The collaboration between Slayer and Rick Rubin marked the history of Heavy Metal, notably with the production of Reign in Bloodan album considered a milestone of the genre. However, according to Slayer guitarist Kerry King, the relationship with the famous producer evolved over time, from initial enthusiasm to an increasingly distant presence in the studio.
Promising beginnings with Rick Rubin
When Rick Rubin collaborated with Slayer on Reign in Bloodhis unique approach played a crucial role in the album's success. Rubin, who was not initially a metal expert, brought a fresh perspective, deviating from established norms to highlight the characteristic power and speed of the band's riffs.
Kerry King remembers: “In the beginning, Rick was very invested in the project. He was cool, very involved, and it showed in the way he approached the sound of Slayer.” This involvement made it possible to give Reign in Blood crisp, hard-hitting production that set a new standard for Thrash Metal.
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A decreasing involvement over the albums
Unfortunately, the dynamic has changed over time. In a recent interview on the podcast Lipps ServiceKerry King discussed how Rubin's presence in the studio became more and more sporadic as Slayer progressed in their career.
-“On each subsequent album, he became more and more detached,” King says. “He had people under him, like his right-hand man at the label… Rick would come in every now and then, make a suggestion, and me and Jeff [Hanneman]we were super stubborn guys. We would say no flat out, and he would just say, 'It's your career.' It got worse and worse. At the time of Seasons in the Abyss [1990]he was like a ghost.”
The legacy of the Slayer-Rubin collaboration
Despite this evolution, the first collaborations between Slayer and Rick Rubin were decisive for the group and for thrash metal in general. Reign in Blood remains a monument of the genre, and Rubin's initial approach allowed Slayer to push the sonic boundaries of metal.
