For me, Hell Awaits is incredibly good the whole way through. I'm not sure why. The production sucks but maybe the songs would sound a lot better if they'd had Rick Rubin produce them.
Of course, Reign In Blood sounds better.
My second favorite is Hell Awaits. 3rd is Show No Mercy. And I honestly love the album cover. All thrash bands in the early-80s had stupid hand drawn album covers. This one is memorable because it reflects the true greatness of Slayer.
