The Best Backwards Messages In Music History

Do you remember when people flipped out about secret messages encoded in backwards grooves on albums? Hell, do you even remember albums? It used to be easy to play a song backwards – just reverse the drive on your turntable and go. Artists have been hiding backwards messages for decades. Some claim it’s accidental, but some are just too perfect to be a “mistake.”

Here are some of the best, from scary Satanism to wacky jokes.

Slayer – Hell Awaits

Of course the masters of thrash metal would dabble with old-fashioned backmasking. On “Hell Awaits” off of the same-titled 1985 album, the first minute and change of the track features vocalist Tom Araya chanting “Join us” over and over again. Dude, I sent you guys my demo tape, I’m trying!