I Really Shouldn't Love Slayer's "Angel Of Death"... BUT I DO

[@burningbelow4424]

The song isn't about glorifying the angel of death. It's about making you aware of the attrocities the humans can do.

[@slaydesaid8741]

Spot on.

[@brunomantovaneli6076]

It's about telling a horror story describing graphically the atrocities committed by that horrible man. That's why it worked so well

[@Sddysert]

Hanneman's dad was an American soldier in WWii.He he would trick his dad into telling him about the war as his dad didnt like talking about it. Jeff wrote the song and he has stated that the band didnt have to say mengele the angel of death was evial as the have stated that in the song many times over. Read the lyrics carefully and see what they say!

[@Odifferious]

Absolutely, I never knew of some of the horrors until I heard this. They bring these atrocities to light. Not Glorifying at all. They actually say "Sickening ways to acheive the holocaust" and "Sadistic surgeon of demise" so these adjective describe a level of evilness. Listen to silent scream. Its about abortion and all the victims it leaves behind. Same thing, they describe it, but they bring how horrific it is to light. Its obvious they express distain in the lyrics.

[@burningbelow4424]

@@Sddysert yes I know that. I've seen the interview

[@ParagonPariah213]

and most important thing Jeff said is: “There’s nothing I put in the lyrics that says necessarily [Mengele] was a bad man, because to me - well, isn’t that obvious? I shouldn’t have to tell you that.”

[@nupraptorthementalist3306]

Mengele was known to be a real jerk.

[@davedecker1725]

@@nupraptorthementalist3306 wasn't his boss that KRANKELY SKRANKLEY silver tongued devil?

[@turke765]

Honestly, I don't agree with his own quote. There are a lot of lines that describe the negativity and horrible things done and just how bad he was. From the very start; "Auschwitz, the meaning of pain, The way that I want you to die" Describing all the horrible acts in negative detail in the middle. To the very end; "Rancid angel of death, Flying free"

[@PaulMclauchlin]

@@nupraptorthementalist3306 yeah, he used to blow off in elevators and blame other people.

[@lukeknutson3191]

@@turke765 thats the point. He doesn't need to explain that the guy is bad. Its already explained in the song.

[@dont_follow5777]

This song taught me more about the evils of mengele than any government school ever did.

[@bluedemon218]

Fact.

[@mickeyrube6623]

Underrated

[@renatovannoortwyck3302]

To be fair, you can't teach the horrors of what Mengele did in most schools. You need to be an adult to be subjected to this kind of evil, and even then it's hard to stomach. The song only scratches the surface of what Mengele did. It's sickening indeed.

[@johnabbott257]

The Japanese were even worse. The evil was there and a dolph and hirohito were the conduit. Then there's stalin, mao, castro, che, etc.

[@sirsancti5504]

Fax!

[@beelzebob23]

Comparing Slayer to Hieronymus Bosch is an amazing analogy.

[@nupraptorthementalist3306]

Proper.

[@briancooke5532]

Instrumentally speaking, it is a Thrash masterpiece! Sorry about your grandparents, those were dark times.

[@caseyczarnomski8054]

This song portrays the emotion and chaos of the time. Listen and pay homage to those who died in such horrible ways. We as humans need to do all we can to avoid this from happening in the future

[@stevensorrell1625]

Slayer has always been about indicting man's inhumanity to man.

[@Vel1ar]

This song really is just a history lesson. The part of our history that we should remember in order NOT to repeat. And thou Jeff not directly labels Mengele as bad, but phrases like "rancid angel of death" and "sickening ways to achieve the holocaust" could push one in the right direction. Also Tom Araya is of Chilean descent and Dave Lombardo is Cuban. You know, your exemplary aryan type.

[@fredarsenault8987]

Bullshit Slayer are great but had some really dodgy ideas.. you can separate the art from the person but can't deny facts

[@badmoose01]

We probably hopefully won’t see another holocaust the way it happened in WWII. Instead we are much more likely to all be vaporized all at the same time by nukes.

[@EvanG2025]

​@fred arsenault and you are not

[@lukeknutson3191]

@@fredarsenault8987 Tom is Chilean and Dave is cuban. Don't go digging deeper into things you dont need to. Slayer weren't and never were racists. They just talked about the bad shit in songs. They wanted to poke the bear at times so to speak.

[@simongoodsir2405]

@@fredarsenault8987 Tom Araya is an avowed Catholic . He was in a band. That did some songs . That reflected on some historical moments and religious ideals . And made some money . Their songs were more documentural than personal ... please do some research .

[@Aqwafresh4855]

I am also Jewish, and I have Holocaust survivors in my family. I am also a die-hard metalhead and I love Slayer, including this song. This song was an introduction to the Holocaust for many people out there and because of that, I think the world is a better place. A big part of Holocaust education is knowing exactly how wretched, hopeless, and brutal it was and knowing how genocide happens through dehumanization. This song does that. The song also gets props in that the victims were not separated by groups or just described as Jews, as not just Jews were victims. And that's just the lyrics. Musically, the song is a masterpiece of heavy metal, a gem among gems placed in one of the greatest metal albums ever released, Reign in Blood. I was asked one time by friends who are Christian and also metalheads if I had a moral problem with the song because of the subject matter? I said: absolutely not.

[@mobimobi1186]

אני גם אוהב slayer,זה שיעור היסטוריה הכי טוב,

[@decline.enjoyer]

This song was my introduction to the hallowcost. I must've listened to it 6 million times and it's still a thrill.

[@latherrinserepeat999]

Well said.

[@K1ng1995]

If you don't mind me asking what are your thoughts on the Marvel character Erik Lensherr aka Magneto do you think he's a hero or villain? #MagnetoisJewishHistory

[@FIRE-LOTUS]

I'm glad people like you exist. I am so sick and tired of people censoring stuff because of insensitive topics. People really going out of their way to say members of Slayer are racist and in support of neo-nazi. Which is really down right unfair. People can't handle or take subjects that offend them so they censor it from everyone and criticiE anyone that likes it as if they support the subject matter in the lyrics. It's so stupid. These songs are educational. And yes while the members are edgy, they like to create songs relevating to the horror genre. This is shock value no different than Alice Cooper or Marilyn Manson. It's like a horror movie but audio. I wish people can understand that - but you do. And that gives me hope.

[@kevindadswell603]

Beyond the controversial subject matter, the musicianship of the band is unparelleled. That is why we are still discussing the song, decades later.

[@michaelbenjamin2159]

Awesome tune from one of the greatest bands.

[@hoffjt1]

The beginning scream was the first take in the recording studio. Tom was unable to duplicate it since this was recorded. Listen to and remember live shows, he has never truly repeated that scream.

[@RockulaProductionsYoutube]

I was a middle class white kid in high school when this album came out and it changed my life I always thought this song was from the "This is Fucked Up" perspective and I assumed the scream at the beginning is someone being tortured There were friends of mine that thought the Nazi stuff was cool Another positive thing about this song is that it caused debate amongst us on the subject and I found out who I didn't want to be friends with

[@Aqwafresh4855]

I was just about to write about how this song was many people's introduction to the Holocaust. Holocaust education was abysmal in the US and it is still lacking to this day. I have a feeling this song did a lot of good and you gave a perfect example. It is so important to know how brutal history is and what humans are capable of doing to each other in visceral detail.

[@RockulaProductionsYoutube]

@@Aqwafresh4855 My high school taught us about the Holocaust, took us on a field trip to the Holocaust museum in Dallas and we had assemblies where Holocaust survivors spoke. That was back in the 80's, I don't know what they are teaching kids now I do know that Texas is whitewashing the slavery out of their textbooks.

[@lee6198]

​@@Aqwafresh4855 I had a pretty good education of the Holocaust. But I went to school in LI, NY. Pretty good schools and heavy Jewish population. But I also learned from friends and their parents as well as on my own. So maybe I dont realize how much I learned outside of school.

[@UncleRosie]

That is the heaviest song ever written. I’ve loved that band all my life. It’s like spinach to Popeye for Slayer fans. Slayer is an intricately detailed sonic representation of the horrible side of life. That’s why it’s shocking and people are torn on whether they like it or not. It’s okay to like it! They solved thousands of times more problems than they ever caused.🤟

[@sergiodavila5269]

Well said…..very well said!!! Top marks 🤘🏽🤘🏽🤘🏽🤘🏽

[@metaldog4642]

The lyrics are horrifying, but accurate.

[@buzzbomb67]

To me, Thrash is the true pinnacle of Extreme Metal. Certainly, there is Metal that can be said to be more “extreme” but its so much so that it becomes almost comical, and the effect is less visceral and brutal, than Thrash. I know, Ive heard all the other types, and others will have their own opinions, and likely think their favorite is the most extreme, but this is my opinion: Thrash is the pinnacle of Extreme Metal, and Slayer is the pinnacle of Thrash.

[@thesabbath483]

​@@buzzbomb67 Except Angel of Death and most of the Reign in Blood record is death/thrash, not thrash. That's why it's so dark and aggressive.

[@buzzbomb67]

@@thesabbath483 well, there’s a new one. Ive heard of Death, Ive heard of Thrash. Never heard of Death Thrash. *shrug*. Regardless… its just a more specific Thrash.

[@mikestivers8302]

THE quintessential Slayer masterpiece. this song has probably created more metalheads than any other in memory. NOBODY in pop-music would touch a subject such as this. thank you, Jeff Hanneman (rip)

[@HoaxHoax-d5f]

They wouldn't be able to speak on Rhine meadows because it was ran by our Swiss Jewish president at the time, Eisenhower.

[@JB-gw8ee]

That album is a classic. Short and brutal. And yeah, that is a violent, evil song.

[@chrisrobson8540]

i wouldnt say evil but a showcase of evil not evil in itself but about evil

[@PapaSancho666]

I Found It Fascinating to Watch Carice's face as the song progressed. From her starting smile to the end, she was in disbelief. Seeing someone new/fresh to the song and how it can have such a powerful effect on the listener captured me as a viewer. It was authentic from start to finish.

[@TheEnnisfan]

This is one of the best Slayer reactions and analysis I've ever seen on KZbin. You've nailed everything about the band, the song, and the album. Sorry about your grandparents. Fuck the holocaust, nazis, and Hitler.

[@captaincapitalism264]

Slayer, like Metallica and some other speedmetal giants, can be interpreted as what I call 'Thinking Man's metal'. They neither praise nor admonish Mengele's atrocities: like all good art they provide a mirror to what has taken place by/among humanity in reality -- in this form, via heavy metal. They perform this same brutal, no-holds-barred metal art form on other disturbing topics as well: serial killers ("Dead Skin Mask"), and even abortion ("Silent Scream"). No judgement: just a reflection in a different form of art. Personally I think they're brilliant at it. Thanks for the vid!

[@187nemesis3]

That's the point! It's like they draw a picture but without telling you how to look at it. The decision is up to you.

[@blacksabbathmatters]

Please dont compare slayer to metallica, they are polar opposites,.metallica is a joke.

[@jayslt4223]

Don't even put Metallica in the same sentence as Slayer. Metallica is trash. They haven't put out a good record in 35 years

[@gthewolf7948]

​@@jayslt4223 your dumb opinion

[@gthewolf7948]

​@@blacksabbathmatters shut up

[@carlomercorio1250]

Well said, Sir! Textured. sensitive and unerring look at how you can enjoy the song. Brave and civilised man!

[@renoverant6510]

Thank you my friend. As a grandson of Auschwitz survivors from Dutch Jews...I understand where you coming from. As an 80s thrash fan it took me decades to come to a point of being able to listen to slayer

[@S_Z55555]

I think im in the same place. im jew and i wanna listen to them but i heard that the guitarist Jeff was obses with WW2 and evan has the SS oh his guitar and its kinda annoying me beacuse i realy wanna listen to them.

[@RastaganTheGreen]

Dont feel ashamed for liking this. We should be able to appreciate art independently of our identity, thats what makes music unite people.

[@guyr.6053]

I'm an Israeli metal music fan with two Holocaust survivor grandparents. When visiting Yad Vashem 10-15 years ago as a student, I was surprised to see Angel of Death lyrics included in a collection of Holocaust-related songs written on a gallery walls for education. I already liked this song and Slayer beforehand, and it definitely shed a different light for me, changing my perspective about this song and made me appreciate it even more!

[@yuyaricachimuel555]

I’m curious what specific lyrics were there.

[@doc25000]

The song is iconic, Probably the most iconic thrash tune ever written, If you take out the music and have someone read the lyrics, They're getting a lesson in history about the horrors of WWII.

[@LucidStew]

"a LITTLE dark". paraphrasing: "this song is about the Nazi doctor that selected my great grandparents for death..." I've heard this song a 1000 times at least and far more shocking lyrically in the greater genre, but I found that statement very difficult to fully digest upon hearing. The song is a journey into an idea. The reminder that the idea was real is just terrifying and we truly can't forget that real people are capable of these things that seem like dark fantasy.

[@adammammana367]

This is completely about making people aware. Jeff wrote the song with that mind set. Jeff is a regular guy that would use mostly war topics for inspiration to write lyrics. I actually randomly cross paths with Jeff as I was pulling into a parking lot of a restaurant. As I drove past him I only kinda quietly said Slayer with some horns 🤘🏻 because I knew he’s a private person and didn’t want to bother him. His wife got a kick out it because she was laughing probably because i noticed him. After I said that to him my brother ask if he was wearing a slayer shirt and I said “no dude that was slayer” he didn’t notice it was him.

[@BTAColorado]

As a Slayer fan for many years I can say with confidence we all know it's about Mengele. I feel that a VAST majority of us understand it's an indictment of the horrors he inflicted. I do agree there are some that misinterpret it as pro-Nazism song but there is no reason you should carry guilt about that fringe group of people. There are other groups that thrive on terribly misconstrued tenets, but you can't blame yourself for Christianity...

[@dreadassembly4087]

What does that mean? It sounds like you believe in group guilt and blame.

[@mcrook6780]

Writing a song on a subject matter doesn’t mean you believe in the content

[@dreadassembly4087]

@@mcrook6780 I didn't say anything about the song. I was commenting on the other persons accusation comparing Christian tenants to the Nazism.

[@mcrook6780]

@@dreadassembly4087 you are right. Didn’t mean to comment what I said directly to you. Was just a general comment. Apologies

[@Ajax9774]

This was a very good discussion on Angel of Death. Seasons in the Abyss is also some more of Slayer's best work to give a thorough listen and discussion on 👍

[@stephenneil9345]

Tom Araya said himself that there is evil inside each and everyone of us. Some just chose to show it. He also said there are some things you just don't do.

[@rickdaniels1789]

It's a way of shining light on the atrocities created by some elements of humanity. The previous generation of heavy rockers Black Sabbath did the same in songs like "Electric Funeral" and "Children of the Grave", though not as explicitly.

[@eziomorte3380]

Slayer did that their entire career. They were critisizing the sh@t that happened/was happening but from the killer's/lunatic's point of view. They were NEVER a neo-nazi, taliban or serial killer sympathizers. NEVER. That's the reason you would see many punk/anarchists in their concerts.

[@danceswithferrets]

I'm English, my grandparents served in WWII. This song, as difficult as it is to listen to, is a valuble part of modern culture. There are many ways to observe history, this is one. The day we stop talking about these dark periods of history is the day we make the same mistakes.

[@jacksprat9172]

Agreed. Tiktok is full of holocaust deniers and that is truly sickening. This song is historically accurate and what happened must never be forgotten. Heavy metal has always had a bad press because it deals with the awful things that happen in the real world.

[@bayareathrasher666]

Slayer is as dark as it gets without going full blown Death/Satan. Know them all...great dudes.

[@trias418]

although, i would say that Satan is an excellent NWOBHM band that is far more accessible than Slayer lol

[@1974Imperium]

Umm Altar of Sacrifice?

[@EvanG2025]

You guys don't realize that I can kill people with a band aid

[@technoguyx]

@@1974Imperium Even that song retains some of the melodic elements that characterize 80's thrash metal, like writing songs around memorable guitar riffs -- it was later on that other bands started almost forgetting the melody altogether or aiming for noise (like e.g. grind artists did).

[@Hopi_Viking]

A band that goes harder then Slayer is Mayhem. They're all about the hail Satan stuff.

[@tomspring213]

At 10:30 you shouldn’t take on that burden because people like that are going to think the way they think regardless of the song. And, at this point in time, the controversy surrounding the song is well known enough that the fans of this genre already know what Slayer meant by this. I always looked at metal as a way to talk about things most can’t have a casual conversation about. It tells the truth in a way simply talking doesn’t quite achieve. A lot of it is extremely esoteric.

[@coney4578]

Seen them 7 times. They play this in every show. Known, fact he escaped. Lived out the rest of his life in South America.

[@Duke_Silver77]

"Angel of death flying free"

[@MikeSmith-ey7ku]

I love your description of the riffs. Metal is hard to play,not always but if you rip,then you are doing work. Been playing in metal bands for 30 years myself.

[@m.k.738]

You should do “Disciple” re-listening to it now in 24 is scary prophetic since it came out in 2001.

[@orlandopacheco48]

Thank you for a great conversation about a tough subject that the world needs to remember ........ !!!!

[@kmvoss]

Thank you for the reaction.

[@mattiethesurfer]

Such amazing insight - your grandparents died in Auschwitz and this is exactly what the song is about - the brutality of Mengele. Really grateful to hear your experience. Thank you for sharing.

[@gillesplantin7350]

I discovered your channel by luck, thanks to KZbin. I already "know" Carice by her incredible talent of actress but I discover you at the moment Daniel. I feel very sorry for your family history and the aftermath that it has on several generations. As you said, Slayer is one of those bands that take on difficult subjects or hide the worst aspects of the human being. Angel of Death is one of those songs, like Daddy by Korn (don't listen to that one unless you're close, it's, if you can say, even worse!). I think this song is a great history lesson that exposes both Mengele's madness and the despair of the victims, treated as both animals (vermin even) and enemies. With access to all the horror films and facts of our times, many terms or images resonate easily and chill the blood, where a "simple accounting" and sequence of numbers and dates as we learn in school does not mark as much. I have always seen this song as a way of testifying to what the victims of the camps went through, without a deportee having to go back and write it. It is a way of saying "this suffering that was caused, it is a suffering to humanity". I hope that this channel will grow to the height of what it deserves, which is much more! (for information, the singer of the group, Tom Araya, is a Christian, far from the imagery that the group gives, isn't it?)

[@ronaldvandenkieboom4683]

Didn't expect to find Carice discussing Slayer as a fellow Dutchie. Nice to see to approach metal and the lyrics in an adult way.

[@danzydan2479]

Good content. Pretty brave to open yourself like that mate.

[@gregwunderlich4253]

Y'all, I'm wanting to give you both a fuckin hug. I'm half German, hearing you both talking about this intelligently, is honestly making me tear up more than a little bit. Thank you for this. No fuckin shit.

[@Callmenobody174]

Just like Slayer says in the song "Temptation", "...Have you ever wondered why it seems that evil you're attracted to?"

[@zombiTrout]

I like the line from their song Disciple: “The beauty of death we all adore”.

[@JMitch67]

I’ve been listening to music like this for well over 40 years. I’m perfectly normal

[@andrewbennefield529]

Awesome reaction. So honest and important. Really appreciate your perspective and insight

[@networkninja2971]

its helarious to watch the dudes reaction half way in when he realizes the lady is clearly in pain. SLAYER!!!

[@mikeziegler1057]

It also doesn't let people forget the horrible things nazis did historically

[@OpusSIG]

So much honesty in this video! Refreshing! Congratulations!

[@ernestomercedes5754]

this is the most unbiased and very intellectual observation of a song that many people throughout history have conflicting views on

[@alonsodesalazar4950]

This is a really brilliant nuanced discussion. Thank you.

[@HipsterEatinShark]

Incredibly level-headed discussion of the pain behind the atrocities of Auschwitz, Daniel. Fascinating discussion, and much respect to be able to go there so lucidly.

[@ericsiemens9891]

This was an incredible discussion about this song. I love that even decades after its release it’s still making an impact. I actually grew up hearing this song, I first heard it when I was around 9 or 10 and I’m turning 27 now. When I learned it was about Mengele I took that knowledge in stride and I am firmly convinced that because of him the Holocaust is one of the worst tragedies in human history. This song is a brutally honest, sobering depiction of human depravity and I believe with full conviction that every person should hear it and have the context explained to them at least once. I’m definitely subbing to this channel. Amazingly thoughtful discussion.

[@Iamsmallfry]

I loved this when I was younger just because of the music. It was the heaviest thing I’d ever listened to to that point musically. Then I became an old man and one day I decided to watch a lyric video, and it made me weep. I had no idea that’s what it was about. And I don’t have the familial connection, but I had a human connection. Thank you for this reaction and analysis.

[@kaslart]

It makes me very happy to hear your connection and take on this song, and that you can enjoy it. Slayer is so amazing, and I want everyone to get the same feeling I do from their music. I understand the topic is controversial, but tackling the darker topics can make for a extremely artistic and deeper piece, which is a great thing!

[@fjiukjiu7178]

Look at it this way, if it was a movie about mengele with the same subject, everyone would understand what it's about. But because it's music, and metal, people assume because of the style it's an anthem for hate.

[@geecee4746]

This is the most important slayer reaction on KZbin, its a song, just like a horror film, bad things happened, and still do

[@DrSkeff]

Wow, a video I didn’t know I needed. So glad I discovered this reaction and a long time fan of Slayer (I bought this album on the day it was released) I truly appreciate your love (and hate) of this song. Also, the fact that your family has such a tragic, personal connection to it makes it this reaction even more visceral. I truly wanted to express my appreciation for your love of this song as a piece of art. Edit: other art that is similar to this in my mind - Francis Bacon paintings and the film “Four Lions” by Chris Morris.

[@Robert-hk3gf]

Too me it's a History Lesson that we didn't learn in school. Because Hittlers SS was verry sick.

[@Louis.Cyphre]

Wow... first time I heard a person talking about this song who has a real relation to it. I'm german and for me, it is so important to always remember and never forget our history. This song is not some kind of a gloryfication, it describes what happened really. "Angel of death , flying free" ... Mengele escaped and never got judged... ... Ps I am a big fan about your words. Very intelligent analised and thank god you got the song's intention. "South of heaven" is another song to read between the lines

[@DarkKnight1407]

You really took her to the deepest end without a lifejacket huh??

[@MEDVE1978]

I'm Hungarian, my grandfather was ethnically jewish but his family has lived as a christian since 1900. So at the time WW2 begun he already was a soldier and he was enlisted in the 2nd Hungarian Army (he wasn't discriminated by anti-jewish laws, but the commanders knew he was ethnically jewish). So he was sent to the front. After Stalingrad the whole 2nd Hungarian army was obliterated by the Soviets, 120-160.000 soldiers died, he came back and only lost a couple of his toes and 30 kg-os of his weight. He was a wreck so he was sent home. In 1944 they tried to enlist him again, but he just saw his relatives being deported to Auschwitz and most of his family inprisioned in the Budapest Ghetto. So he begun hiding and joined the Buda voluntary regiment later which fought against the nazis. Slayer is my favourite band. They are not nazi, they never were. Slayer writes about the worst of humanity. The true evil in human nature.

[@gwimyeon]

“I’m grateful for artists who can go there “ This 100%

[@fried2styles]

Damn, now THAT is a song reaction! Thanks!

[@Pantherking916]

I'm back to add to my previous comment having given it more thought. You are the epitome of understanding. You have taken the meaning of this song as it was intended. It is NOT intended in ANY way, shape or form to gloryify ANYTHING to do with National Socialism. It IS meant to make the listener THINK about what happened & how humans can be so horrifically cruel to their fellow humans. Thank you for this! As I said before, it is a history lesson put to music meant to educate not indoctrinate.

[@sergiodavila5269]

My condolences to your grandparents suffering & dying at Auschwitz….I feel your pain & no words can describe what they went thru;…as a history teacher & HUGE Slayer fan, I see this as a great historical picture of a VERY fucked up part of history…very sad….even Jeff Hanneman stated that it’s just a historical document of a very dark part of history…the good thing is that it created awareness of how horrid the Nazis, Hitler & Mengele were. It helps us realize that this cannot be repeated….knowing history will get us to not repeat the sins of the past….GREAT REACTION 🤘🏽🤘🏽🤘🏽🤘🏽🤘🏽🤘🏽🤘🏽🤘🏽

[@tomdalsin5175]

It's great to see Daniel's eagerness to engage with darkness, and face it, and become more open, aware, and wise because of it. When you face dragons, you can get treasure.

[@petesenior6542]

This song has been misunderstood from day one. Bands like Slayer hold up a "mirror" to society. For better or worse!

[@schlooonginator1227]

Wow, really great commentary on this song. I moved on to even more extreme genres of metal but Slayer has a knack for lyrical brutality, the choice of words, descriptions etc have always impressed me. Especially considering their age at that time, their vocabulary was impressive. I think most would be surprised considering the stereotype of metal being juvenile and not very intelligent. I remember in high-school, a Catholic high school, I was one of few metal heads and a fellow student curiously asked to see the inlay card(1990,cassettes) of Slayer South of Heaven. He read some lyrics and was surprised. He didn't expect what he was reading. He didn't elaborate but I think it was the deep level of lyricism as compared to what was popular at that time like Bon Jovi. Night and day and Slayer isn't known to be intellectuals by any means.

[@a.j.k8016]

Ive been a Slayer fan since they started in 82 and this is the most intelligent reaction to one of their songs ive ever heard. Bravo Sir ! . Would love to se your take on other metal songs.

[@leesaunders1930]

god bless you my jewish brother. 2 of my great grandfathers died fighting the Nazis, 1 on the HMS Hood battleship and 1 in operation market garden the massive para drop in 1944. And like you said i don't look at the germans as enemies or disgusted that there are books written by german authors documenting it, if anything im more thankful that such writings exist. I'm not bitter im better for it. 🤝🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@gregschrag7848]

I have to agree you, there so many week minded people that would listen to this and have no idea what it's actually about and take it literally...so sad😢, either way like your perspective on this song!

[@BAKERXVIII]

when you explain to someone that this music isn't meant to glorify evil acts, or Satan; the worst counter-argument is "that's what they want you to think". This pisses me off sooo much, because it's such a one dimensional view on it, and I just can't stand arguing with people bout' it anymore.

[@robertblackmore703]

What you said about art and it’s responsibilities or lack thereof was quotable. Well said.

[@Mar-yk6jp]

Incredibly insightful commentary. Wow.

[@katiegwynn4495]

My young life was not so nice and I would have to amp myself up to take care of me and mine. Slayer did the trick for me most of the time

[@dougrussell1926]

Used to hang out with this guy Hiram, he had a lot of the same conflict that you do. He loved the song, but was worried about how his family would feel about him listening to it.

[@marad6678]

I'm so sorry your family went through that horrible time its so sad I love the he riffs are so good. that even public enemy used that riff you liked in song called channel zero I hear the lyrics as a teaching who that evil monster was. God bless you and your family they're not forgotten

[@olo121973]

My grandfather and uncle were also murdered in Auschwitz, I also felt discomfort when I first heard this song - it's normal in our cases. I've been a Slayer fan for 35 years

[@hammersmashedspud4345]

Rancid Angel of Death flying free

[@adamnichol6761]

9:20 - absolutely...it's understanding horror without excusing or celebrating it in any way. 10:20 agree 100%. The issue is that there are other songs in the genre which have this neutral(ish) presentation style of Angel of Death but are celebrating (albeit fictitious) horror; taken in isolation there is nothing in this song that vindicates Mengele, but you can see why some people would want to take it this way to validate their existing views

[@_leyrd_.]

I'm fairly sure there was another song i think on the Seasons In The Abyss album referencing another vile piece of work whose infamous conference at Wannsee January 1942 sealed the fate of millions, Reinhard Heydrich. If i recall there was a lyric something like hangman of Prague, that can only be about one person.

[@MrDanilop45]

In my band in the 90’s we used to cover this song. It wasn’t super clear for me in terms of text at that time, but emotionally it was overwhelming. The horrors, in this case very real horrors, passed through this song in my soul with a reality that is unbearable. The first scream is so deeply emotional. For me a Masterpiece and a lesson about Auschwitz that will last for the future generations. To don’t forget the horrors. To don’t repeat it never again.

[@SequentiallyCompact]

I think the best example of an incredible song that I enjoy, that's also about an unimaginable horror, has to be Silent Scream. For those not familiar, it's a song from the perspective of an unborn child as its undergoing the process of medically induced abortion. It also switches to the perspective of the mother for a few moments, describing the intrusiveness of the procedure. Given that I can't experience either (being already born and a guy) I still feel like Slayer somehow conveyed a part of the terror and feeling of violation that such an experience must inflict.

[@Cedric_Harris]

I missed the name of your channel at first and thought this discussion was going to be more about the style of the music, and not the lyrics. I was going to say, I find it unusual that I love Slayer in the same way I love mellow music like jazz or Steely Dan. Slayer has a certain special something that I love in that same way, even though it's kind of obnoxious. Anyway, great discussion, I wasn't expecting you to get that deep, but I really enjoyed your comments. Liked and subscribed.

[@paulm5118]

I truly feel they should play this song along with visuals of what he's talking about as part of the history lesson about Auschwitz and the Third Reich in high schools and/or college , he's taking you into the mind of a madman who did this to so many innocent people , some people learn better through visualization rather than just text , I don't think any other band has covered this topic to my knowledge.

[@m.ericwatson968]

When I was about to have my 4 wisdom teeth taken out, about 1987, I was 19, the oral surgeon suggested I bring a "walkman" w/some 'soothing music' to help me through the process, my wisdom teeth were impacted, meaning there would be drilling and chiseling in the jawbone...so I thought, perhaps Pink Floyd, Dark Side of the...no, no...I was a young metal head punk, so I chose Slayer, Reign In Blood; the "walkman" had an auto-flip feature, Reign In Blood on cassette was mirrored on both sides of the tape because it is pretty short, I was unable to stop the tape or even turn down the volume...that was an agonizing, excruciating and truly profound experience, while anesthetized with nitrous oxide...I wouldn't trade it for anything

[@Plan9-3127]

I appreciate and respect your ability to enjoy this on the level it was meant to be enjoyed. Taking a swipe at Slayer and just calling it anti Jewish garbage is the easy thing to do. You sir have the intelligence to see it for what it truly is... A proper history lesson and a warning of just how disgusting human beings can be when they want to... God bless you and your family...

[@evh-dy6iv]

Drummer Dave lumbardo is the grandson of guy lumbardo the man who wrote the new years song.

[@psychbookman8613]

Not sure if its been mentioned, but I believe the guitar riff at 3:04 was sampled in the song Channel Zero by Public Enemy

[@mgar01]

Late to the conversation. Love the discussion here, though. I truly think that we are so used to art as propaganda, that it’s difficult for people appreciate art that reflects the reality of our own disturbed natures. The fact that people were more vocal about their displeasure with slayer for singing about this topic than they were about the events that inspired this song this speaks volumes.

[@jeroenkoster1366]

Jeff was a good person and he wrote this out of fascination and interest, while he knew that people would be shocked. I always thought it was crazy that you can make the most explicit movies about this subject and get praised for it, while being condemned because you put it to music.

[@danielleeuwis1623]

@clarice super gaaf je reactie te zien op een nummer van Slayer. En nee het is geen verheerlijking, ze speelden het vast als laatste nummer van elke set en concerten. Ja het gaat over Mengele, hoe ziek de geest kan zijn. Dead Skin Mask is ook een nummer van Slayer over Ed Gein de serie moordenaar waar de silence of the lambs en American Psycho op gebaseerd zijn. Een van de beste bands aller tijden voor mij persoonlijk 😊

[@jasonbrown372]

Whence begins the interior inquiry into the use of this songs' damned-slow guitar solo sampled within Public Enemy's "She Watch Channel Zero"?

[@vinster8884]

When i listen to Slayer, my neighbors do too!

[@lonenut740]

Those who deny evil are complicit.

[@captaincat1743]

Art reflects life. No other band could have captured the disgusting reality of Auschwitz like Slayer did. You can't write a jazz song about this subject. Even reading about it in a book does little to express how vile it really was on an emotional level but this song absolutely nails it down. By the way, this was an excellent analysis by Daniel. I subscribed as a result of that.

[@beelzebob23]

I had Reign in Blood on tape. Never had to rewind. Just flipped the tape over and played it again. Over and over. Wore that ghetto blaster out.

[@Arthur-ke9vz]

Greatest song ever!!!! SLAAAAAAAYER!!!!

[@cydrych]

This is a history lesson set to genius level music.

[@maximilianoadl]

I read the same book you name at 14:34 when I was 12, I've read it many times, It always amazes me how evil humans can be.