Haunting the Chapel [EP] (CD - 1984)

Recorded at Track Records, Los Angeles, California.

Digitally remastered by Eddie Schreyer (November 1993, Future Disc).

Personnel: Tom Araya (vocals); Jeff Hanneman, Kerry King (guitar); Dave Lombardo (drums).

Audio Remasterer: Eddy Schreyer.

Recording information: Track Records, L.A; Track Records, Los Angeles, CA.

Boasting the awesome "Chemical Warfare," a regular staple of Slayer's live shows, the Haunting the Chapel EP was a more crucial stepping stone in the legendary L.A. band's career development than many give it credit for. Issued in between the band's very promising debut and the following year's more sonically ripened Hell Awaits, Haunting the Chapel offers important clues about this transition period, which saw Slayer's rock-based song structures give way to the non-linear, genre-defining style thereafter regarded as thrash metal's signature sound. Among the uniformly solid cuts here, the enduring fan favorite "Captor of Sin" is another highlight, making this a well-recommended release for committed Slayer fans. [Some CD versions of Slayer's debut, Show No Mercy, now feature Haunting the Chapel songs as bonus tracks.] ~ Eduardo Rivadavia minimize