Post by dangerzone on Aug 12, 2006 3:28:18 GMT -5
Slayer 'Christ Illusion'
2006, Def American
Tom Araya- bass, vocals
Kerry King, Jeff Hanneman- guitar
Dave Lombardo- drums
Waiting five years for Slayer to produce new music you tend to watch your own life fly by, wondering if the band are content to tour forever as a hits band instead of creating anything meaningful ever again. But this is the notorious agenda of King and co, when you're as worshipped and coveted as Slayer it simply isn't possible to rattle off new albums every other year. It has to be carefully considered and created, as members of the band wait for each other to come up with new material so they can laze about presumably and bid on WW2 memorabilia on E Bay, as King and Hanneman attempt to outbid each other on an SS bayonet. Thankfully 'Christ Illusion' provides us with Slayer at their finest, considerable proof that when they get their acts together there is not a finer thrash, or metal band that exists. Still I don't want to be 37 when they decide to record again.
This is without exaggeration the fastest album since 'Reign In Blood, and inspired perhaps by the return of Dave Lombardo, who as he did from 'Show No Mercy' to 'Seasons In The Abyss' provides arguably the finest thrash drumming in the genre. It gives Slayer back the sound they lost when he left in 1992, and traces of the bands music from decades past rears itself occasionally, as early as brutal opener 'Flesh Storm' with it's monstrous intro that careers into savage speed and fury that Slayer trademarked back in 1986. The overall sound still beckons to 'God Hates Us All', but as classic as that was you won't find many complaints. It is simply evolution Slayer style. Not that the themes have evolved and ever will. War, terrorism, warped christian beliefs, political subterfuge. For a bunch of men in their forties to still be rallying against such things, they must truly believe in them. At least Araya is spared another necrophilia outburst, although 'Black Serenade' furthers his serial killer fetish.
'Supremist', 'Jihad', 'Cult', 'Confearacy' and 'Catalyst' are examples of timeless Slayer thash among others and lay waste to all other acts new and old pursuing the same direction. The riffs are more aggressive than ever, and turned up loud to maximum capacity are incomprehensible in their effect. Essentially this a Kerry King solo album which explains its superiority, the great man writing seven of the ten tracks. Where Slayer also succeed is creating new tracks that easily fit in to their live set and are songs you want to hear in a live setting also. To still be producing music this heavy twenty three years into a recording career is staggering. Naysayers will surely exist but to those who know, this is vintage Slayer and a chilling statement of their ongoing project into clinical thrash. Take advantage of it. It won't last forever.
'Flesh Storm'- Slayer's track record of classic openers remains intact with a blast that equals 'War Ensemble' during the opening bars, with King informing us 'violence is a way of life'. For him. And me. 'Killing's in style' he muses, before rightfully concluding 'there is no future, the world is dead, so save that last bullet for your head'. Good advice Kerry.
'Catalyst'- Kerry is adamant he is a man with few peers: 'I live for competition...I am the culmination, setting the standard all others will follow!' Another thrasher, praise be son. 'Attitude is my addiction, I live life with no regret!' Not even for 'Undisputed Attitude'?
'Skeleton Christ'- King denounces Christianity, they'll never touch or see him. 'Hail Satan!' screams Tom through Kerry. More thrash which owes much to 'God Hates Us All's sound. 'I've seen the ways of God, I'll take the devil any day!'
'Eyes Of The Insane'- As this an Araya/Hanneman composition it's automatically slower, a tribute to demented veretans haunted by the drudgery and horror of war. 'These thoughts of mutilated faces, completely poesessed....death's riding, he's coming for me!' Well handled with no subtlety whatsoever, not that there is any in a warzone. You'd think Slayer themselves had been in the Gulf War crisis with their observations. The closest they've come is Wellington Town Hall in 1995 when faced by a shirtless, short wearing ex Kiwi vet covered in sweat staring them down. From the fiftieth row.
'Jihad'- The opening bars are unique, trying to evoke a middle eastern vibe before descending into a stop start thrasher which contains riffs twisted and sickening, threatening their own holy war. The more I listen to the whole album I'm convinced it's among their best ever. Someone once said 'Seasons In the Abyss' was music to die for. This is worth killing for.
'Consfearacy'- Kerry King is the songwriter of our times. The steps he took on 'God Hates Us All' are furthered on this attack on our putrid government, a piece of thrash that combines every era of Slayer into one. At once you can hear 'Reign in Blood', 'Seasons' , 'Divine Intervention' and the last two all melted into a pool of hate and heaviness that willl never be matched. 'I hate the shit economy, it might as well be sodomy' yells King in one of his best observations yet. He knows the reality, 'I know that in the end, I'm expected to pretend.' Somehow King has become champion for the working stiff like you and I.
'Catatonic'- King dissolves into serial killer mode, as he feels 'exhilarated keeping pieces of you near'. Sounds like a 'God Hates Us All' reject, half paced, and by the numbers, easily the only non essential track, but still unflinchingly heavy. It could be Araya wrote it but King saved him the shame and put his name to it.
'Black Serenade'- Hanneman and Araya pool their resources into this serial killer piece which after more mid paced theatrics warps into thrash of the highest order, 'Reign In Blood' like to be exact. The riffs are scathing and despicable, proving none of Slayer's ugliness has been lost.
'Cult'- King's assault continues with yet more vintage thrash again taking Christians to task, 'religon's obscure, religon's a whore!.....I've made my choice six six six!' The icing has to be 'the target's fucking Jesus Christ, I would have led the sacrifice, and nailed him to the crucifix'. As King states those believing overtly in the faith are weak and cant deal with their own problems personally. Therefore 'there was no jesus christ, there never was a sacrifice!'.
'Supremist'- Lombardo's job though the entire album is perfect, and here he is allowed room to experiment with what sounds like a blast beat, a Slayer first surely! King unfurls further war on Jesus with speed heaped on more speed. You know King's irate as this is the most consistent speed Slayer have used in five years. Typically reviews circulating of 'Christ Illusion' point it as more of the same and weak. Who are these people? Did they hear the breakdown at the 2:05 point of this track? It comes out of nowhere, impossible to grasp, annihilation. Twenty five years in and still pummeling like no other.
Rating: A+
2006, Def American
Tom Araya- bass, vocals
Kerry King, Jeff Hanneman- guitar
Dave Lombardo- drums
Waiting five years for Slayer to produce new music you tend to watch your own life fly by, wondering if the band are content to tour forever as a hits band instead of creating anything meaningful ever again. But this is the notorious agenda of King and co, when you're as worshipped and coveted as Slayer it simply isn't possible to rattle off new albums every other year. It has to be carefully considered and created, as members of the band wait for each other to come up with new material so they can laze about presumably and bid on WW2 memorabilia on E Bay, as King and Hanneman attempt to outbid each other on an SS bayonet. Thankfully 'Christ Illusion' provides us with Slayer at their finest, considerable proof that when they get their acts together there is not a finer thrash, or metal band that exists. Still I don't want to be 37 when they decide to record again.
This is without exaggeration the fastest album since 'Reign In Blood, and inspired perhaps by the return of Dave Lombardo, who as he did from 'Show No Mercy' to 'Seasons In The Abyss' provides arguably the finest thrash drumming in the genre. It gives Slayer back the sound they lost when he left in 1992, and traces of the bands music from decades past rears itself occasionally, as early as brutal opener 'Flesh Storm' with it's monstrous intro that careers into savage speed and fury that Slayer trademarked back in 1986. The overall sound still beckons to 'God Hates Us All', but as classic as that was you won't find many complaints. It is simply evolution Slayer style. Not that the themes have evolved and ever will. War, terrorism, warped christian beliefs, political subterfuge. For a bunch of men in their forties to still be rallying against such things, they must truly believe in them. At least Araya is spared another necrophilia outburst, although 'Black Serenade' furthers his serial killer fetish.
'Supremist', 'Jihad', 'Cult', 'Confearacy' and 'Catalyst' are examples of timeless Slayer thash among others and lay waste to all other acts new and old pursuing the same direction. The riffs are more aggressive than ever, and turned up loud to maximum capacity are incomprehensible in their effect. Essentially this a Kerry King solo album which explains its superiority, the great man writing seven of the ten tracks. Where Slayer also succeed is creating new tracks that easily fit in to their live set and are songs you want to hear in a live setting also. To still be producing music this heavy twenty three years into a recording career is staggering. Naysayers will surely exist but to those who know, this is vintage Slayer and a chilling statement of their ongoing project into clinical thrash. Take advantage of it. It won't last forever.
'Flesh Storm'- Slayer's track record of classic openers remains intact with a blast that equals 'War Ensemble' during the opening bars, with King informing us 'violence is a way of life'. For him. And me. 'Killing's in style' he muses, before rightfully concluding 'there is no future, the world is dead, so save that last bullet for your head'. Good advice Kerry.
'Catalyst'- Kerry is adamant he is a man with few peers: 'I live for competition...I am the culmination, setting the standard all others will follow!' Another thrasher, praise be son. 'Attitude is my addiction, I live life with no regret!' Not even for 'Undisputed Attitude'?
'Skeleton Christ'- King denounces Christianity, they'll never touch or see him. 'Hail Satan!' screams Tom through Kerry. More thrash which owes much to 'God Hates Us All's sound. 'I've seen the ways of God, I'll take the devil any day!'
'Eyes Of The Insane'- As this an Araya/Hanneman composition it's automatically slower, a tribute to demented veretans haunted by the drudgery and horror of war. 'These thoughts of mutilated faces, completely poesessed....death's riding, he's coming for me!' Well handled with no subtlety whatsoever, not that there is any in a warzone. You'd think Slayer themselves had been in the Gulf War crisis with their observations. The closest they've come is Wellington Town Hall in 1995 when faced by a shirtless, short wearing ex Kiwi vet covered in sweat staring them down. From the fiftieth row.
'Jihad'- The opening bars are unique, trying to evoke a middle eastern vibe before descending into a stop start thrasher which contains riffs twisted and sickening, threatening their own holy war. The more I listen to the whole album I'm convinced it's among their best ever. Someone once said 'Seasons In the Abyss' was music to die for. This is worth killing for.
'Consfearacy'- Kerry King is the songwriter of our times. The steps he took on 'God Hates Us All' are furthered on this attack on our putrid government, a piece of thrash that combines every era of Slayer into one. At once you can hear 'Reign in Blood', 'Seasons' , 'Divine Intervention' and the last two all melted into a pool of hate and heaviness that willl never be matched. 'I hate the shit economy, it might as well be sodomy' yells King in one of his best observations yet. He knows the reality, 'I know that in the end, I'm expected to pretend.' Somehow King has become champion for the working stiff like you and I.
'Catatonic'- King dissolves into serial killer mode, as he feels 'exhilarated keeping pieces of you near'. Sounds like a 'God Hates Us All' reject, half paced, and by the numbers, easily the only non essential track, but still unflinchingly heavy. It could be Araya wrote it but King saved him the shame and put his name to it.
'Black Serenade'- Hanneman and Araya pool their resources into this serial killer piece which after more mid paced theatrics warps into thrash of the highest order, 'Reign In Blood' like to be exact. The riffs are scathing and despicable, proving none of Slayer's ugliness has been lost.
'Cult'- King's assault continues with yet more vintage thrash again taking Christians to task, 'religon's obscure, religon's a whore!.....I've made my choice six six six!' The icing has to be 'the target's fucking Jesus Christ, I would have led the sacrifice, and nailed him to the crucifix'. As King states those believing overtly in the faith are weak and cant deal with their own problems personally. Therefore 'there was no jesus christ, there never was a sacrifice!'.
'Supremist'- Lombardo's job though the entire album is perfect, and here he is allowed room to experiment with what sounds like a blast beat, a Slayer first surely! King unfurls further war on Jesus with speed heaped on more speed. You know King's irate as this is the most consistent speed Slayer have used in five years. Typically reviews circulating of 'Christ Illusion' point it as more of the same and weak. Who are these people? Did they hear the breakdown at the 2:05 point of this track? It comes out of nowhere, impossible to grasp, annihilation. Twenty five years in and still pummeling like no other.
Rating: A+
