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  1. Tracks
  2. Slayer
  3. Soundtrack to the Apocalypse
  4. Hell Awaits

TRACK

Slayer

Hell Awaits

Release date: 8th April 1985

From Soundtrack to the Apocalypse
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About This Track

'Hell Awaits' opens with a hypnotic, reversed vocal incantation before erupting into a showcase of Slayer's technical range. The song stretches across its length with progressive instrumental passages that set it apart from their earlier work, building a narrative of damnation and spiritual corruption. Lyrically, the track adopts the voice of a demonic force, inverting Christian theology into a vision of Hell's dominion, with imagery of gates, furnaces, and eternal torment rendered in stark, declarative language. The composition balances extended instrumental sections with structured verse-and-chorus movements, allowing guitarist Jeff Hanneman space for a prominent solo. Throughout, the song maintains a sense of theatrical menace rather than simple shock value, treating its infernal subject matter as a framework for exploring themes of power, loss, and irredeemable fate. The result is a track that demonstrates Slayer's capacity for compositional ambition beyond their reputation for speed and aggression.

"Hell Awaits" is a track by Slayer, from the album Soundtrack to the Apocalypse, released 8th April 1985. Full lyrics are available below. Dork has published 1 article about Slayer.

About the Artist

Slayer

Slayer

Lyrics

Hell Awaits

[Intro]

Su nioj, su nioj, su nioj, su nioj

Su nioj, su nioj, su nioj, su nioj

Su nioj, su nioj, su nioj, su nioj

Su nioj, su nioj, su nioj, su nioj

Su nioj, su nioj, su nioj, su nioj

Su nioj, su nioj, su nioj, su nioj

Su nioj, su nioj, su nioj, su nioj

Su nioj, su nioj, su nioj, su nioj

Su nioj, su nioj, su nioj, su nioj

Su nioj, su nioj, su nioj, su nioj

Su nioj, su nioj, su nioj, su nioj

Su nioj, su nioj, su nioj, su nioj

Su nioj, su nioj, su nioj, su nioj

Su nioj, su nioj, su nioj, su nioj

Su nioj, su nioj, su nioj, su nioj

Welcome back

[Instrumental Break 1:04 - 3:20]

[Verse 1]

Existing on damnation's edge, the priest had never known

To witness such a violent show of power overthrown

Angels fighting aimlessly still dying by the sword

Our legions killing all in sight to get the one called Lord

[Chorus]

The gates of Hell lie waiting, as you see

There's no price to pay, just follow me

I can take your lost soul from the grave

Jesus knows your soul cannot be saved

[Post-Chorus]

Crucify your so-called Lord, he soon shall fall to me

Your souls are damned

Your God has fell to slave for me eternally

Hell awaits

[Verse 2]

The reaper guards the darkened gates that Satan calls his home

The demons feed the furnace where the dead are free to roam

Lonely children of the night, there's seven ways to go

Each leading to the burning hole that Lucifer controls

[Chorus]

Priests of Hades seek the sacred star

Satan sees the answer lies not far

Zombies, screaming souls, cry out to you

Satanic law prevails, your life is through

[Bridge]

Pray to the moon when it is round

Death with you shall then abound

For what you seek for can't be found

In sea or sky or underground

[Instrumental Break]

[Guitar Solo: Jeff Hanneman]

[Verse 3]

Now I have you deep inside my everlasting grasp

The seven bloody gates of Hell is where you'll live your last

Warriors from Hell's domain will bring you to your death

The flames of Hades burning strong, your soul shall never rest

[Chorus]

The gates of Hell lie waiting, as you see

There's no price to pay, just follow me

I can take your lost soul from the grave

Jesus knows your soul cannot be saved

[Post-Chorus]

Sacrifice the lives of all, I know they soon shall die

Their souls are damned to rot in Hell

And keep the fires growing deep inside

Hell awaits

[Instrumental Outro]

[Guitar Solo: Kerry King]

Lyrics provided by LRCLIB

View full lyrics page →

Track details

From Soundtrack to the Apocalypse

1985
Listen
Album
Soundtrack to the Apocalypse
Soundtrack to the Apocalypse
Slayer
Release year
1985
  1. —Hell Awaits
  2. —Human Disease
  3. —At Dawn They Sleep
  4. —Sex. Murder. Art.
  5. —213
  6. —Ddamm (Drunk Drivers Against Mad Mothers)
  7. —Dittohead [Live] [Soundtrack to the Apocalypse]
  8. —Memories of Tomorrow
  9. —Scarstruck
  10. —Sex. Murder. Art [Live] [Soundtrack to the Apocalypse]
  11. —Raining Blood [Jeff Hanneman home recording]
  12. —The Antichrist (Tom Araya's Garage - 12,83)
  13. —Darkness In Christ
  14. —Bloodline [Live] [Soundtrack to the Apocalypse]
  15. —Mind Control [Live] [Soundtrack to the Apocalypse]
  16. —The Antichrist [Rehearsal]
  17. —South of Heaven [Jeff Hanneman home recording]
  18. —Fight Till Death [Rehearsal]
  19. —Mandatory Suicide [Live] [Soundtrack to the Apocalypse]
  20. —Payback (Live in Sweden '02)
  21. —Addict
  22. —Death's Head
  23. —Divine Intervention
  24. —In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida
  25. —Disorder
  26. —Unguarded Instinct
  27. —No Remorse (I Wanna Die)
  28. —Wicked

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Credits

Production & Engineering

Writer
Jeff Hanneman, Kerry King
Producer
Brian Slagel, Slayer
Bass
Tom Araya
Drums
Dave Lombardo
Guitar
Jeff Hanneman, Kerry King
Vocals
Tom Araya
Assistant Engineer
Carolyn Collins
Mastering Engineer
Bernie Grundman
Mixing Engineer
Bill Metoyer, Ron Fair
Recording Engineer
Bill Metoyer, Ron Fair
READ MORE ABOUT SLAYERREAD MORE ABOUT SLAYERREAD MORE ABOUT SLAYERREAD MORE ABOUT SLAYER
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Slayer have booked UK, US and Canadian live dates for summer 2025
News

Slayer have booked UK, US and Canadian live dates for summer 2025

Legendary metal band Slayer announces summer 2025 tour dates across three countries, including a special appearance with Black Sabbath.

4 Mar 2025 • 9:41 am