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Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman in 2009
Jeff Hanneman

"Angel of Death" is the opening track on thrash metal band Slayer's album Reign in Blood, released on October 7, 1986. Written by guitarist Jeff Hanneman (pictured) and produced by Rick Rubin, it is by far the longest track on the album at 4 minutes and 51 seconds, and features prominent verses and choruses, unlike the other tracks. The lyrics invent a sadistic rant by the Nazi physician Josef Mengele, who conducted human experiments at the Auschwitz concentration camp during World War II. Despite accusations that the lyrics reflect Nazi sympathizing and racism, which the band vigorously denied, the song has been highly influential in the development of both thrash and speed metal. Although it did not chart, it has been praised by critics, and appears on all of Slayer's live albums. AllMusic's Steve Huey described it as a classic and the album as "the pinnacle of speed metal". One of its riffs was sampled by Public Enemy in their 1988 song "She Watch Channel Zero?!" (Full article...)

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American germander
American germander

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Satellite image of Hurricane Matthew
Hurricane Matthew

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October 7: Feast day of St. Osyth

Anna Politkovskaya
Anna Politkovskaya
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Death warrant of King Charles I
Death warrant of King Charles I

Following the trial of Charles I in January 1649, 59 commissioners (judges) signed his death warrant. They, along with the several key associates and numerous court officials, were the subject of punishment following the restoration of the monarchy in 1660 with the coronation of Charles II. Charles I's trial and execution had followed the English Civil War (1642–51) in which his supporters, Royalist "Cavaliers", were opposed by the Parliamentarian "Roundheads", led by Oliver Cromwell. With the return of Charles II, Parliament passed the Indemnity and Oblivion Act (1660), which granted amnesty to many of Cromwell's supporters. Of those who had been involved in the trial and execution, 104 were specifically excluded from reprieve, although 24 had already died, including Cromwell, John Bradshaw (the judge who was president of the court) and Henry Ireton (a general in the Parliamentary army and Cromwell's son-in-law). (Full list...)

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Indian yellow-nosed albatross

The Indian yellow-nosed albatross (Thalassarche carteri) is a member of the albatross family, and the smallest of the mollymawks. This colonial breeder feeds on fish, crustaceans and cephalopods. In 2004, BirdLife International split this species from the Atlantic yellow-nosed albatross, though this distinction is not universally recognized.

Photograph: JJ Harrison

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