Editing Soundtrack to the Apocalypse (section)

==Production==
''Soundtrack to the Apocalypse''{{'}}s ideal release date was in early November 2003.<ref>''CMJ New Music Report'' September 22, 2003. p.21</ref> However, on September 25, 2003, it was announced by employees of [[MTV]] that the box set's release date had been pushed back to November 18, 2003.<ref name="MTV 1">Iann Robinson, Ryan J. Downey, Robert Mancini and Jon Wiederhorn (2003-09-25) [https://web.archive.org/web/20100403175247/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1479332/20030925/slayer.jhtml "Metal File: Hard & Heavy News On Hatebreed, Slayer, Slipknot, Megadeth, Six Feet Under, Anthrax & More"]. MTV. Retrieved 2010-06-29</ref> On October 23, 2003, employees of MTV announced that the box set's release date was pushed back to November 25, 2003.<ref name="MTV 2">Iann Robinson , Ryan J. Downey and Jon Wiederhorn  (2003-10-23) [https://web.archive.org/web/20031220235815/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1479921/20031023/slayer.jhtml "Metal File: Hard And Heavy News On Slayer, Cannibal Corpse, Cradle Of Filth, Black Dahlia Murder & More"]. MTV. Retrieved 2010-06-29</ref> Since November 25, 2003, Slayer has released the box set five different times. The first three times were each released in 2003, the first being released through [[Universal Records]],<ref name="allmusic">Jurek, Thom. [{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r669928|pure_url=yes}} "Soundtrack to the Apocalypse - Slayer"]. [[AllMusic]]. Retrieved 2010-06-29</ref> and the other two, one being a Deluxe Edition version, were released through [[American Recordings (record label)|American Recordings]].<ref name="allmusic"/><ref>Jurek, Thom. [{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r672396|pure_url=yes}} "Soundtrack to the Apocalypse (Deluxe Edition) - Slayer"]. AllMusic. Retrieved 2010-06-29</ref>  The set's fourth release, which was packaged with only three discs, was released through American Records in 2006.<ref>Jurek, Thom. [{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r1037844|pure_url=yes}} "Soundtrack to the Apocalypse (3 Disc) - Slayer"]. AllMusic. Retrieved 2010-06-29</ref> The box set's final release was in 2007, where it was released through WEA International.<ref>Jurek, Thom. [{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r1069704|pure_url=yes}} "Soundtrack to the Apocalypse (WEA International) - Slayer"]. AllMusic. Retrieved 2010-06-29</ref> It was also released in the [[United Kingdom]] on December 8, 2003.<ref name="popmatters"/> It was produced with three [[Compact Disc]]s, one [[DVD]], and a booklet.<ref name="popmatters"/>

The packaging was praised by PopMatters, insisting that the box set is "very nicely packaged, in a swanky fold-out digipak with a clear plastic slipcase. The 72-page accompanying booklet is outstanding, with extensive [[liner notes]], loads of photos, and many memories from the band members." ''[[USA Today]]'' related: "[it is] a combination of the metal grinders' best-known tracks, with live and studio rarities plus 17 DVD selections. A deluxe edition ($100) adds a live disc and a few souvenir extras."<ref>[https://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2003-12-19-box-set-list_x.htm "Unwrap these new box sets"]. USAToday.com. 2003-11-19. Retrieved 2010-08-04</ref> ''Soundtrack to the Apocalypse'' was [[record producer|produced]] by [[Matt Hyde]], Dino Paredes, [[Rick Rubin]], [[D. Sardy]], and [[Andy Wallace (producer)|Andy Wallace]] and was [[executive producer|executively produced]] by Nick John and Rick Sales.<ref name="credits"/> The film on the fourth disc was directed by Di Puglia, Gerard.<ref name="credits">[{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r669928/credits|pure_url=yes}} "allmusic ((( Soundtrack to the Apocalypse > Credits )))"]. Allmusic. Retrieved 2010-06-29</ref> The set includes many Slayer tracks since 1986 with several rarities and [[b-sides]], and includes a [[remaster]]ed DVD of live performances spanning 20 years. A fifth disc was released with fourteen more tracks than the set's standard edition. The bonus live tracks were recorded at The Grove In Anaheim, California, on May 2, 2002, several months following the return of original drummer Dave Lombardo. The extra tracks are packaged in a "blood pack" sleeve, which is decorated with faux blood and [[skulls]].<ref>(2003-10-22) [http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=1617 "Slayer: 'Soundtrack To The Apocalypse' Track Listing Revealed!"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031102033222/http://roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=1617 |date=2003-11-02 }}. Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 2010-07-31</ref>