Slayer - Christ Illusion Review
Posted by Brandon Ratliff on 08.08.2006
It's about damn time...Slayer is back.
Slayer - Christ Illusion
Release Date: August 8, 2006
Label: American Records
Produced By: Josh Abraham and Rick Rubin
First Single: Cult
Recommended Downloads: Flesh Storm, Cult, Catatonic
Slayer is:
Vocals/Bass: Tom Araya
Guitar: Kerry King
Guitar: Jeff Hanneman
Drums: Dave Lombardo
Tracklisting
1. Flesh Storm
2. Catalyst
3. Skeleton Christ
4. Eyes Of The Insane
5. Jihad
6. Consfearacy
7. Catatonic
8. Black Serenade
9. Cult
10. Supremist
Total Runtime: 38:29
If you have lived in this world, you have heard of Slayer. Being one of the original "big four" of thrash bands (Megadeth and Metallica are obvious, but can you name the last? I'm looking at you hardcore kids...), to say the band has had a career of legendary proportions is putting it mildly. They have been around for what, like twenty-three years now? One of the biggest things of note about the band is the four album run they had way back in the early (in retrospect of course) stages of their career. Hell Awaits, Reign In Blood, South Of Heaven, and Seasons In The Abyss. Those four albums, almost even more than the four Metallica had, define thrash metal as a genre, and showed how to do it right. I could go on about the immeasurable influence Slayer, and those albums in particular have had on thrash and metal in general, but there is no need as it is basically common knowledge to anyone with any real interest in reading this review. But ever since Seasons was released way back in 1990, the band's material has been really hit and miss with fans and critics alike. Fittingly enough, that was also drummer Dave Lombardo's last album with the band before departing for greener pastures.
When Lombardo's return was announced a couple of years back, fans were estatic. No word was mentioned of a new album just yet, but the band was going to tour together as the original lineup for the first time in fourteen or fifteen years. They did, and the people rejoiced. But with Lombardo back, was Slayer preparing for a new album? You better bet they were. Initial work on it began late last year, and ever since the band have slaved away in a studio with producers Josh Abraham and Rick Rubin, trying to create the album of the millinium. Of course, God Hates Us All DID come out in 2001 (on September 11th no less...talk about bad timing), but who really counts that one? But this album, the first back with drummer Dave Lombardo since Seasons...this was going to be the album Slayer fans were waiting for. Or was it?
Proving in true Slayer fashion, the album starts out with a slow build-up into the crushing Flesh Storm. Picture that literally...eww. Anyways, by the time the first refrain hits you in the opener, it is easy to tell this album is going to be something special. With all due respect Paul Bostaph and Jon Dette, there is no drummer that fits with Slayer like Lombardo. You've got the traditional machine gun kicks, and the calculated madness of his drumming as a whole. Lombardo's presense in the band makes a very noticible difference, as for the first time in years, the band sounds and feels refreshed and recharged. For years Slayer fans have wanted an album to talk about, an album that is just so damn...well, Slayer. This album is it folks. There is little doubt about it. The band does change it up a bit with tracks Eyes Of The Insane and Jihad, with the former being told through the eyes of soldier suffering from post tramatic stress disorder from being in the battlefield...this soldier may or may not still be there as well...the lyrics cleverly avoid saying either outright. The latter has been talked about quite a bit so you probavbly already know the story, but it is being told from a terrorist's perspective.Consfearacy is also like a throwback to the Slayer of old...almost so much that it could fit right in on one of the four albums besides South Of Heaven and feel right at home.
As strong as the album is however, it is not without its faults. The bulk of the album was written by guitarist Kerry King, and at times, while King and Hanneman rip through the entire album with expert precision, some of the riffs and musical passages feel like the same ol' Slayer, different album. Rehashed is a little too strong a word for the situation though, it justs seems a little too familiar at points, especially when looking at the band's last couple of albums. In addition, while the lyrics and tone to Jihad are interesting to say the least, the arrangement is just a little too erratic to really work as a song overall. It's not a bad song, just a little clumsy. There isn't a whole lot besides that though. A couple of parts here and there could have used some retuning before being laid to tape, but for the most part, everything works really well as is.
There is little doubt that this is the best Slayer album since Seasons In The Abyss. A bold statement, but one I feel confident in as a reviewer. Lombardo's return has ignited a spark of intensity in the band that hasn't been seen over the last decade and a half, and the outcome of that spark is a really well put together album that does way more right that it does wrong. Josh Abraham (since Rubin served as more of an executive producer) managed to assist the band in creating its best album in a long time, and deserves credit for that. Araya sounds as intense as usual, but there is a little something extra present in his vocal performance here that has not been evident over the past couple of albums. King and Hanneman are just as good as they always are, with many of the songs featuring some of the best thrash solos you will hear this side of Master Of Puppets. And Lombardo...not enough can be said about the wonders this man's return has done to the band's spirit and songwriting. This is Slayer as it is meant to be, and if you don't think so, you need to take your copy of Undisputed Attitude out of your CD player and school yourself with repeated listens of Reign In Blood, South Of Heaven, Hell Awaits, and Seasons In The Abyss. After doing that, give Christ Illusion another listen. Then and only then can you appreciate Slayer in top form, because that is exactly what this album is.
The 411: Definitely their best album since 1990's Seasons In The Abyss, Slayer have come back out on top of their game. Dave Lombardo's return behind the kit is allowing the band to show an energy and intensity that hasn't been see for the better part of two decades. Josh Abraham did a great job producing and mixing the album as well, pulling top notch performances out of each and every member. Araya sounds better than ever as well, believe it or not. There are one or two missteps on the album, such as a lot of the music to Jihad and a couple of seemingly familiar riffs, but these are scratches on the underbelly of a Dodge Viper. This is the Slayer album you have been waiting for. Hell, dare I even say it...Slayer are back. Pick this one up.
