Slayer "Seasons In The Abyss (Japan, Nippon Phonogram, PHCR-1042)"

Seasons in the Abyss is the fifth studio album by American thrash metal band Slayer. It was released on October 9, 1990, through Def American Records, and later through American Recordings after the record label changed its name. The album's recording sessions began in March 1990 at Hit City West, Hollywood Sound, and ended in June 1990 at Record Plant in Los Angeles, California. It was the band's last studio album to feature original drummer Dave Lombardo until 2006's Christ Illusion.

The musical style of the album is similar and was compared by critics to the band's previous two albums: South of Heaven and Reign in Blood. The album's reception was generally positive. It peaked number 18 in the United Kingdom and also charted on the Billboard 200 at number 40. It was certified gold in the United States and Canada.

The album was recorded from March to June 1990 in two separate studios: Hit City West, Hollywood Sound, and Record Plant in Los Angeles, California. Seasons in the Abyss was produced by Rick Rubin, who had also produced their previous two albums Reign in Blood and South of Heaven.

Track eight, "Temptation", featured an overdub of lead vocalist Tom Araya's singing; the vocal arrangement on the track was unintentional. Araya sang the song twice: once the way he felt it sounded best; the second time at the insistence of Kerry King the way he thought it should be sung. By accident both tracks were played back simultaneously on the instrumental background, and the producer suggested that both vocal tracks should be used on the album.

Tracklist:

1. War Ensemble 04:52  
2. Blood Red 02:50
3. Spirit in Black 04:07   
4. Expendable Youth 04:10  
5. Dead Skin Mask 05:17  
6. Hallowed Point 03:24  
7. Skeletons of Society 04:41  
8. Temptation 03:26
9. Born of Fire 03:08   
10. Seasons in the Abyss 06:32   

Time:  42:27

Trivia:

- The album peaked at #40 on the Billboard 200.

- Slayer's final album with Dave Lombardo on drums until his reunion on 2006's Christ Illusion.

- This album was released on the same day as Testament's Souls of Black.

Music videos:

- War Ensemble

- Seasons in the Abyss

Recording information:

Co-produced by Slayer.

Recorded at Hit City West, Hollywood Sound and Record Plant.

Recorded in Los Angeles, CA.

Mastered at Masterdisk, New York, N.Y.