Editing Reign in Blood (section)

==Controversy==
Slayer decided to abandon some of the earlier [[Satanism|Satanic]] themes explored on their previous album ''[[Hell Awaits]]'', with Araya describing their new themes as "more on a social level".<ref name="Slayer - Tom Araya - January 2007">{{cite web
 |title       = Slayer – Tom Araya – January 2007
 |author      = Gargano, Paul
 |publisher   = Maximum Ink Music Magazine
 |url         = http://www.maximumink.com/articles.php?articleId=1084
 |access-date  = January 24, 2007
|url-status     = live
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20120303034211/http://www.maximumink.com/articles.php?articleId=1084
 |archive-date = March 3, 2012
|df          = dmy-all
}}</ref> Hanneman was inspired to write "Angel of Death" after he read a number of books on [[Josef Mengele]] during a Slayer tour.<ref name=":0" /> Def Jam's distributor, [[Columbia Records]], refused to distribute the album because of the song, particularly its lyrics describing [[the Holocaust]]. ''Reign in Blood'' was eventually distributed by [[Geffen Records]]; however, due to the controversy, it did not appear on Geffen's release schedule and the Geffen logo was not put on the album.<ref name="An exclusive oral history of Slayer" /> The song led to accusations of Nazi sympathizing and [[racism]], which have followed the band throughout their career.<ref name="Kerry King: Maniac. Guitar Legend. Botanist?" /> Hanneman has stated that people misinterpret the lyrics, and clarified: "[t]here's nothing I put in the lyrics that says necessarily he was a bad man, because to me&nbsp;— well, isn't that obvious[?] I shouldn't have to tell you that."<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Brian |date=July 26, 2004 |title=KNAC.COM - Features - Interview With Slayer's Jeff H |url=https://www.knac.com/article.asp?ArticleID=3153 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241204211311/https://www.knac.com/article.asp?ArticleID=3153 |archive-date=December 4, 2024 |access-date=2025-03-05 |website=KNAC.com}}</ref>