Trapped in purgatory
A lifeless object, alive
Awaiting reprisal
Death will be their acquittance
The sky is turning red
Return to power draws near
Fall into me, the sky's crimson tears
Abolish the rules made of stone

Pierced from below, souls of my treacherous past
Betrayed by many, now ornaments dripping above

Awaiting the hour of reprisal
Your time slips away

Raining blood
From a lacerated sky
Bleeding its horror
Creating my structure, now I shall reign in blood


Lyrics submitted by jt, edited by antaries12

Raining Blood Lyrics as written by Jeffery John Hanneman Alexander Paul Sacco

Lyrics © Ultra Tunes, Universal Music Publishing Group

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Raining Blood song meanings
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  • +8
    My Interpretation

    I kind of see this as a Satanic wet dream.

    The first bit is about the souls trapped in purgatory, who are waiting to exact their revenge against God who put them there. The second bit is the Devil fantasizing about his actions when he returns to power. Particularly "abolishing the rules made of stone" or the Ten Commandments.
    The third bit is actually my favorite lines. "Pierced from below, souls of my treacherous past." These are the angels that followed Lucifer (Satan)in his ill-fated revolt against God (hence "treacherous") and who now reside in Hell with him. "Betrayed by many, now ornaments dripping above." refers to all the souls in Heaven who have "betrayed" Satan by living holy lives and are now victims of his reprisal.

    "Your time slips away" I think is a direct statement to God. Basically he's telling God: "Your time is over, it's my turn now." Finally the last bit is Satan's final oath. The "lacerated sky" refers to the Heaven which he has destroyed and with God out of the way he can reign in blood.

    burnedagenton June 22, 2012   Link
  • +7
    General Comment

    just call them metal you assfucks

    handofdoomon June 04, 2003   Link
  • +6
    General Comment

    death metal? no my friend, i think you'll find its actually called thrash metal (seeing as though slayer kinda created thrash metal)

    hedonismon July 27, 2002   Link
  • +4
    General Comment

    Obvious satanic theme. Sick, sick sick sick main riff. Not the most musically complex, but who -cares-. It's impossible NOT to headbang when listening to this song. You'll find your head moving up and down whether you like it or not.

    AngryCitizenon August 13, 2009   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    Metal Master 93, if memory serves me correctly, the album was called 'Reign in blood', but the song was called 'Raining blood'.

    quiffpornon June 11, 2004   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    Hell yeah!!!!!!!! This is the best fucking song ever written... The opening not only sends shivers up and down my spine, but also drives me fucking crazy. Bang your heads till they fucking fall off! Slayer rules!!!

    RnngBldon June 16, 2002   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    WHO THE FUCK CARES IF THER FUKIN ASS METAL THIS SONG IS BAD ASS AND IS SO AWSOME TO PLAY ON GUITAR!!!!!

    darkpop2Dzombieon April 07, 2003   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    Best Slayer song without a doubt.

    wastedanimosityon April 16, 2003   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    I think this song sounds better with the first 40 seconds of Postmortem at the start. Either way, it's still one hell of an awesome song.

    LVHon December 11, 2004   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    This song is about how Lucifer was cast down from heaven, trapped on earth (purgatory), created Hell, and than took his revenge apon those who banished him from Heaven. The "Raining Blood" is a consequence of taking revenge. Rather to be ruler of Hell, than a slave in Heaven.

    Slayer is the best band ever.

    SLaTaNiC13on December 24, 2004   Link

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