Description: Brand new LP. Sealed. Ships safely. Photos are stock images. S.A. SLAYERPrepare to Die MLP SPLATTER High Roller Records, reissue 2023, silver/ black splatter vinyl, ltd 300, insert, mastered for vinyl by Patrick W. Engel at Temple of Disharmony Steve Cooper (R.I.P. 2006) - VocalsDave McClain - DrumsDon Van Stavern - BassArt Villareal - GuitarsBob Catlin - Guitars -The Door-Prepare to Die-Final Holocaust-Unholy Book-To Ride the Demon Out specially mastered for vinyl by Patrick W. Engel/ Temple of Disharmony When guitarists Robert Catlin and Art Villarreal, bassist Don Van Stavern (later of Riot V fame), drummer Dave McClain and vocalist Chris Cronk formed their band Slayer in San Antonio in 1981, they quickly became one of the biggest draws of the critically acclaimed Texas metal scene. Cronk was soon replaced by Steve Cooper. With this line-up they recorded the songs “The Door”, “Prepare To Die”, “Final Holocaust”, “Unholy Book” and “To Ride The Demons Our” for a proposed EP, which was named »Prepare To Die« and originally came out on the obscure local Rainforest Records label in 1983. The material was produced and engineered by Bob O’Neill and Rick Shrieves at B.O.S.S. studios. With the EP under their belts, San Antonio’s Slayer continued to gig locally making a name for themselves as one of the premier progressive power metal bands in North America. However, in order to avoid confusion with their namesakes from California (signed to Metal Blade Records), the band had to officially change their name to S.A. Slayer (short for San Antonio Slayer). On November 30th 1984, S.A. Slayer shared a bill with California Slayer at San Antonio’s infamous Villa Fontana venue. Guitarist Art Villarreal left S.A. Slayer to form his own band Karion. He was replaced by none other than Ron Jarzombek (who went on join Texas Prog Metal legends Watchtower a short while later). Once again under the watchful eyes of Bob O’Neill and Rick Shrieves Texas’ Slayer recorded material for their first full-length album. The record was supposed to come out on Rainforest Records, just like the EP, but before it could be released, the label folded. It took four long years until the Los Angeles based Unter den Linden Records label bought the rights and issued the album. It finally came out in 1988 under the name of »Go For The Throat« but by this time S.A. Slayer had already broken up. The CD edition contains all the tracks of »Prepare To Die« and »Go For The Throat« on one disc. MATTHIAS MADER SA Slayer – Prepare to Die (1983) is the debut EP from SA Slayer, a speed metal band from San Antonio, Texas, and an early contributor to the American thrash and speed metal scenes. Not to be confused with the more famous Slayer from California, SA Slayer carved out a niche in the Texas metal scene with their aggressive sound, technical musicianship, and powerful live performances. They formed in the early 80s, emerging alongside other Texas metal acts, but remained an underground phenomenon during their short run. Overview of Prepare to DieReleased in 1983, Prepare to Die is a raw, high-energy record that mixes the intensity of speed metal with elements of traditional heavy metal. The EP was released independently, and its gritty, unpolished production gives it an authentic, underground feel typical of early 80s metal. The sound is fast, aggressive, and sharp, characterized by frenetic guitar riffs, double-bass drumming, and piercing, high-pitched vocals. Musical StyleSpeed Metal: Fast-paced, intense drumming, and fast guitar work are the hallmarks of SA Slayer's style.Thrash Metal Influences: While not as thrashy as Slayer from California, SA Slayer's music features the kind of speed and aggression that would soon define thrash metal.Traditional Heavy Metal: With influences from bands like Judas Priest and Iron Maiden, Prepare to Die retains some of the melodic and rhythmic elements of traditional heavy metal.Sharp Vocals: The vocals, delivered by Steve Cooper, are high-pitched and piercing, often using the dramatic, soaring style common in 80s metal.Key Tracks"Prepare to Die": The title track, with its relentless speed and aggressive riffs, sets the tone for the EP, showcasing the band’s raw energy."The Witch Must Burn": One of the most popular tracks, it combines fast rhythms with a dark, menacing vibe, typical of early speed metal."On the Road": A high-octane song that reflects the rebellious spirit of the time, with lyrics celebrating life on the road as a metal band.Sound and AtmosphereRaw and Energetic: The production is gritty and unpolished, which adds to the raw energy of the music, giving it a distinctly underground feel.Aggressive and Fast: The music is driven by aggressive guitar work and pounding drums, creating an unrelenting pace throughout the EP.DIY Spirit: Being an independently released EP, Prepare to Die has a do-it-yourself (DIY) aesthetic, embodying the spirit of underground metal in the early 80s.LegacyAlthough SA Slayer didn’t achieve the same level of fame as some of their contemporaries, Prepare to Die holds a special place in the history of speed metal and early American thrash. The band’s aggressive, no-holds-barred approach influenced the local Texas metal scene and helped pave the way for heavier and faster genres in the years to come. Their legacy is cemented in the annals of underground metal, especially for those who seek out early, formative records in the genre. 50 Similar Artists:Slayer (California)ExciterRazorAgent SteelOmenHelstarJag PanzerLiege LordSavage GraceGriffinCirith UngolManilla RoadBrocas HelmAttackerRunning WildStormwitchSatanToxikMetal ChurchAbattoirHoly TerrorVicious RumorsHallows EveDestructorArtilleryDestructorSodomLiving DeathDeathrowHoly MosesExumerWhiplashNasty SavageDark AngelForbiddenHeathenMortal SinHiraxPossessedDestructionInfernal MajestyBlood FeastSlaughter (Canada)OverkillVio-LenceSacrificeZnowhiteExhorderFlotsam and JetsamVenomSA Slayer’s Prepare to Die is a hidden gem in the speed metal scene, embodying the raw energy and DIY ethos of early 80s metal, making it an essential listen for fans of underground heavy metal history.
Price: 29.99 USD
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
End Time: 2024-12-24T02:20:06.000Z
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All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
Artist: Death, Destruction, Morbid Angel, Morbid Saint, Obituary, Running Wild, Sarcófago, Slaughter, Sodom, blood feast, holy moses, living death, onslaught, razor, sa slayer, sacrifice, sacrilege
Speed: 33 RPM
Record Label: High Roller Records
Release Title: prepare to die
Case Type: Cardboard Sleeve
Color: Multicolor
Material: Vinyl
Inlay Condition: Mint (M)
Edition: Anniversary Edition, Limited Edition, picture disc
Type: LP
Record Grading: Mint (M)
Format: Record
Release Year: 2023
Sleeve Grading: Mint (M)
Era: 1980s
Style: Black/Gothic Metal, British Metal/NWOBHM, Death Metal, Doom/Sludge Metal, Folk Metal, Folk Punk, Funk Metal, Glam/Hair Metal, Gothic Metal, Heavy Metal, Industrial Metal, Metal-Compilations, Metalcore, New Metal, Nu Metal, Pop Metal, Post-Punk, Power/Progressive Metal, Progressive Metal, Punk/New Wave, Punk Metal, Rap Metal, Speed & Trash Metal, Speedcore, Stoner Metal, Symphonic Metal, Thrash & Speed, True Metal, thrash
Record Size: 12"
Features: Import, Sealed, Limited Edition
Genre: Metal, Punk, Rock, Rock 'n' Roll, thrash
Country/Region of Manufacture: Germany
