Raining Blood

"Raining Blood" is a song by the American thrash metal band Slayer. Written by Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King for the 1986 studio album Reign in Blood, the concept deals with religion, specifically said to be about overthrowing Heaven. Originally released on the Reign in Blood track listing on October 7, 1986, it was released as a single later that year.

The song is one of only three tracks on Reign in Blood that is longer than three minutes, itself being four minutes and seventeen seconds long. The piece ends with a minute of rain sound effect, concluding Reign in Blood. Described as a "classic" by Allmusic, it is noticed by fans as one of Slayer's most popular songs. As an almost permanent addition to their live sets, King and Hanneman said it was their favorite song to play live.

There have been many appearances of the song in the media and elsewhere, including the South Park episode, "Die Hippie, Die" and Legends of Rock, said to be one of the hardest songs in the Career Mode setlist. There is also a live appearance of the song in the compilation albums both Headbangers Ball and Hard N' Heavy Vol. 61.

Writing and concept

"Raining Blood" was written by Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King. D. X. Ferris said that "when Hanneman wrote the song, he envisioned a scene from a dark street or bloody back valley," and later went on to say that the...
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