Slayer will open a three-day pop-up shop in Los Angeles from Nov. 12-14 to mark 40 years since its 1986 album Reign In Blood. The doors open a day before the band plays two sold-out shows at the Kia Forum on Nov. 13 and Nov. 14. The band made the announcement on social media.
Global Merchandising Services built the shop with the band. You can find it at 6250 Hollywood Boulevard, next to the W Hotel and Amoeba Music. Shoppers will find the official 40th-anniversary merchandise for Reign in Blood. Some designs and items won’t be sold anywhere else.
The band is also letting go of part of its own stash of Reign in Blood liquid zoetrope vinyl. Every record comes with a commemorative triptych and a coin. Visitors get a QR code that enters them in a giveaway for a signed Slayer setlist or a merchandise pack.
Both Kia Forum shows are sold out. Still, the band recently released a small batch of production-hold tickets for each night. A few general admission tickets will go on sale at the pop-up while supplies last.
Reign in Blood arrived on Oct. 7, 1986, through Def Jam Recordings. It was the first Slayer album made with producer Rick Rubin. Worries over the album’s artwork and lyrics delayed the release, including the opening track “Angel of Death,” which refers to Josef Mengele.
It was also the first Slayer record to reach the Billboard 200, where it peaked at No. 94. The Recording Industry Association of America certified it gold on Nov. 20, 1992, after more than 500,000 copies sold.
Slayer started in 1981 in Huntington Park, California. Drummer Dave Lombardo, bassist and vocalist Tom Araya, and guitarists Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman made up the original group. Many fans count the band among the “big four” of thrash metal, together with Metallica, Megadeth, and Anthrax.
Cannibal Corpse, Cavalera performing Chaos A.D., and Crowbar will play with Slayer on Nov. 13. Next, the band heads to South America. All remaining Slayer dates for this year are listed on the band’s official website.
