Hell Awaits is the second studio album by American thrash metal band Slayer, released on April 8, 1985, by Metal Blade Records. After the band's 1983 debut Show No Mercy became the label's highest-selling release, producer Brian Slagel decided to record and release a second Slayer album. Unlike the previous album, which was paid for by band members, Slagel co-financed the recording budget with the band and recruited Ron Fair despite his lack of experience working with heavy metal musicians.