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Slayer - Christ Illusion Sampler Dave Lombardo's departure in '92 was just one of the markers that divided classic Slayer from “it'll do”. Not that the drummer's replacement wasn't up to scratch—in fairness Paul Bostaph was the technical player—it's just that he wasn't the one warming the stool when guitarist writers King and Hanneman were penning some of their iconic tracks.
Now, differences aside, Lombardo's back on his first studio album with the band in 16 years. And there is much hope that his re-introduction to the chemistry will rekindle old fires.
The catch? No Rick Rubin again.
You can hear Slayer's new song Cult, produced by Josh Abraham (Velvet Revolver) right now at slayer.net.
This first track off forthcoming album Christ Illusion shows not much has changed since '98's Diabolus In Musica. It still sounds like Bostaph's pounding the kit with those overly beefy sounds, opposed to the brittle, derailed feel on Slayer's 80's records, and they're still interested in muddy guitar tunings. The album title, referenced in the lyrics, reflects they still enjoy Bible bashing, even though it's gone beyond boring now.
Trademark soloing and speed aside, it's not that memorable and suggests quality issues if they deem this a representative first taste. However, this is still better than most current material put out by their peers. And by great fortune Slayer have sprinkled nu-metal elements better than younger bands.
Eyes Of The Insane validates Kerry King's promise that the album will be a cross between 2001's God Hates Us All and 1990's Seasons In The Abyss with it's grisly guitars, soldier trauma based lyrics and wall of drums. Though not as fast or varied it does have a certain engrossing menace I find positive.
The song mooted to controversy this time around is Jihad, with lyrics that see the events of 9/11 from a religious terrorist's point of view. Unlike '86's Angel Of Death. however, this is unlikely to generate attention for a number of reasons. Firstly 9/11 songs are so... 2002. Furthermore, musically it sounds like System Of A Down with lyrics that are often hard to catch without a lyric sheet – at least to my ears. It's decent, not great.
From the starter course, Christ Illusion could either be a pretty good album or a rather mediocre one.
The songs have to be better than the album title at least.
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