But even though the band had a budget, Araya still thought that the record ended up with poor production. The intro track to the record, if played in reverse, reveals the phrase "Join Us". Lyrical themes abound on Hell Awaits referred to none other than Hell and Satan. Rather than going the self-funding route, Brian Slagel and Metal Blade Records financed the band so that they could record Hell Awaits. Having a budget allowed the band to bring in some professional assistance, including Bernie Grandman (who mastered the album) and Bill Metoyer (who engineered the album). This time around, the band had a label with some financial support. It seems that Slayer's notoriety began all the way with Show No Mercy. The band's controversy had already begun to follow them as well due to the imagery on the album cover and the lyrical content, the band received mail from the Parents Resource Music Center which demanded the band stop releasing their music to the general public. The music and lyrics were primarily written by Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King, a pattern that would follow on every future Slayer record. According to Slagel, the album has sold at least 15,000-20,000 copies in the U.S, and 15,000 overseas since its release. It was recorded in Los Angeles, and released through Metal Blade Records after label founder Brian Slagel saw the band perform several covers at a show in the Los Angeles area. A straight up thrash metal release, it was just a taste of what was to come from the band. The album was self-funded by both Tom Araya (who was working at the time as a respiratory therapist), and a loan from guitarist Kerry King's father. Slayer's first studio album, and our first introduction to the metal behemoth that would soon reign supreme over the thrash community.
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