CD, Reissue
American Recordings EU
South of Heaven is a monumental album that solidified Slayer's position as one of the pioneering bands in the thrash metal genre. Released on July 5, 1988, this fourth studio album marked the band's continued collaboration with record producer Rick Rubin, whose contribution to Slayer's previous album, "Reign in Blood", had already pushed the boundaries of their sound.
South of Heaven became Slayer's second album to enter the prestigious Billboard 200 chart and their last release under the Def Jam Recordings label. Afterward, the album was reissued under the American Recordings label following Rick Rubin's departure from his partnership with Russell Simmons. Distribution of the album was handled by Geffen Records through Warner Bros. Records, as Columbia Records initially refused to release any material by the band. Despite these challenges, the album managed to peak at number 57 on the charts and was later awarded a gold certification by the Recording Industry Association of America in 1992.