“It’s the record where Slayer became Slayer.” That’s what Kerry King says about Hell Awaits. And he knows of what he speaks. As the band’s guitarist, co-songwriter and co-lyricist, he was in the trenches with vocalist/bassist Tom Araya, guitarist Jeff Hanneman (R.I.P.) and drummer Dave Lombardo, creating what has become one of heavy metal’s greatest albums. A significant departure from Slayer’s 1983 debut, Show No Mercy—and every Slayer album that came after it—Hell Awaits is both an outlier and a solidification of form. Show No Mercy was the mission statement, but Hell Awaits is a more developed and intricate execution of Slayer’s speed, chops, and aggression. Now celebrating its 40th anniversary, Hell Awaits is the second studio album by American thrash metal masters, Slayer. The crucial album was initially released on April 8th 1985, by Metal Blade Records, who, in honor of Hell Awaits' 40th anniversary, unleashes unique physical releases, along with a digital release for fans.