by Slayer has released a special track-by-track video feature celebrating the 35th anniversary of their iconic album Seasons In the Abyss, as announced on Slayer’s official Instagram.
The feature, titled “Slaytanic Verses,” offers fans an in-depth look at the creative process behind the album. Band members Tom Araya and Kerry King provide commentary on each track.
“Slaytanic Verses presents a special track-by-track video feature that sees Tom Araya and Kerry King digging deep into the backstories behind all 10 of the tracks on Slayer’s Seasons In the Abyss album,” the band’s official announcement stated.
The video series gives longtime fans and new listeners alike a rare glimpse into the making of one of thrash metal’s most celebrated albums. This anniversary celebration provides a comprehensive look at the creative journey behind each song. The founding members share insights, anecdotes, and behind-the-scenes stories about the writing and recording process.
Seasons In the Abyss was originally released on October 9, 1990, marking its 35th anniversary this year. Digital Noise Mag reported that the album was Slayer’s fifth studio release and their third collaboration with legendary producer Rick Rubin, following the groundbreaking Reign in Blood (1986) and South of Heaven (1988). The album was co-produced by Slayer, Rubin, and Andy Wallace. It was recorded at studios in Los Angeles before being released via Rubin’s Def American Recordings label.
The album holds special significance in Slayer’s discography as it was the final studio album to feature the original lineup of Araya, King, guitarist Jeff Hanneman, and drummer Dave Lombardo until 2006’s Christ Illusion. Blabbermouth noted that the album is widely regarded as one of the band’s—and thrash metal’s—defining works, notable for its technical precision and dark atmosphere.
The title track’s music video became a milestone for the band, as it was Slayer’s first official music video. MetalSucks highlighted that the video was filmed at the Great Sphinx of Giza in Egypt and is remembered for its ambitious, cinematic production that brought the band’s intense sound to a visual medium for the first time.
Beyond the video series, the anniversary celebration includes a limited run of hand-signed memorabilia and collectibles available through Slaytanic Verses, the band’s online museum. These exclusive items include early artwork sketches, RIAA gold plaques, and memorabilia inspired by archival photos from the original “Seasons in the Abyss” video shoot, offering collectors rare pieces of Slayer history.
