Episodes

  • Talkin' Slayer, Episode 59: Slayer & Branding... or, Slayer Gets Cooler

    Talkin' Slayer, Episode 59: Slayer & Branding... or, Slayer Gets Cooler
    Sep 16 2024
    Today’s topic is Slayer and branding. Ferris talks about what Slayer means, and what it’s worth — to the band, to brands, and to us fans. This is some Thrash 101 talk, but you get advanced metrics & rock theory, too. Do you wear the mark? Who sells more T-shirts... Slayer, the [Rolling] Stones, the Foo Fighters, or Metallica? Do the Foo Fighters rock or suck? How is Reign in Blood selling these days? Has the thrashiest Big Four Thrash B[r]and sold out? We look at some numbers and render judgment. Right before Slayer return for their hotly anticipated reunion shows and sell a barge load of T-shirts, the most high-profile Slayer product is… a series of cooler and refrigeration products with Slayer’s name, logo, and artwork on them. Does this partnership enterprise make sense? Business & branding writer Cheryl Wischover interviewed Ferris for her article “Slayer Sells Out?", for the Whatever Nevermind Substack. Click here to read it. Longtime listeners may recognize some of tonight's points. For newcomers, the show covers some basic Slayer & heavy metal 101. But this week also features new original research, thoughts, and commentary on our metal heroes — and what it takes to make a dollar and a cent in the music game in 2024. This is another unusual episode. Talkin’ Slayer is generally a weekly podcast. And it is mostly about the history of the band, based on original interviews and extensive archival research. Ferris usually reads a chapter or two or three from his book Slayer 66 2/3: A Metal Band Biography, which has a ton of sick photos and graphics, and is cheap online. So is the other book he wrote about the band, which is an entire freakin’ book about Reign in Blood. It’s not expensive. People like it. Talkin' Slayer will return next week, with a report from Slayer's first reunion show at Chicago's RiotFest. DEEZ NOTEZ… as referenced in the show: IF YOU'RE NEW, PROBABLY SKIP THIS EPISODE AND LISTEN TO THESE ONES INSTEAD Talkin’ Slayer Episode 6, "And the Saga Begins." The episodic chronological story of Slayer starts here Talkin’ Slayer episode 57: I review a Kerry King / Mastodon concert Talkin’ Slayer episode 55: I discuss the Kerry King album Please take the Slaytanic Surveys. AND tell your friends about the survey. Post it. Pass it around. The more the better. They're easy and fast. 1) The Slaytanic Survey (Round 2): Please tell us about your favorite songs and albums. ⁠⁠ 2) The OTHER Slayantic Survey (Round 1): Who is Slayer's MVP? What was their best tour? Do you see the reunion coming? What's your LEAST favorite record? And...? Tell us here. Images and video of CARVE SLAYER The story of the man who carved Slayer into his forearm for Divine Intervention. ...and video of it. The best Carve Slayer stickers, in many styles and languages. The second-most infamous image of Slayer carved into human flesh, by Claire & Jeremy Weiss. There's a photo of SLAYER carved into the back of a bald head, but it's clearly fake. Talkin' Slayer is deeply researched, written, rehearsed, lightly edited, and member-supported, with some production value. Click here to check out Ferris' Slayer books here. Click here to see Ferris' other books at ⁠Amazon. ⁠ Talkin' Slayer is deeply researched, written, rehearsed, lightly edited, and member-supported, with some production value. #Slayer #FooFighters #Metallica #RollingStones #Igloo #RiotFest #DaveGrohl
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    53 mins
  • Episode 58: Podcast Postmortem... Talkin' Talkin' Slayer on Talking Bollocks

    Episode 58: Podcast Postmortem... Talkin' Talkin' Slayer on Talking Bollocks
    Sep 9 2024

    This week's topic: Acid Reign frontman/Talking Bollocks host/Motörcast host/all around standup guy Howard "H" Smith interviews Talkin' Slayer host D.X. Ferris about this show, Slayer, Kerry King, organizational harmony, and what it's all about. This is mostly a behind-the-scenes look at the show, where it came from, and how it happens. And, of course, they talk about Slayer, Kerry King, and more.


    Click HERE to support the show via Patreon or a one-time donation.


    DEEZ NOTEZ… as referenced in the show:

    Talkin' Slayer on the Instagram


    The Talking Bollocks internet talk show programme. As of this writing, H’s latest guest is Yngve Anderson of Rat Lord & Blood and Command..


    Talking Bollocks on Apple


    Talking Bollocks on Spotify


    “Slayer Sells Out?”… The article Cheryl Wischhover and Fawnia Soo Hoo wrote, where I answer some questions about Slayer the band and Slayer the brand. More about this next episode.


    IF YOU'RE NEW, PROBABLY SKIP THIS EPISODE AND LISTEN TO THESE ONES INSTEAD


    Talkin’ Slayer episode 6: And the saga begins: The episodic chronological story of Slayer starts here


    Talkin’ Slayer episode 57: I review a Kerry King / Mastodon concert


    Talkin’ Slayer episode 55: I discuss the Kerry King album

    Also, please take the Slaytanic Surveys. AND tell your friends about the survey. Post it. Pass it around. The more the better.


    1) The Slaytanic Survey (Round 2): Please tell us about your favorite songs and albums. ⁠⁠


    2) The OTHER Slayantic Survey (Round 1): Who is Slayer's MVP? What was their best tour? Do you see the reunion coming? What's your LEAST favorite record? And...? Tell us here.


    Talkin' Slayer is deeply researched, written, rehearsed, lightly edited, and member-supported, with some production value.


    Click here to check out Ferris' Slayer books here.


    Click here to see Ferris' other books at ⁠Amazon. ⁠


    Talkin' Slayer is deeply researched, written, rehearsed, lightly edited, and member-supported, with some production value.

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    1 hr and 30 mins
  • Talkin' Slayer, Episode 57: Live Review of Kerry King Band & Mastodon. Plus updates.

    Talkin' Slayer, Episode 57: Live Review of Kerry King Band & Mastodon. Plus updates.
    Aug 15 2024

    WE ARE BACK! I saw Kerry's band and Mastodon live in Cleveland Friday. And here's what I thought about it.

    More new episodes are coming soon. Plus plenty of reruns after that.

    DEEZ NOTES:

    Click here to see some photos and video from the show:

    https://www.patreon.com/posts/pic-n-nat-from-9-109914077

    As mentioned in the episode... This is my 2011 interview with Brann Dailor, for Alternative Press.

    https://www.altpress.com/mastodon_brann_dailor_interview/

    Here's Ferris talking Talkin' Slayer on the Talking Bollocks podcast show program with Howard "H" Smith:

    Apple:

    https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/episode-253-talking-bollocks-talkin-slayer-with-dx-ferris/id796637733?i=1000663909472

    Spotify:

    https://open.spotify.com/episode/69Kqw3zBCyPhLdSdrB8W95?si=3e9b34a9ae784b17

    Free listeners miss every other episode. If you want full access to every chapter/episode, you can subscribe here: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/slayerbook/membership⁠

    Or if you would rather pay a one-time fee or donate to the virtual tip jar... you can do that too. Click that link for details.

    If you haven't, please take the Slaytanic Surveys. AND tell your friends about the survey. Post it. Pass it around. The more the better!

    1) The Slaytanic Survey (Round 2): Please tell us about your favorite songs and albums. ⁠https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7YRH76S⁠

    2) The OTHER Slayantic Survey (Round 1): Who is Slayer's MVP? What was their best tour? Do you see the reunion coming? What's your LEAST favorite record? And...? Tell us here: ⁠https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/S9729MV


    Talkin' Slayer is deeply researched, written, rehearsed, lightly edited, and member-supported, with some production value.

    See Ferris' Slayer books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SlayerBio.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Look at Ferris' other books at Amazon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.amazon.com/stores/D.-X.-Ferris/author/B001JS65YC⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get fresh content on the Insta: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram.com/SlayerBooks⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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    52 mins
  • Talkin' Slayer, Episode 56: Rerun... International Day of Slayer & Christ Illusion

    Talkin' Slayer, Episode 56: Rerun... International Day of Slayer & Christ Illusion
    Jun 6 2024

    HAPPY INTERNATIONAL DAY OF SLAYER. This episode features the origin story for this heavy metal holiday. And it also covers Christ Illusion... how the classic lineup got back to the business of making new music.

    This is a rerun, but if you're not a Patreon supporter, you haven't heard it before. FARGIN' SLAYERRR!

    Free listeners miss every other episode. If you want full access to every chapter/episode, you can subscribe here: https://www.patreon.com/slayerbook/membership

    Or if you would rather pay a one-time fee or donate to the virtual tip jar... you can do that too. Click the link for details.

    DEEZ NOTES:

    If you haven't, please take the Slaytanic Surveys. AND tell your friends about the survey. Post it. Pass it around. The more the better!

    1) The Slaytanic Survey (Round 2): Please tell us about your favorite songs and albums. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7YRH76S

    2) The OTHER Slayantic Survey (Round 1): Who is Slayer's MVP? What was their best tour? Do you see the reunion coming? What's your LEAST favorite record? And...? Tell us here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/S9729MV

    Slayer’s “Eternal Pyre” EP, featuring “Cult,” “War Ensemble” live, and in-the-studio/behind-the-scenes footage:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44tcKdhlsJ4

    Three clips from 2007 rehearsal, centered mostly on Jeff:

    “Supremist,” 2007 rehearsal:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUSP8wOZs_4

    “Ghosts of War,” 2007 rehearsal:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pi8SkdJ4aAk

    “Jihad,” 2007 rehearsal:
    ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4Ao4rr8DGk

    Official video, “Eyes of the Insane”:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhwRunMCNAo

    “Cult” live on the Henry Rollins Show, 2006:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZSbIwE_BKM

    “Disciple,” unaired clip from the Henry Rollins Show, 2006:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wufl37-lKVI

    Slayer interview on the Rollins show:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwvq7pZd7qo

    Unholy Alliance tour video 2006, General Motors Place, Vancouver Canada. Slayer & Mastodon and…
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilSTILZY3ZU

    My Spotify playlist of the all-Kerry songs from Christ Illusion:
    https://open.spotify.com/playlist/10JGYS25ef6n2rEr3lHbIw?si=4b186f646f5d4325

    Does Christ Illusion hold up? Tim Bianconi from Inside the Vinyl revisits it, as part of his Lost Classic series:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24Vf4RvSn-c
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    38 mins
  • Talkin' Slayer, Episode 55: Talkin' the Kerry Album... A Long, Conversational Review of From Hell I Rise

    Talkin' Slayer, Episode 55: Talkin' the Kerry Album... A Long, Conversational Review of From Hell I Rise
    May 27 2024

    Today's topic is my long review & analysis of the Kerry King album From Hell I Rise. More important, what do YOU think about it? Tell me in the comments. I really want to hear what yiz think.

    Show notes follow, after these updates.

    Free listeners miss every other episode. If you want full access to every chapter/episode, you can subscribe here: https://www.patreon.com/slayerbook/membership

    Or if you would rather pay a one-time fee or donate to the virtual tip jar... Following are links to support the show — and, in return, you can get things like bonus episodes, the audiobook edit of the show, CARVE SLAYER stickers and more:


    1) You can make a one-time donation via ko-fi.com/slayerbook. You can make a one-time payment with PayPal, Venmo, or a credit card.


    2) Same deal: You can PayPal some gratitude to the show at paypal.me/slayerbook.

    DEEZ NOTES:

    If you haven't, please take the Slaytanic Surveys. AND tell your friends about the survey. Post it. Pass it around. The more the better!

    1) The Slaytanic Survey (Round 2): Please tell us about your favorite songs and albums. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7YRH76S

    2) The OTHER Slayantic Survey (Round 1): Who is Slayer's MVP? What was their best tour? Do you see the reunion coming? What's your LEAST favorite record? And...? Tell us here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/S9729MV

    Kerry King "Toxic" video, which kicks ass eventually: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2TmL78eHg0

    Kerry King band album review: Kory Grow of Rolling Stone says: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/kerry-king-from-hell-i-rise-review-1235022884/

    Kerry King band album review, video: Our bud Keefy at Ghost Cult says: https://youtu.be/ahPsvCEFAJo

    Kerry King band album review: Metal Sucks says: https://www.metalsucks.net/2024/05/17/review-kerry-kings-from-hell-i-rise-is-too-familiar-for-its-own-good

    Kerry King band album review: For a UK perspective, the Moshville Times says: https://www.moshville.co.uk/reviews/album-review/2024/05/album-review-kerry-king-from-hell-i-rise/#google_vignette


    Talkin' Slayer is (normally) deeply researched, written, rehearsed, lightly edited, and member-supported, with some production value.


    See Ferris' Slayer books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SlayerBio.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Look at Ferris' other books at Amazon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.amazon.com/stores/D.-X.-Ferris/author/B001JS65YC⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Get fresh content on the Insta: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram.com/SlayerBooks⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


    #KerryKing

    #FromHellIRise

    #Slayer

    #TalkinSlayer
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    48 mins
  • Talkin' Slayer, Episode 54: Jeff Hanneman, 11 Years Gone...Did He Throw in the Towel After Diabolus?

    Talkin' Slayer, Episode 54: Jeff Hanneman, 11 Years Gone...Did He Throw in the Towel After Diabolus?
    May 2 2024
    May 2, 2013... a day that will live in infamy. Talkin' Slayer is back, to commemorate the 11th anniversary of Jeff Hanneman's untimely, shocking demise. One of the listeners asked if Jeff actively retreated from his dominant creative role in the band, following the disappointing reception of 1998's Diabolus in Musica. That's a good question. So we get into it, using some old facts and new statistics. The part of the podcast where author D.X. Ferris reads his Slayer band biography is over. For now. But stay tuned... Slayer is back. And Kerry King's solo album and tour about are nearly ready to go. So you'll have things you want to talk about. And I will too. If you haven't yet, please take a minute to answer two Slayer surveys — and tell some friends. They're all multiple choice questions. It's fast and easy. Pass it around. The more the better. Don't let the Slayer Nation think your favorite album suxx! 1) The Slaytanic Survey (Round 2): Please tell us about your favorite songs and albums. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7YRH76S 2) The OTHER Slayantic Survey (Round 1): Who is Slayer's MVP? What was their best tour? Do you see the reunion coming? What's your LEAST favorite record? And...? Tell us here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/S9729MV VIRTUAL TIP JAR: Season 1 is done, and we are passing the hat. Following are links to support the show — and, in return, you can get things like bonus episodes, the audiobook edit of the show, CARVE SLAYER stickers and more: 1) Make a one-time donation via ko-fi.com/slayerbook. You can make a one-time payment with PayPal, Venmo, or a credit card. 2) Same deal: You can PayPal some gratitude to the show at paypal.me/slayerbook. Watch the first Kerry King video here: “Residue.” https://youtu.be/2fALV3X9jB4?si=uq1TIATm0Z1DHwPj Talkin' Slayer is deeply researched, written, rehearsed, lightly edited, and member-supported, with some production value. See Ferris' Slayer books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SlayerBio.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Look at Ferris' other books at Amazon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.amazon.com/stores/D.-X.-Ferris/author/B001JS65YC⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get fresh content on the Insta: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram.com/SlayerBooks⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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    41 mins
  • Talkin' Slayer, Episode 49... This. Was. The. End. Mostly.

    Talkin' Slayer, Episode 49... This. Was. The. End. Mostly.
    Apr 1 2024
    Take TWO Slayer surveys if you have a couple minutes, please. They're simple, it's fast... all you have to do is click answers for nine questions in each survey. 1) The Slaytanic Survey (Round 2): Please tell us about your favorite songs and albums. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7YRH76S 2) The OTHER Slayantic Survey (Round 1): Who is Slayer's MVP? What was their best tour? Do you see the reunion coming? What's your LEAST favorite record? And...? Tell us here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/S9729MV Today's topic is the end of Slayer's Final World Tour (TM)... That and the leadup to & aftermath following the band's hazy demise. Slayer existed opaquely, and it perished opaquely. Here is what we know. This was once the final chapter in the epic saga of Slayer. But now it's not. However... today's episode is the end for most listeners, but not for all. Support the show and never miss an episode. Sign up at Patreon.com/SlayerBook . Regardless, don't cancel that subscription. There is more to come in the next few months... VIRTUAL TIP JAR: Season 1 is almost done, and we are passing the hat. Following are links to support the show — and, in return, you can get things like bonus episodes, the audiobook edit of the show, CARVE SLAYER stickers, and more: 1) Make a one-time donation via ko-fi.com/slayerbook. You can make a one-time payment with PayPal, Venmo, or a credit card. 2) Same deal: You can PayPal Team Ferris some gratitude at paypal.me/slayerbook. 3) If you want to sign up as a monthly supporter for the final episodes, and maybe stay on board for Season 2 In the Abyss: All-Killer-Zero-Filler Reruns... you can learn more at Patreon.com/SlayerBook. And/or buy Ferris' books at 6623Press.com. DEEZ NOTES, as referenced in the show: "Fortified With Ashes," the title track of the lastest EP by Talkin' Slayer house band Chupacabra. This is the non-Slayer tune that pops up about midway thru. https://chupacabrametal.bandcamp.com/track/fortified-with-ashes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvb380cJwLg Select citations and endnotes from chapter 66.6: “It’s Over, Johnny.” 666-1. “Here Is the Setlist for Slayer's Final Show.” Kerrang online. December 1, 2019. https://www.kerrang.com/here-is-the-setlist-for-slayers-final-show 666-2. YouTube has plenty of great video from the final concert. These clips of the end are my favorites: “Slayer - last concert Los Angeles - Angel of Death & Slayer says Goodbye.” It’s shaky yet awesome amateur footage from the front row. Posted 1 December 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1YfWHIjBOg “Angel of Death (FINAL SONG / FAREWELL SPEECH).” Zoomed footage from the cheap seats. Posted 1 December 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5pkbA1t2E4 666-6. Araya first posted the image of the classic Slayer lineup with Trump on Trump’s inauguration day, 20 January 2017. Over 100,000 fans liked the first post. That initial post soon disappeared. The second Trump photo stands at an untitled Instagram post, on the official Slayer account, @slayerbandofficial, 24 January 2017, which identified it as from being from Tom: https://www.instagram.com/p/BPqUjICAi8d/ Araya explained, “I thought it was funny,” followed by language with a conservative bent: “I was amazed at the comments about the picture. Some positive. Some negative. More amazing was in 2 hours there was 10,000 likes. I never would have guessed that there where so many snowflakes commenting their distaste for the new president. Woke up the next morning and found someone had deleted the post. Can someone please explain why?” This quotation features Araya’s post with modified grammar and punctuation, for clarity and courtesy. Keep in mind: In Slayer’s 1996 cover of 80s punk nugget “Superficial Love,” Tom changed an anti-Reagan line to “President Clinton can suck my motherf@ckin’ d!ck” — which he’s allowed to do. And while I’m defending his right to voice his opinions, let’s also be clear: I don’t agree. Which doesn’t matter.
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    38 mins
  • Episode 47: The St. Patrick's Day Massacre, Featuring a Book Report, More Mandatory Material, and the Slaytanic Leprechaun

    Episode 47: The St. Patrick's Day Massacre, Featuring a Book Report, More Mandatory Material, and the Slaytanic Leprechaun
    Mar 18 2024
    Another long one. It's a full hour. Three topics this week: 1) A book report about Tom's sister's history of her family -- mostly her dad and brother. 2) An annotated list of some other Slayer-related material. And 3) a deep meditation on the pagan significance of the Slayer Leprechaun. Seriously. Two weeks ago: We looked at the beginning of Slayer's life after Jeff. Last week: Patreon listeners received 2.5 hours of content. First a report about the Relentless "Final World Tour." And then they got a long breakdown of -- and commentary on -- Kerry King's Rolling Stone interview by Kory Grow. Next week: The Slaytanic Survey... Which albums and songs are fan favorites? Tune in and find out. Then two or three more episodes, and the show is over. For now. VIRTUAL TIP JAR: The show is almost done, and we are passing the hat. Following are links to support the show -- and, in return, you can get things like bonus episodes, the audiobook edit of the show (when it's done, which will be soon), CARVE SLAYER stickers, and more: 1) Make a one-time donation via ko-fi.com/slayerbook. You can make a one-time payment with PayPal, Venmo, or a credit card. 2) Same deal: You can PayPal Ferris at paypal.me/slayerbook. 3) If you want to sign up as a monthly supporter for the final episodes and maybe stay on board for Season 2 In the Abyss: All-Killer-Zero-Filler Reruns... you can learn more at Patreon.com/SlayerBook. And/or buy Ferris' books at 6623Press.com. DEEZ NOTES, as referenced in the show: Slayer photo book, both editions. Portraits of Slayer, Words by David Ling. https://www.rufuspublications.com/rufusbooks/slayer/ Araya, Jeanette. Bloodline: The Araya Story. Revised first edition: 2015, p. 8. Archway Publishing. Bloomington, Indiana. 116 pages. https://www.amazon.com/Books-Jeanette-Araya/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3AJeanette+Araya Patricio Jara. Slayer: Read In Blood (1986-2016): 30 Años Del Clasico De Slayer. Chile: Planeta. 2016. 172 pages. Mehling, Shane. “Meet the Man Who Carved ‘Slayer’ Into His Flesh.” September 6, 2016. Clrvynt. Archived at http://clrvynt.com/slayer-michael-meyer/ “A Tribute to Jeff Hanneman, Written by Dave Lombardo.” By Dave Lombardo, as told to Dave Everley. Metal Hammer (online). 25 September 2018. https://www.loudersound.com/features/a-tribute-to-jeff-hanneman-written-by-dave-lombardo Divita, Joe. “Here’s Over An Hour Of Pantera Jamming With Slayer’s Kerry King.” Loudwire (online). 26 September 2018. At Loudwire.com. https://loudwire.com/pantera-jamming-slayer-kerry-king-video/ “PANTERA with KERRY KING. 1989.05.18 (Hangin Out & Rehearsals).” Video posted by Concert Matrix Reloaded Nov 27, 2013 at YouTube. Three segments from May 18-20, 1989 in Fort. Worth, TX. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Suk_80ittN4 About the show: Talkin' Slayer: A Metal Podcast and Half-@ssed Audiobook is an audio adaptation of D.X. Ferris' book Slayer 66 & 2/3: A Band Biography (2024 Update, the REBORN Edition). This illustrated, exhaustively researched rock book features many cool photos, 2 appendices (3 in ebook), and over 400 citations/endnotes. Ferris also wrote the 33 1/3 book about Reign in Blood.
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    1 hr and 2 mins