Forty years after its release, Slayer’s Reign in Blood remains one of the most influential records in thrash metal.
The album also made its way into skate culture through a memorable collaboration between Brooklyn Projects and Nike SB.
Back in 2011, Brooklyn Projects skate shop owner Dom DeLuca paid tribute to Slayer with a Nike SB Dunk High inspired by Reign in Blood. The design took cues from the album’s controversial artwork, giving the shoe a dark color scheme built around brown and black tones.
The Dunk featured premium leather, brown and black suede, denim around the heel, and blood red details across the Swoosh border, tongue branding, and midsole. A gum rubber outsole finished off the design, giving the collaboration a distinct look that fit both the record and the skate shop behind it.
The shoe came out years after Reign in Blood first arrived, but the connection made sense. Slayer’s music had long been part of skateboarding culture, and the Brooklyn Projects Dunk brought that influence into footwear.
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Released in 1986, Reign in Blood was Slayer’s third studio album and packed 10 songs into just under 29 minutes. “Angel of Death” opens the record, while “Raining Blood” closes it, giving the album one of the most recognizable track sequences in metal.
Rick Rubin played an important role in shaping the final record, tightening the arrangements and cutting back on reverb. Tom Araya later recalled wondering if the finished album was too short, but Rubin was satisfied with the 10 completed songs, and the band kept the record as it was.
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Slayer later returned to the album for Still Reigning in 2004. Tom Araya, Kerry King, Jeff Hanneman, and Dave Lombardo performed the songs live, ending “Raining Blood” beneath a shower of stage blood.
Now, four decades after its original release, Reign in Blood still holds a special place in both metal and skate culture. The Brooklyn Projects x Nike SB Dunk remains one of the more memorable pieces of footwear connected to the album, giving fans another way to appreciate a record that continues to influence generations of listeners.
Slayer Posted:
"SLAYER 🔥 Reign in Blood “Blood Filled Zoetrope”.
Celebrate 40 years of Reign in Blood, the monumental album that set the uncompromising standard in thrash metal, with this limited-edition “Blood Filled Zoetrope” vinyl. Originally released in 1986, Reign In Blood has transcended time and amassed generations of metal fans! Featuring iconic thrash anthems “Raining Blood”, “Angel Of Death” and much more.
Limited pressing. Pre-order your copy today! 🤘"