I Really Shouldn't Love Slayer's "Angel Of Death"... BUT I DO 

The song isn't about glorifying the angel of death. It's about making you aware of the attrocities the humans can do.

and most important thing Jeff said is: “There’s nothing I put in the lyrics that says necessarily [Mengele] was a bad man, because to me - well, isn’t that obvious? I shouldn’t have to tell you that.”

This song taught me more about the evils of mengele than any government school ever did.

Slayer has always been about indicting man's inhumanity to man.

Instrumentally speaking, it is a Thrash masterpiece! Sorry about your grandparents, those were dark times.

This song really is just a history lesson. The part of our history that we should remember in order NOT to repeat. And thou Jeff not directly labels Mengele as bad, but phrases like "rancid angel of death" and "sickening ways to achieve the holocaust" could push one in the right direction. Also Tom Araya is of Chilean descent and Dave Lombardo is Cuban. You know, your exemplary aryan type.

Comparing Slayer to Hieronymus Bosch is an amazing analogy.

I'm an Israeli metal music fan with two Holocaust survivor grandparents. When visiting Yad Vashem 10-15 years ago as a student, I was surprised to see Angel of Death lyrics included in a collection of Holocaust-related songs written on a gallery walls for education. I already liked this song and Slayer beforehand, and it definitely shed a different light for me, changing my perspective about this song and made me appreciate it even more!

Beyond the controversial subject matter, the musicianship of the band is unparelleled. That is why we are still discussing the song, decades later.

I was a middle class white kid in high school when this album came out and it changed my life I always thought this song was from the "This is Fucked Up" perspective and I assumed the scream at the beginning is someone being tortured There were friends of mine that thought the Nazi stuff was cool Another positive thing about this song is that it caused debate amongst us on the subject and I found out who I didn't want to be friends with

That is the heaviest song ever written. I’ve loved that band all my life. It’s like spinach to Popeye for Slayer fans. Slayer is an intricately detailed sonic representation of the horrible side of life. That’s why it’s shocking and people are torn on whether they like it or not. It’s okay to like it! They solved thousands of times more problems than they ever caused.🤟

I am also Jewish, and I have Holocaust survivors in my family. I am also a die-hard metalhead and I love Slayer, including this song. This song was an introduction to the Holocaust for many people out there and because of that, I think the world is a better place. A big part of Holocaust education is knowing exactly how wretched, hopeless, and brutal it was and knowing how genocide happens through dehumanization. This song does that. The song also gets props in that the victims were not separated by groups or just described as Jews, as not just Jews were victims. And that's just the lyrics. Musically, the song is a masterpiece of heavy metal, a gem among gems placed in one of the greatest metal albums ever released, Reign in Blood. I was asked one time by friends who are Christian and also metalheads if I had a moral problem with the song because of the subject matter? I said: absolutely not.

The beginning scream was the first take in the recording studio. Tom was unable to duplicate it since this was recorded. Listen to and remember live shows, he has never truly repeated that scream.

THE quintessential Slayer masterpiece. this song has probably created more metalheads than any other in memory. NOBODY in pop-music would touch a subject such as this. thank you, Jeff Hanneman (rip)

Awesome tune from one of the greatest bands.

That album is a classic. Short and brutal. And yeah, that is a violent, evil song.

As a Slayer fan for many years I can say with confidence we all know it's about Mengele. I feel that a VAST majority of us understand it's an indictment of the horrors he inflicted. I do agree there are some that misinterpret it as pro-Nazism song but there is no reason you should carry guilt about that fringe group of people. There are other groups that thrive on terribly misconstrued tenets, but you can't blame yourself for Christianity...

Seen them 7 times. They play this in every show. Known, fact he escaped. Lived out the rest of his life in South America.

Slayer is as dark as it gets without going full blown Death/Satan. Know them all...great dudes.

Tom Araya said himself that there is evil inside each and everyone of us. Some just chose to show it. He also said there are some things you just don't do.

I'm English, my grandparents served in WWII. This song, as difficult as it is to listen to, is a valuble part of modern culture. There are many ways to observe history, this is one. The day we stop talking about these dark periods of history is the day we make the same mistakes.

I Found It Fascinating to Watch Carice's face as the song progressed. From her starting smile to the end, she was in disbelief. Seeing someone new/fresh to the song and how it can have such a powerful effect on the listener captured me as a viewer. It was authentic from start to finish.

Thank you for this. Once in a rare moment you find something on yt that changes your views on the world and you did that for me. Thank you.

Well said, Sir! Textured. sensitive and unerring look at how you can enjoy the song. Brave and civilised man!

Thank you for a great conversation about a tough subject that the world needs to remember ........ !!!!

"a LITTLE dark". paraphrasing: "this song is about the Nazi doctor that selected my great grandparents for death..." I've heard this song a 1000 times at least and far more shocking lyrically in the greater genre, but I found that statement very difficult to fully digest upon hearing. The song is a journey into an idea. The reminder that the idea was real is just terrifying and we truly can't forget that real people are capable of these things that seem like dark fantasy.

I love your description of the riffs. Metal is hard to play,not always but if you rip,then you are doing work. Been playing in metal bands for 30 years myself.

So much honesty in this video! Refreshing! Congratulations!

This was a very good discussion on Angel of Death. Seasons in the Abyss is also some more of Slayer's best work to give a thorough listen and discussion on 👍

Slayer, like Metallica and some other speedmetal giants, can be interpreted as what I call 'Thinking Man's metal'. They neither praise nor admonish Mengele's atrocities: like all good art they provide a mirror to what has taken place by/among humanity in reality -- in this form, via heavy metal. They perform this same brutal, no-holds-barred metal art form on other disturbing topics as well: serial killers ("Dead Skin Mask"), and even abortion ("Silent Scream"). No judgement: just a reflection in a different form of art. Personally I think they're brilliant at it. Thanks for the vid!

At 10:30 you shouldn’t take on that burden because people like that are going to think the way they think regardless of the song. And, at this point in time, the controversy surrounding the song is well known enough that the fans of this genre already know what Slayer meant by this. I always looked at metal as a way to talk about things most can’t have a casual conversation about. It tells the truth in a way simply talking doesn’t quite achieve. A lot of it is extremely esoteric.

This is completely about making people aware. Jeff wrote the song with that mind set. Jeff is a regular guy that would use mostly war topics for inspiration to write lyrics. I actually randomly cross paths with Jeff as I was pulling into a parking lot of a restaurant. As I drove past him I only kinda quietly said Slayer with some horns 🤘🏻 because I knew he’s a private person and didn’t want to bother him. His wife got a kick out it because she was laughing probably because i noticed him. After I said that to him my brother ask if he was wearing a slayer shirt and I said “no dude that was slayer” he didn’t notice it was him.

Awesome reaction. So honest and important. Really appreciate your perspective and insight

This is a really brilliant nuanced discussion. Thank you.

Thank you my friend. As a grandson of Auschwitz survivors from Dutch Jews...I understand where you coming from. As an 80s thrash fan it took me decades to come to a point of being able to listen to slayer

It's a way of shining light on the atrocities created by some elements of humanity. The previous generation of heavy rockers Black Sabbath did the same in songs like "Electric Funeral" and "Children of the Grave", though not as explicitly.

The song is iconic, Probably the most iconic thrash tune ever written, If you take out the music and have someone read the lyrics, They're getting a lesson in history about the horrors of WWII.

I loved this when I was younger just because of the music. It was the heaviest thing I’d ever listened to to that point musically. Then I became an old man and one day I decided to watch a lyric video, and it made me weep. I had no idea that’s what it was about. And I don’t have the familial connection, but I had a human connection. Thank you for this reaction and analysis.

Didn't expect to find Carice discussing Slayer as a fellow Dutchie. Nice to see to approach metal and the lyrics in an adult way.

Just like Slayer says in the song "Temptation", "...Have you ever wondered why it seems that evil you're attracted to?"

Wow, a video I didn’t know I needed. So glad I discovered this reaction and a long time fan of Slayer (I bought this album on the day it was released) I truly appreciate your love (and hate) of this song. Also, the fact that your family has such a tragic, personal connection to it makes it this reaction even more visceral. I truly wanted to express my appreciation for your love of this song as a piece of art. Edit: other art that is similar to this in my mind - Francis Bacon paintings and the film “Four Lions” by Chris Morris.

Incredibly level-headed discussion of the pain behind the atrocities of Auschwitz, Daniel. Fascinating discussion, and much respect to be able to go there so lucidly.

Good content. Pretty brave to open yourself like that mate.

Damn, now THAT is a song reaction! Thanks!

I discovered your channel by luck, thanks to RU-vid. I already "know" Carice by her incredible talent of actress but I discover you at the moment Daniel. I feel very sorry for your family history and the aftermath that it has on several generations. As you said, Slayer is one of those bands that take on difficult subjects or hide the worst aspects of the human being. Angel of Death is one of those songs, like Daddy by Korn (don't listen to that one unless you're close, it's, if you can say, even worse!). I think this song is a great history lesson that exposes both Mengele's madness and the despair of the victims, treated as both animals (vermin even) and enemies. With access to all the horror films and facts of our times, many terms or images resonate easily and chill the blood, where a "simple accounting" and sequence of numbers and dates as we learn in school does not mark as much. I have always seen this song as a way of testifying to what the victims of the camps went through, without a deportee having to go back and write it. It is a way of saying "this suffering that was caused, it is a suffering to humanity". I hope that this channel will grow to the height of what it deserves, which is much more! (for information, the singer of the group, Tom Araya, is a Christian, far from the imagery that the group gives, isn't it?)

This was an incredible discussion about this song. I love that even decades after its release it’s still making an impact. I actually grew up hearing this song, I first heard it when I was around 9 or 10 and I’m turning 27 now. When I learned it was about Mengele I took that knowledge in stride and I am firmly convinced that because of him the Holocaust is one of the worst tragedies in human history. This song is a brutally honest, sobering depiction of human depravity and I believe with full conviction that every person should hear it and have the context explained to them at least once. I’m definitely subbing to this channel. Amazingly thoughtful discussion.

Such amazing insight - your grandparents died in Auschwitz and this is exactly what the song is about - the brutality of Mengele. Really grateful to hear your experience. Thank you for sharing.

Interesting to hear your thoughts on it. Great tune

It makes me very happy to hear your connection and take on this song, and that you can enjoy it. Slayer is so amazing, and I want everyone to get the same feeling I do from their music. I understand the topic is controversial, but tackling the darker topics can make for a extremely artistic and deeper piece, which is a great thing!

This is one of the best Slayer reactions and analysis I've ever seen on RU-vid. You've nailed everything about the band, the song, and the album. Sorry about your grandparents. Fuck the holocaust, nazis, and Hitler.

Thank you for the reaction.

You should do “Disciple” re-listening to it now in 24 is scary prophetic since it came out in 2001.

Ive been a Slayer fan since they started in 82 and this is the most intelligent reaction to one of their songs ive ever heard. Bravo Sir ! . Would love to se your take on other metal songs.

This is the most important slayer reaction on RU-vid, its a song, just like a horror film, bad things happened, and still do

this is the most unbiased and very intellectual observation of a song that many people throughout history have conflicting views on

Incredibly insightful commentary. Wow.

When i listen to Slayer, my neighbors do too!

Wow... first time I heard a person talking about this song who has a real relation to it. I'm german and for me, it is so important to always remember and never forget our history. This song is not some kind of a gloryfication, it describes what happened really. "Angel of death , flying free" ... Mengele escaped and never got judged... ... Ps I am a big fan about your words. Very intelligent analised and thank god you got the song's intention. "South of heaven" is another song to read between the lines

I’ve been listening to music like this for well over 40 years. I’m perfectly normal

It's great to see Daniel's eagerness to engage with darkness, and face it, and become more open, aware, and wise because of it. When you face dragons, you can get treasure.

Dont feel ashamed for liking this. We should be able to appreciate art independently of our identity, thats what makes music unite people.

It's incredible how this song paints such a horrific picture of History. It's brutally honest. Everyone should know that this song tells a story and doesn't celebrate what happened.

Love your take on it.

its helarious to watch the dudes reaction half way in when he realizes the lady is clearly in pain. SLAYER!!!

Y'all, I'm wanting to give you both a fuckin hug. I'm half German, hearing you both talking about this intelligently, is honestly making me tear up more than a little bit. Thank you for this. No fuckin shit.

great reaction and break down. very smart

Too me it's a History Lesson that we didn't learn in school. Because Hittlers SS was verry sick.

I missed the name of your channel at first and thought this discussion was going to be more about the style of the music, and not the lyrics. I was going to say, I find it unusual that I love Slayer in the same way I love mellow music like jazz or Steely Dan. Slayer has a certain special something that I love in that same way, even though it's kind of obnoxious. Anyway, great discussion, I wasn't expecting you to get that deep, but I really enjoyed your comments. Liked and subscribed.

My condolences to your grandparents suffering & dying at Auschwitz….I feel your pain & no words can describe what they went thru;…as a history teacher & HUGE Slayer fan, I see this as a great historical picture of a VERY fucked up part of history…very sad….even Jeff Hanneman stated that it’s just a historical document of a very dark part of history…the good thing is that it created awareness of how horrid the Nazis, Hitler & Mengele were. It helps us realize that this cannot be repeated….knowing history will get us to not repeat the sins of the past….GREAT REACTION 🤘🏽🤘🏽🤘🏽🤘🏽🤘🏽🤘🏽🤘🏽🤘🏽

I'm Hungarian, my grandfather was ethnically jewish but his family has lived as a christian since 1900. So at the time WW2 begun he already was a soldier and he was enlisted in the 2nd Hungarian Army (he wasn't discriminated by anti-jewish laws, but the commanders knew he was ethnically jewish). So he was sent to the front. After Stalingrad the whole 2nd Hungarian army was obliterated by the Soviets, 120-160.000 soldiers died, he came back and only lost a couple of his toes and 30 kg-os of his weight. He was a wreck so he was sent home. In 1944 they tried to enlist him again, but he just saw his relatives being deported to Auschwitz and most of his family inprisioned in the Budapest Ghetto. So he begun hiding and joined the Buda voluntary regiment later which fought against the nazis. Slayer is my favourite band. They are not nazi, they never were. Slayer writes about the worst of humanity. The true evil in human nature.

“I’m grateful for artists who can go there “ This 100%

Most important, most inviting conversation on this song reaction. Intelligent back and forth banter. Well done dissecting this content.

Wow, really great commentary on this song. I moved on to even more extreme genres of metal but Slayer has a knack for lyrical brutality, the choice of words, descriptions etc have always impressed me. Especially considering their age at that time, their vocabulary was impressive. I think most would be surprised considering the stereotype of metal being juvenile and not very intelligent. I remember in high-school, a Catholic high school, I was one of few metal heads and a fellow student curiously asked to see the inlay card(1990,cassettes) of Slayer South of Heaven. He read some lyrics and was surprised. He didn't expect what he was reading. He didn't elaborate but I think it was the deep level of lyricism as compared to what was popular at that time like Bon Jovi. Night and day and Slayer isn't known to be intellectuals by any means.

I'm so sorry your family went through that horrible time its so sad I love the he riffs are so good. that even public enemy used that riff you liked in song called channel zero I hear the lyrics as a teaching who that evil monster was. God bless you and your family they're not forgotten

My young life was not so nice and I would have to amp myself up to take care of me and mine. Slayer did the trick for me most of the time

First time watching this channel love the content! As I was watching all I was thinking is that she is the red woman from game of thrones lol

@clarice super gaaf je reactie te zien op een nummer van Slayer. En nee het is geen verheerlijking, ze speelden het vast als laatste nummer van elke set en concerten. Ja het gaat over Mengele, hoe ziek de geest kan zijn. Dead Skin Mask is ook een nummer van Slayer over Ed Gein de serie moordenaar waar de silence of the lambs en American Psycho op gebaseerd zijn. Een van de beste bands aller tijden voor mij persoonlijk 😊

This is a history lesson set to genius level music.

I'm fairly sure there was another song i think on the Seasons In The Abyss album referencing another vile piece of work whose infamous conference at Wannsee January 1942 sealed the fate of millions, Reinhard Heydrich. If i recall there was a lyric something like hangman of Prague, that can only be about one person.

What you said about art and it’s responsibilities or lack thereof was quotable. Well said.

My grandfather and uncle were also murdered in Auschwitz, I also felt discomfort when I first heard this song - it's normal in our cases. I've been a Slayer fan for 35 years

Drummer Dave lumbardo is the grandson of guy lumbardo the man who wrote the new years song.

Best lyrics ever!!!!

Whence begins the interior inquiry into the use of this songs' damned-slow guitar solo sampled within Public Enemy's "She Watch Channel Zero"?

Look at it this way, if it was a movie about mengele with the same subject, everyone would understand what it's about. But because it's music, and metal, people assume because of the style it's an anthem for hate.

This song has been misunderstood from day one. Bands like Slayer hold up a "mirror" to society. For better or worse!

Daniel, you are Right , greets from Germany and a Slayer Fan since the Deep 80ties

I was thinking like she looks like someone I've seen in a tv series, and then realized she could be *the* Carice

I had Reign in Blood on tape. Never had to rewind. Just flipped the tape over and played it again. Over and over. Wore that ghetto blaster out.

god bless you my jewish brother. 2 of my great grandfathers died fighting the Nazis, 1 on the HMS Hood battleship and 1 in operation market garden the massive para drop in 1944. And like you said i don't look at the germans as enemies or disgusted that there are books written by german authors documenting it, if anything im more thankful that such writings exist. I'm not bitter im better for it. 🤝🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

I have to agree you, there so many week minded people that would listen to this and have no idea what it's actually about and take it literally...so sad😢, either way like your perspective on this song!

In my band in the 90’s we used to cover this song. It wasn’t super clear for me in terms of text at that time, but emotionally it was overwhelming. The horrors, in this case very real horrors, passed through this song in my soul with a reality that is unbearable. The first scream is so deeply emotional. For me a Masterpiece and a lesson about Auschwitz that will last for the future generations. To don’t forget the horrors. To don’t repeat it never again.

When I was about to have my 4 wisdom teeth taken out, about 1987, I was 19, the oral surgeon suggested I bring a "walkman" w/some 'soothing music' to help me through the process, my wisdom teeth were impacted, meaning there would be drilling and chiseling in the jawbone...so I thought, perhaps Pink Floyd, Dark Side of the...no, no...I was a young metal head punk, so I chose Slayer, Reign In Blood; the "walkman" had an auto-flip feature, Reign In Blood on cassette was mirrored on both sides of the tape because it is pretty short, I was unable to stop the tape or even turn down the volume...that was an agonizing, excruciating and truly profound experience, while anesthetized with nitrous oxide...I wouldn't trade it for anything

Inspirierend. Und es tut in der Seele weh.

The song is simply story telling of a historical event. Nothing wrong with that.

I think the best example of an incredible song that I enjoy, that's also about an unimaginable horror, has to be Silent Scream. For those not familiar, it's a song from the perspective of an unborn child as its undergoing the process of medically induced abortion. It also switches to the perspective of the mother for a few moments, describing the intrusiveness of the procedure. Given that I can't experience either (being already born and a guy) I still feel like Slayer somehow conveyed a part of the terror and feeling of violation that such an experience must inflict.

Lyrically, Slayer was always controversial. They describe the situation, mostly factual phrases, but with a few telling words. They say "infamous butcher" which is neutral, but they do also say "rancid angel of death, flying free" So they think he is rancid which I cannot resolve with praise or sympathy. It is harsh, but necessary to remember the actual horrors in our history, for if we don't remember it, we are doomed to repeat it. Great analytical breakdown by you two.

Those who deny evil are complicit.

Tom Araya would totally appreciate what you are saying. He is NOT a nazi sympathizer or neo-nazi. He’s bringing awareness and historical knowledge of that movement

I still can't get over Tom Araya pronouncing the "H" in monarch.