Slayer, Behind The Crooked Cross | Bangerz N Bopz

In the 62^nd edition of Bangerz N Bopz (2026), we highlight “Behind The Crooked Cross” performed by thrash metal band Slayer.

Bring on the bold, fierce songs! Bangerz N Bopz serves up background info and insights into songs across various styles, especially those that raise eyebrows and/or stir the pot.  Featured records can be classic or brand new. In the 62^nd edition of Bangerz N Bopz (2026), we break down “Behind The Crooked Cross” performed by Slayer.

Tom Araya sings in the chorus of the Slayer classic, “Behind The Crooked Cross”.  He continues, “Forced to fight behind The crooked cross.” What is this crooked cross? The infamous swastika that represented the Nazi Party. In these lyrics, the soldiers seem to regret fighting for a crooked cause. “Behind The Crooked Cross” is the fourth track from the band’s fourth studio album, South Of Heaven.  It is sandwiched between “Live Undead” and “Mandatory Suicide” 👀.  Jeff Hanneman (1964 – 2013) composed it, while Slayer and Rick Rubin produced it. Interestingly, the song was rarely played live by the band.

The chorus sums up the sentiment surrounding Nazism, which was inhumane, racist, and wrong in every facet.  This is not a sympathetic song to Nazis, but one where, rather, those fighting alongside Hitler are aware they are fighting for the wrong thing.  Is this willingly or because they are part of the German military? That is not specified. The verses also shed light on the horror.  “Trapped by a cause that I once understood,” Tom Araya sings in the first verse, representing the soldiers, and adds, “Feeling a sickness building inside of me.” If aware of what was going down, shouldn’t the sickness have dissuaded them, if possible? Food for thought. In the second verse, he asserts, “Blind obedience carries me through it all / ‘Conscience,’ a word I learned to forget.” The third and final verse is similar to the second, with a contrast in the final line: “Do only what is expected of me.” Sometimes, that can be the wrong call, which was DEFINITELY the case during World War II. Beyond vocals and lyrics, the music stands out – that’s an understatement! The opening riffs kick ass and take names, PERIODT! Driving rhythmic passages, pummeling drums (Dave Lombardo), and a shit-ton of hellishness? Hell yeah! The sound is dark, damning, and, frankly, fucking awesome.  Throw in some chromaticism and the crookedness of the music cooks!  Also, shout out to Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King for sickening guitar solos preceding the third verse 😮‍💨.  Although it’s not the first Slayer song mentioned in a conversation, the badass “Behind The Crooked Cross” deserves far more attention and recognition.

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Slayer » South Of Heaven » American Recordings, LLC » 1988

Slayer, Behind The Crooked Cross: Bangerz N Bopz No. 62 (2026) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; American Recordings, LLC; Art Laurence Luzon, cottonbro studio, Osmar Vasques, Sebastian Ervi, Wallyson Nascimento from Pexels; Gordon Johnson from Pixabay]

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