Released in July 1988, South of Heaven received mixed responses from

Released in July 1988, South of Heaven received mixed responses from both fans and critics, although it was Slayer’s most commercially successful release at the time, debuting at number 57 on the Billboard 200, and their second album to receive gold certification in the United States. Press response to the album was mixed, with AllMusic citing the album as “disturbing and powerful”, and Kim Neely of Rolling Stone calling it “genuinely offensive satanic drivel”. King said “that album was my most lackluster performance”, although Araya called it a “late bloomer” which eventually grew on people. Touring for South of Heaven took place between August 1988 and January 1989, which included opening for Judas Priest on their Ram It Down tour and headlining a North American tour with Motörhead and Overkill.