Slayer Album: “World Painted Blood [Deluxe Edition]”

If you're looking for a Slayer album that rivals all-time classics like Reign in Blood or Seasons in the Abyss, this ain't it. At the same time, let's be realistic. This is Slayer 20+ years later. All in all, I think this is a rather good effort.

Pros:

*The songs are pretty good. Some are better than others, but I'm not compelled to skip any tracks. From start to finish, this is a solid, consistent recording.

*It sounds more like pure, classic Slayer than Christ Illusion (though I enjoyed Christ Illusion too, BTW). If you didn't like Christ Illusion, you'll like this better but don't expect to be blown away.

*It's Slayer. It sounds like Slayer. It's good.

Cons:

*The production is a mixed bag. Tom's vocals sound good. Dave's drums are heavy. The rhythm guitars sound terrible. They're thin and weak. Producer Greg Fidelman needs to find a new career. He's worthless.

*The riffs, while generally good, aren't particularly complex. On a technical level, everything can be played with one guitar. I wonder if this is a product of Jeff and Kerry writing songs separately these days. Neither seem to write song with dual-riffing in mind anymore.

*Even when Jeff and Kerry play the same riff simultaneously, it still sounds like one guitar due to the weak production. Did I mention that Greg Fidelman's worthless?

Overall, this is a good album by Slayer circa 2009. Any Slayer fan with reasonable expectations will enjoy it. Can it live up to the band's classic releases? Of course not! The Slayer of today can't possibly play with the strength and power of the Slayer of twenty years ago. That said, Slayer can still deliver the goods. Just don't expect the goods to be as in good condition as they were 20 years ago.

Slayer have once again shown why they are the best. This album is better than Christ Illusion. It's more focused, more aggressive, and more sinister.

It's all here: All-out speed, chugging/moshable grooves, insane guitar leads, Araya's timeless vocals (both gruff and spoken/softer), and the magnificent drum work of the inimitable Dave Lombardo. All of that is meshed together in such a razor-sharp manner, that you can't help but be blown away.

As for the extra DVD...eh. Not such a big deal.

If you've EVER liked Slayer, get this CD now. You will not be dissappointed.

Slayer is, without a doubt, the most consistent and reliable Metal band of their generation.

As a Slayer fan since the Reign in Blood days, my favorite Slayer albums are from the period comprising Reign in Blood--> South of Heaven--> Seasons in the Abyss--> Divine Intervention. The immediately preceding album, Hell Awaits, is quite good too, but not quite up to this level.

I felt they lost their way a bit after this; not a lot, just a bit. In my opinion, Diabolus, God Hates Us All, Christ Illusion, and now World Painted Blood are down a bit from that "classic" 5-star Slayer period. Overall these most recent 4 albums seem to lack the staying power of the earlier ones. I can't put my finger on why I feel this way because there are some excellent individual songs on these albums. Maybe I'm just getting older and more nostalgic...who knows.

On a side note, I find it interesting that a lot of the Amazon reviewers complain about the production of this album and then in the same breath praise the low-budget poorly produced 80's albums like Hell Awaits, Reign in Blood, and Show No Mercy. Doesn't make any sense.

Finally, from reading the reviews here, it's obvious that Slayer fans are a diverse lot that possess many varying views on what they like about the band's direction and what they don't like about it. To me, World Painted Blood is pretty much a standard 21st century Slayer release. Not bad, but then again, not outstanding either...there are a handful of memorable tracks on here that will stand the test of time. I give this album 3+ stars. I want to give it 4, and maybe it will grow on me and obtain that 4th star one day, but it's not quite there yet...

SLAYER has returned with a MONSTER of an album!

Not that they ever went away, but "World Painted Blood" can take it's unholy place next to "Reign in Blood", "South of Heaven" & "Seasons in the Abyss". The originators of Extreme Metal have returned to claim their Blood Drenched Throne.

Those people that say they have been in a rut the last few years, just need to listen to this album once--twice--who am I kidding, just leave it in your cd player. Not only have they ditched pro-tools for Dave, but Dave is once again showing why he is the First, the Last & ONLY NAME IN EXTREME THRASH! His drums are thumping & to help with the bone crushing riffs he scaled back to a 9 piece. Tom is back in classic form that was very apparent on "South of Heaven" & "Seasons in the Abyss", Kerry is well Kerry (we don't our unholy bald brother to change now do we?) Jeff has returned & what a return--SLAYER is 20 times better when Jeff is heavily involved.

This is what the follow up to "Seasons" should have been. Once again they show the immitators how the big boys do it.

Do yourself a favor & buy this album right now, in fact don't stop with this album, go on a demonic journey until you see yourself throw your horns in the air & scream SLAYER till you lungs bleed.

This is why Slayer are still around and are still a real vital force in the metal scene---they continue to put out quality metal music. They're not just putting out new CDs so they can have an excuse to tour and play the golden oldies.

World Painted Blood makes Slayer sound just as fresh and important as they did in the 80's.

It's difficult to pick out the best songs on this CD, there are highlights, but really every track is good. This album can really hold it's own even when compared to the classics; Reign in Blood, South of Heaven and Seasons in the Abyss...really. I've always been a fan of Divine Intervention too, WPB is just as good, maybe better.

It's better than Show no Mercy and Hell Awaits. It by far surpasses Diabolus (The only Slayer CD I don't like a lot). It's better than Christ Illusion (I like that one too).

I like the sheer aggression and rawness of God Hates us All, but WPB is better--it has all the aggression plus the old school riffs and melody, the solos, the drumming, the screams...ahhhhhh!!!

It's really just the next step of Slayer's evolution. All the best parts of what they've done in the past and little more.

Whenever one of the big four put out a new album there has to be a comparison, well this release far surpasses Megadaves last release; Endgame.

Metallica's Death Magnetic was an improvement for them, but has nowhere near the sheer power and frankly, talent as WPB.

And Anthrax? Are they even relevant at this point?

Slayer are the only one of the big 4 that have stayed true to their fans, thier roots, they are thr Thrash Metal Gods.