Slayer Album: “Christ Illusion [PA]”

In a move almost no one expected, Slayer has released arguably the best metal record of 2006 in Christ Illusion. There is going to be a lot of people who will hear the VERY recognizable elements of Slayer on this and will quickly dismiss this as more "same old, same old", and in doing so will miss out on what is the best songwriting package Slayer has delivered since "Seasons In The Abyss" 16 years ago.

This record is the prototypical modern era Slayer record. It has all of the elements that make Slayer, well, Slayer.. the speed, the thrash, the aggression. However, Slayer's core sound has continually expanded as they evolve with the metal scene. There are some black metal influences here, some Nile-like guitar riffing, even some metalcore influences in the heavy double bass beat patterns all over the record. Still, Slayer makes all of these elements their own and successfully incorporates them into their own style - without comprising anything that makes Slayer Slayer. The most important element here is the songwriting.

A key factor is the return of original drummer Dave Lombardo. Since Dave left, he has continued to grow and evolve as a drummer in the many projects he was involved in, and this diversity and experience really comes through here. Dave delivers, in my opinion, his most inspiring and interesting drum performance on Christ Illusion. Paul Bostaph, most agree, is a better pure technical metal drummer. A true machine. Lombardo's style however is KEY to Slayer's sound and his return highlights that. Has his feet ever sounded faster than on "Supremist"? Is that an actual blastbeat I hear? YES!

This is the first record since Seasons in which I can honestly say that I like every track. The previous few Slayer records "God Hates Us All", "Diabolus in Musica" and "Divine Intervention" all had their good moments and their forgettable moments. Christ Illusion is really a strong record as a whole without any glowing weaknesses.

If there is a weaker track, for me its probably, ironically, the much hyped lead track "Cult". This has more to do with the over-the-top lyrical content. It's not that I'm offended in the least, it just comes across so overtly as to approach parody. Jesus Christ this Jesus Christ that, "I've made my choice! 666!". I just feel it detracts slightly from the song. A great song to scare the parents with though.

A note on Slayer lyrical content: Art has a responsibility for each age to document things that don't go into a history book. People's fears, their desires, the mood of the times, the lifestyle, the beliefs, the ugliness, the beauty. This is reflected through song, through sculpture, through paintings, through books. Slayer is a reflection of the darkness of modern society. Violence, warfare, destruction, murder, corruption, genocide, betrayal, slavery, control, fear, punishment, religion. Whether it's recounting the horrors of the Jewish holocaust in "Angel of Death" or viewing the 9/11 event through the eyes of a terrorist on "Jihad", Slayer touch upon the dark realities of life that people don't like to think about. They do this without glorifying, without judgment or even condemnation - they merely reflect what "Is", music being their canvas. If the world ever ends, Slayer will play the soundtrack. Having said that, sometimes Slayer try a bit too hard to be "Satanic". While no one in the band is a Satanist (vocalist Araya is in fact a practicing Catholic), the lyrics are just Kerry King's way of rejecting organized religion (King writes most Slayer lyrics and music), it can still become near comical if it's used too much. An example is "Cult". A minor point.

While I genuinely enjoy every song on the record, a few highlights:

"Flesh Storm" - A great Slayer album opener. Very catchy chorus, the break down near the end has a heavy groove and is classic Slayer.

"Jihad" - definitely one of Slayer's most controversial songs, lyrically, and musically one of their most unique. Doesn't sound like any other Slayer song and shows off impressive tempo changes and dynamic shifts. Really creepy monologue delivered by Araya at the end.

"Skeleton Christ" - a medium tempo crushing song. A song that wouldn't seem too out of place on a Chimaira record. Heavy, pounding, mid tempo behemoth of a song. Great Chorus.

"Supremist" - could be Slayer's fastest song. A true blazer, heavy and relentless. The slow ending with Araya reciting "Must maintain control of the weak / must contain the minds of the free" is a picture perfect example of a Slayer moment to send a shiver down your spine.

Slayer has returned, and in returning they have ascended back to their throne, and retaken their dominion over all that is metal.

I tried to love this CD because it is the return of Dave Lombardo but it just leaves almost NO impression on me. Kerry King has been writing most of the Slayer material for the past decade and quite frankly I think it is dry and uninteresting. Jeff Hanneman was the driving force behind the great days of Slayer and I don't know if he is just getting bored with the band or if he has lost his magic for writing great songs. Jeff has abondoned most of the song writing leaving King in charge. Sorry Kerry, but you are a subpar song writer at best. Your lyrics are juvenile and your wah guitar leads are annoying. I have a feeling that unless Jeff Hanneman gets inspired to write some new material we are doomed to listen to Kerry King's C level version of Slayer. JEFF WHERE ARE YOU????

By now you've probably read a broad spectrum of reviews ranging from one-star to five-stars. The one-star ratings tend to be from folks who are looking for 'Reign in Blood II'. The five stars tend to be from folks who tend to like anything Slayer does.

I have been a Slayer fan since 'South of Heaven' and have every album. Some are better than others, but Slayer ALWAYS BRINGS IT with every album. Basically, all I have to say is that if you are a Slayer fan, this album is worth picking up. I personally think it's their best since 'Seasons in the Abyss' (I didn't think they were going to top 'God Hates Us All', but they did). The lyrics are some of their most intense in a few albums (except maybe 'Disciple' from GHUA). You might listen to it and feel otherwise, but I think it's almost guaranteed that a true Slayer fan will like this album (even if it you feel it's not their best). If you like Slayer just buy the darn thing and enjoy it. Crank it up, don't overanalyze it, and make up your own mind.

BTW - Regardless of how one feels about this album, it is definitely NOT NU-METAL. I think that is an accusation leveled by haters just to discredit a band or their work. The label does not apply here in any way, shape, or form.

Before anyone blasts my review, please do me a favor and do an Internet search for "dynamic range compression" as this will give you a glimpse of what I'm talking about here.

First, I will say I am a fan of this "new" Slayer and the old. I love the music over all, but this CD and the original release are a mess from a technical stand point.

Track 10 - Supremist is laced with clipped peaks in the music. This manifests itself as static sounding. It's especially noticeable in the final 30-40 seconds of the track.

When you wonder what dynamic range compression is, I compare it to this:

If you punch someone in the face repeatedly, you have a lasting impact.

If you punch someone in the face and just hold your fist there, the impact is lessened and probably closer to no effect at all.

Dynamic range compression is the latter while proper mastering is the former. Dynamic range compression brings the levels of every instrument to the same level, lessening the impact of solos, drums, vocals and the music over all.

The first time I listened to this CD I couldn't make it past track 6. I had to stop as it just drains you while listening to it as it is literally in your face (so to speak) the entire time.

Slayer really should go back and "remaster" this properly from the original digital recordings so it sounds as amazing as it likely would live.

If you hated Reign and Seasons, you'll probably hate this one too. If you loved them, it's still not a safe bet, but it's worth a listen.

The good news is that this is easily Slayer's best effort in years, especially if you prefer their classic sound. Lombardo's return has definitely been an improvement.

The bad news is that it's still not as good as their older stuff and a lot of it sounds suspiciously familiar. It's sort of like one of those "Lost Tracks" CDs that a band puts out after their frontman dies - like leftovers and alternates from Reign and Seasons (not such a bad thing). A lot of the "blasphemy" seems forced or overly calculated ("we're still evil, we promise!!").

I still like it a lot. I certainly prefer it to their last several efforts. I'm hoping this was just a warmup for greater things.