SLAYER - Haunting the Chapel (1984)

MMMMM

Only a three track e.p., but a landmark in Thrash Metal history and an essential purchase because none of the tracks feature on any 'proper' Slayer album in their original studio versions. The first thing to notice is that the leap in production from 'Show No Mercy' to this is huge, the guitars here are bristling with energy and the tempo's that Slayer where playing at had dramatically increased too. 'Chemical Warfare' remains a live-set staple and in 1984 this really did sound immense. 'Haunting the Chapel' and 'Captor of Sin' can't quite live with 'Chemical Warfare', but otherwise hold there own against any other early Slayer tracks and again both reek of an increased in aggression and quality over the primitive (but much loved) 'Show No Mercy'. Completely and utterly essential for any Thrash fan.