Former Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo has shared insights about the creation of the band’s iconic track ‘Raining Blood’ in a recent interview with 100 Songs That Define Heavy Metal. Jeff Hanneman’s significant contribution to the song’s composition included both the drum and guitar parts.
“Jeff recorded the demo,” Lombardo explained. “He recorded the drums and the guitar and presented that to us at rehearsal.”
“And we thought it was a little odd. It was, like, ‘What? You just want it to start this way?'” he continued. “And I don’t know where the idea, where the rain came in, but the song was practically done, and it was on cassette. And we thought it was great, at least once the riff kicked in. That blew us away.”
The song appears on Slayer’s 1986 album ‘Reign in Blood.’ Both Hanneman and Kerry King share songwriting credits for the track.
This revelation about the song’s creation process sheds new light on one of thrash metal’s most influential recordings. The track’s history contains several interesting details worth exploring.
Recording Process
The band recorded the entire album at Hit City West Studios in Los Angeles, as noted by Louder Sound. Producer Rick Rubin’s involvement transformed Slayer’s sound by making it tighter and faster than their previous works.
The band came to the studio thoroughly prepared. Their extensive rehearsal process led to highly efficient recording sessions.
Studio Efficiency
Louder Sound’s historical analysis highlighted the band’s exceptional studio performance. Lombardo demonstrated particular efficiency by completing all drum parts within just a few days.
The band’s technical proficiency and clear vision resulted in a quick studio turnaround. This rapid recording process helped preserve the raw energy that became the record’s signature characteristic.
Album Impact
Historical records show that ‘Reign in Blood’ became a pivotal moment for both Slayer and thrash metal. The album established new standards for production quality and musical intensity within the genre.
‘Raining Blood’ remains one of the band’s most celebrated songs in the metal community. Lombardo’s recent revelation about Hanneman’s demo demonstrates how the track’s legendary status originated from its earliest conception.
