Dead Skin Mask

Album: Seasons In The Abyss (1990)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is about serial killer Ed Gein, who skinned his dead victims and wore their skins as suits, hence the name "Dead Skin Mask." At the end of the song, a voice can be heard saying things like, "I don't want to play anymore, Mr. Gein." and "LET ME OUT!" >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Steve - Denver, CO

Comments: 24

  • Dave From Sydney from AustraliaI thought it was "Mr King" as in the kid was talking about Kerry King. It doesn't make sense that it's a kid otherwise.
  • Maxter from Las VegasSlayer total package
  • Egg from UkEd Grin wasn't a serial killer. He killed one person. The bodies he used to make things from were deceased people he dug up from a local cemetery
  • Rav3n from MoroccoLiking this song feels almost illegal, but i do. The aggressive guitar riffs, the fast drumming and the intense vocals I just love it.
  • Ckone from New JerseyAbsolutely Love this song. Just not sure about the little kid pleading at the end. Grin is known to have killed two people -both of who were adults.
  • Ghengis Khan from OhioThat voice has haunted me for a long time. "Gein" in that voice sounds almost exactly like my last name, and has lived rent free in my brain since I first bought the album (about a month after it was released).
  • Felix from Kansas City, Mo.I heard this on the radio one night many years ago, and where the voice started saying “Mr. Gein”(ect.) it really creeped me out. Not in a fun creepy way. They need to use that in a movie. Or a movie just about Ed Gein and what he did, like they did with a Ted Bundy movie.
  • Jayjackal from UsaSlayer is the greatest band to ever walk the earth!
  • Guy from 90001 Wasington CountyMr gein
    Mr gein
    Mr gein please let me out
    Mr gein I don't want to play anymore
    MR GEIN
  • Taylor from Sydney, Australia LOVE this song. Have always been a big Slayer fan, fell in love with it even more when I discovered this influenced Blind Melon in writing 'Skinned'. Legends
  • Gareth from Swansea, United KingdomLove all of you who have never seen Slayer live making fun of Jeff... Given the fact that Tom Araya always introduces this as a love song when they play it! Amazing tune!
  • Luke from Manchester, EnglandCody, with the amount of trolls on the net, you can't tell if someone's joking without emoticons.
  • Rabid Savage from Rudolph, WiI'm from central Wisconsin and live only ten minutes away from where Ed Gein's house used to be!
  • Cody from Kansas City, MoThis song is freaky at the end with the little kid talking. And I think Jeff was joking around when he said the song was romantic.
  • Brad from Nocona, TxSlayer is thrash through and through, no way in the ninth circle of Hell would they ever write a sh*ty romantic ballad. They're not Poison, dude.
  • Jesse from Kelowna, BcAre you f--king crazy Jeff, Slayer does NOT write romantic ballads.
  • David from Lakeland, Flone of my favorite slayer tunes. a little slower than most, with a staedy groove. when the girl says LET ME OOOUUUTTT! i get chills dowm my spine. a little fun fact....the texas chain saw massacure, psycho, and silence of the lambs movies were all concepts from the legend of Ed Gein
  • Luke from Manchester, EnglandHow is this a ballad Jeff? It's too f--king fast
  • Elsie from San Diego, CaOh em gee, I TOTALLY agree with you, Jeff! It's so weird, but I think this song is SO romantic!
  • Joel from Austin, TxWould have been perfect for Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
  • The Metallican from Guntur, India"Hello Mr.Gein" "Mr.Geeiiiiiin"

    i heard those hallowed voices....

    this song really kicked my ass
  • Jeff from Austin, TxLovely, romantic ballad from Slayer. One of my all time Valentine's Day favorites.
  • Joel from Columbia, ScI have heard this song but can't hear the voice.
  • Joel from Columbia, ScCreepy song to listen to, especially at night. Not really a Slayer fan but some of their stuff is alright.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

The Fratellis

The FratellisSongwriter Interviews

Jon Fratelli talks about the band's third album, and the five-year break leading up to it.

Rupert Hine

Rupert HineSongwriter Interviews

Producer Rupert Hine talks about crafting hits for Tina Turner, Howard Jones and The Fixx.

Johnette Napolitano of Concrete Blonde

Johnette Napolitano of Concrete BlondeSongwriter Interviews

The singer/bassist for Concrete Blonde talks about how her songs come from clairvoyance, and takes us through the making of their hit "Joey."

Spooner Oldham

Spooner OldhamSongwriter Interviews

His keyboard work helped define the Muscle Shoals sound and make him an integral part of many Neil Young recordings. Spooner is also an accomplished songwriter, whose hits include "I'm Your Puppet" and "Cry Like A Baby."

Lajon Witherspoon of Sevendust

Lajon Witherspoon of SevendustSongwriter Interviews

The Sevendust frontman talks about the group's songwriting process, and how trips to the Murder Bar helped forge their latest album.

Lori McKenna

Lori McKennaSongwriter Interviews

Lori's songs have been recorded by Faith Hill and Sara Evans. She's performed on the CMAs and on Oprah. She also has five kids.