracktowar.com/ | accessdate = 2007-02-18 }}</ref> The half&ndash;time riff was sampled by [[Public Enemy (band)|Public Enemy]] in their 1988 song "She Watch Channel Zero",<ref name="An exclusive oral history of Slayer"/> the song "Godlike" from ''[[KMFDM]]'', and featured in the multi&ndash;platform [[video game]] ''[[Tony Hawk's Project 8]]''. Nolan Nelson, who selected the soundtrack for the game asserts the song is "one of the greatest [[heavy metal]] songs ever recorded. Don’t know who Slayer is? I feel sorry for you."<ref name=" Electro vs. Metal – Music is the key of life.">{{cite web | title = Electro vs. Metal – Music is the key of life. | author = | publisher = [[IGN.com]] | date = | url = http://blogs.ign.com/Project8team/2006/11/07/36240/ | accessdate = 2007-02-18 }}</ref> A Slayer [[tribute band]] called Dead Skin Mask released an album with eight Slayer tracks, "Angel of Death" being one of them.<ref name="SLAYER Tribute Band DEAD SKIN MASK To Release CD">{{cite web |title=SLAYER Tribute Band DEAD SKIN MASK To Release CD |author= |publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |date=[[2004-12-23]] |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=30716 |accessdate=2007-03-11}}</ref> The [[death metal]] band [[Monstrosity (band)|Monstrosity]] covered the song,<ref name="Interview With Monstrosity's Lee Harrison">{{cite web |title=Interview With Monstrosity's Lee Harrison |author=Lehtinen, Arto |publisher=Metal-Rules.com |date= |url=http://metal-rules.com/interviews/Monstrosity-2003.htm |accessdate=2007-03-14}}</ref> and the track was featured on classical band [[Apocalyptica]]'s 2006 album ''[[Amplified / A Decade of Reinventing the Cello]]''.<ref name="APOCALYPTICA: 'Amplified' Collection To Feature New Recordings">{{cite web |title=APOCALYPTICA: 'Amplified' Collection To Feature New Recordings |author= |publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |date=[[2004-04-04]] |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=50571 |accessdate=2007-03-21}}</ref> ''Al Sur Del Abismo (Tributo Argentino A Slayer)'', a Slayer tribute CD compiled by Hurling Metal Records, featured sixteen tracks covered by [[Argentina]] metal bands, Asinesia covered "Angel of Death".<ref name="SLAYER: Argentine Tribute Album Detailed ">{{cite web |title=SLAYER: Argentine Tribute Album Detailed |author= |publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |date=[[2006-06-10]] |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=53522 |accessdate=2007-03-11}}</ref> A compilation album of bands that have been featured in the [[Ozzfest]] line-up, of which Slayer have headlined multiple times, features "Angel of Death".<ref name=" Ozzfest: Second Stage Live">{{cite web |title= Ozzfest: Second Stage Live |author= |publisher=[[Allmusic]] |date= |url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:kpfuxqq0ldte |accessdate=2007-03-25}}</ref> German Death-Metal band [[Debauchery (band)|Debauchery]] covered Angel of Death on their 2008 album [[Continue To Kill]]. Also melodic death metal band Norther, viking metal band Ensiferum, and Wintersun(multiple genres in metal) have played Angel of Death live together. "Angel of Death" is the first track featured on Slayer's compilation box set ''[[Soundtrack to the Apocalypse]]''. The song is also featured on the live album ''[[Decade of Aggression]]'' and the music DVDs ''[[Live Intrusion]]'', ''[[War at the Warfield]]'' and ''[[Still Reigning]]''. ==References== {{Reflist|2}} {{Slayer}} {{featured article}} [[Category:1986 songs]] [[Category:Slayer songs]] [[Category:Thrash metal songs]] [[Category:Songs dealing with The Holocaust]] [[da:Angel of Death (sang)]] [[es:Angel of Death (Slayer)]] [[fr:Angel of Death]] [[it:Angel of Death]] [[he:Angel of Death]] [[nl:Angel of Death]] [[ja:エンジェル・オブ・デス]] [[pl:Angel of Death (utwór)]] [[pt:Angel of Death]] [[tr:Angel of Death]]