Soundtrack to the Apocalypse is a box set by the American thrash metal band Slayer. Released November 25, 2003 through American Recordings, the three–disc CD and DVD set features music from previous albums, unreleased material, and live film. A deluxe edition version (which has the alias "ammo box") was released and featured everything from the standard edition, with the addition of 14 live tracks. The box set's name originated from an alternative title for 2001's God Hates Us All. After discussing among themselves the idea of the box set, the band informed their record company, who initially disliked but later approved the idea. A bonus disc (known as the bloodpack) was included in some versions.
Many dates were stated by band members as to when it would be released. The official release date was not announced until late October 2003. The box set has been released five times between the late 2003 and early 2007. There were several producers and film directors that were involved with the box set. The set received positive reviews from critics, but didn't debut on notable charts.
Conception
Around the time Slayer thought of the album title for 2001's God Hates Us All, Soundtrack to the Apocalypse was considered an alternative name. Vocalist Tom Araya then suggested that if they ever opted to issue a box set, Soundtrack to the Apocalypse would be the most appropriate title. Following this, Slayer looked at the returned material; if the recorded track was a “good” performance but the band "didn’t care for the song", they asked the record company to select another track. However, on September 25, 2003, it was announced by employees of MTV that the box set's release date had been pushed back to November 18, 2003. On October 23, 2003, employees of MTV announced that the box set's release date was pushed back to November 25, 2003. Since November 25, 2003, Slayer has released the box set five different times. The first three times were each released in 2003, the first being released through Universal Records, and the other two, one being a Deluxe Edition version, were released through American Recordings. The set's fourth release, which was packaged with only three discs, was released through American Records in 2006. The box set's final release was in 2007, where it was released through WEA International. It was also released in the United Kingdom on December 8, 2003. Soundtrack to the Apocalypse was produced by Matt Hyde, Dino Paredes, Rick Rubin, D. Sardy, and Andy Wallace and was executively produced by Nick John and Rick Sales. The set includes many Slayer tracks since 1986 with several rarities and b-sides, and includes a remastered DVD of live performances spanning 20 years. A fifth disc was released with fourteen more tracks than the set's standard edition. The bonus live tracks were recorded at The Grove In Anaheim, California, on May 2, 2002, several months following the return of original drummer Dave Lombardo. The extra tracks are packaged in a "blood pack" sleeve, which is decorated with faux blood and skulls.
Reception
Although it did not enter any charts, Thom Jurek from AllMusic praised Soundtrack to the Apocalypse, rewarding the box set with four out of five stars. Jurek said it had "a whopping four CDs and one DVD." Jurek noted that discs one and two "feature tracks from Reign in Blood, and all the albums that proceed from it, and includes bonus cuts previously only released in Japan, and cuts from soundtracks." He also said that the third disc "is, appropriately, titled 'Shit You Never Heard' because that's what it is — sixteen tracks that have been unissued anywhere — from rehearsals, to in-concert recordings, demos, and one 'No Remorse,' a collaboration with Atari Teenage Riot, from the Spawn soundtrack," and that the fourth disc are "an electronic press kit video for Diabolus in Musica, and an appearance at the Kerrang magazine awards." PR Newswire said it was "a Slayer fan's ultimate experience," and The Dallas Morning News called it "a fat new audiovisual box set."
Track listing
Personnel
Slayer
- Tom Araya – bass, vocals
- Jeff Hanneman – guitar
- Kerry King – guitar
- Dave Lombardo – drums on disc #1 tracks 1–18, disc #2 track 15, disc #3 tracks 1–7, 10–11 and 16–17, disc #4 tracks 1–10 and 15–17, disc #5 tracks 1–14
- Paul Bostaph – drums on disc #2 tracks 1–14 and 16–22, disc #3 tracks 12 and 14–15, disc #4 track 14
- Jon Dette – drums on disc #4 track 11
Additional musician
- Matt Polish – voice on "Dead Skin Mask"
Production
- Nich John – DVD producer
- Kevin Estrada – photography
- Rick Rubin – American recordings
- Dino Paredes – American recordings
- Vlado Meller – mastering
- Steve Kadison – mastering-assistant
- Adam Abrams – project coordination
- Jeff Fura – DVD producer
- Kelly McFadden – DVD menu design
- Dave Wright – DVD authoring
- Scott Sill – DVD authoring
- Paul Kirsch – DVD editing
- George Fitz – DVD editing
- Vartan – art direction
- t42design – art direction, design
- Mark Weiss – photography
- Doug Goodman Archive – photography
- Slayer Archives – audio & visual materials
- Marc Paschke – essay & liner notes
- Eric Braverman – essay & liner notes