Slayer Album: “Divine Intervention [PA]”

Where to begin? Even the cover art chosen for this album is perfect, the medieval feel of the swords and dungeon-esque stone circle recall Slayer's early 80s image, such as the cover of Show No Mercy, but the laughing skull whose nose forms the spine of a human skeleton against a backdrop of the infinity of the universe infuses a feel of vast loneliness, finality and horror. This album is really something special- the themes in the cover art seem to find their way into the songs on the album, almost like the band was using the art as inspiration (or vice-versa). Take the song `Divine Intervention', where the twisting arrangement climbs to an eerie, `final' -sounding plateau, while Tom Araya's voice (coming from several directions at once) speaks suitably angst-ridden lyrics over the echoing, hollow guitars with a conviction rarely heard on other albums. This is key - the conviction on this album, this is the sound of a band after a 10 year dominance of the genre; playing at the edge of their ability and unafraid to take risks. From the commanding opener, `Killing Fields', through the vicious `Sex Murder Art', and on through the haunting `213', every element in the music seems to fit perfectly, leaving the listener on the edge of their seat.

Once you're through listening to it, the album feels `epic': so many dark places have been visited, no songs sounding even similar to each other - every song has its own vibe and manic, distressed guitar work. The guitars on this album are mesmerizing. Others may disagree, but the 'different' tone has a lot to do with it (I read somewhere that Kerry and Jeff switched from Marshall JCM800s to modified JCM900s for this album). What ever they did - it drives the mood of the album perfectly, having a sort of 'over the edge' and 'gushy' sound to it - very sinister. It's also cool that Jeff's guitar sounds different than Kerry's - think when the first guitar comes in on `Killing Fields', then a louder, more-midreangey one crash-lands into the mix playing the same riff, taking up the intensity a hundredfold with its looser, over-the-top sound. The songs on this album consistently employ this sort of `edgy' guitar work, full of odd timing and sprawling, decrepit solos. I was frankly devastated upon hearing the standard-metal riffs resorted to on their next release, Diabolous in Musica, but we won't go there.

My review falls far short of conveying the unique darkness on this album. I'm often surprised to hear what other heavy metal fans seem to value in music. It seems many people are really only seeking something -fast-, aggressive, lots of yelling etc. If you are someone like that, on a surface level this album will not disappoint. However, if you crave music for its atmosphere, its ability to convey our darkest and most suffocating doubts about our existence, and true unapologetic, unrestrained art, then this album is essential listening. A high water mark for Slayer.

I've been a Slayer fan for almost 15 years now, and I clearly remember how in a promo-interview after "Seasons in the Abyss" was released in 1990 Tom Araya promised, that from that year on they would release a new album every year, because they felt very creative. And then... BANG! Dave Lombardo left the band, and there was 4 years of silence.

Upon listening to this record, on one hand, I was really happy to have yet another violent thrash record by my favourite band at that time. On the other, something was missing. That something was the diversity of the drums that only Lombardo could provide. I'm not saying that Paul Bostaph is a bad drummer, no way, but he has certain limitations. These limitations lead Slayer into more punkish/hardcore realm with their music. Like "Seasons in the Abyss" crossed with something like D.R.I. With that change, the vocal style has changed too, to more hardcore angry tone, and again, diversity was lost on the way.

While I like most of the songs offered here, some of them just don't glue with me. And seeing how this path ultimately has broought Slayer to an utter disgrace in form of "God Hates Us All", I can only sigh, because "Divine Intervention" proves that, while pleasantly violent, it's not classic Slayer any more, and never will there be.

This is another favorite Slayer album in my collection. I bought it sometime in the fall of 1994. I brought it on cassette. Before this album came out, the band went through some changes. One of those changes was Dave Lumbardo who was the band's long-time drummer being kicked out of the band. He is replaced by Paul Bostaph who comes from bay area thrash band Forbidden. It's possibly sure that this made some of the band's long-time fans very doubtful. Not to worry because Slayer conquers all. So before this album came out, there was a short commercial with short footage of the band in the studio and the song Dittohead was playing in the background. This was during a commercial break of the old Headbangers Ball. That commercial was probably a little teaser but soon, the video for Dittohead aired on The Ball. The song, the video and the commercial ruled. So I went on to buy this album and like any and every other Slayer album, it delivered.

Now for my review. There has never been a bad album when it's released under the band name Slayer and this album is no exception. This is the first one with drummer Paul Bastaph who was in Forbidden before joining Slayer. While in Forbidden, he smoked and in Slayer, he smokes even more. With this album, it's an entirely new direction for the band. Not to worry, the intensity, heaviness, brutality and pulverizing assault is still here but the lyrical content is full of real life themes instead of the satanic, evil lyrics and images of the past. The band is still as aggressive as ever but the lyrical content is different. There's no flowers and happy stuff because the dark image is still there and it will always be. The themes here deal with war, war crimes, mind manipulation, rape, murder and violence. It's everything a Slayer fan ever could ask for. Some of my favorite songs here are Killing Fields, Dittohead, Divine Intervention, Serenity In Murder and 213 which is my favorite. Buy this album and prepare for some divine intervention of your own.

Divine Intervention.

Being a Slayer fan since the 80s. Occasionally I pull out albums of thiers I've not listened to in awhile. Last night Divine Intervention was up.

The good:

1) The album still rocks and rocks hard. Bustaph does well. I don't think he has the organic feel Dave has. However, Paul is overall very capable. No Paul bashing here.

2) "213" If for any reason you consider this album - this cut is a must have. Its a true gem in Slayer's catalog. Tom's lyrics take this one to a special place.

3) "Dittohead" - Surprising for a Kerry composition. Has more hardcore feel to it. Which, is normally Jeff's job. Next question - Is Kerry a closet Limbaugh fan?

The bad:

1) I agree with the tone on the guitar. It is a bit different. Its almost more of a heavy processed sound. Its not bad. Its just a bit jarring. I always loved Slayer's clean guitar sound.

2) I don't think this LP flows nearly as well as previous albums. Seasons I can sit and go on a ride. Then realize after its over... wow, this album flows superbly. This one doesn't have that smoothness. It has flashes of greatness only to fall back only to good because of the flow.

3) I'll come out and say it "Serenity In Murder" is a curious experiment. Tom's vocal technique is different. I'm not sure it works. You alternate between classic slayer style to Tom actually singing. Its interesting.

This one came out while the pop grunge garbage out of Seattle was in full "coolness". So this album was more under the radar than previous Slayer albums.

Overall, I gotta give it 3 3/4 stars. It takes some knocks for the processing and its not as smooth trackwise as its predecessors.

However, this album still kicks. Its a very worthy effort. If you've gotten all the essentual Slayer albums, go for this one.

The musik is fast and gross, the guitar sound is dumm, the band looks retarded. Go Bengals!! If you root for a team other than the Bengals, your rooting for the rong teem buddy!!