Christ Illusion [PA]

Performer: Slayer
Producer: Josh Abraham
Distributor: Sony Music Distribution (

Notes: Slayer: Tom Araya (vocals, bass guitar); Jeff Hanneman, Kerry King (guitar); Dave Lombardo (drums). 2006's CHRIST ILLUSION marks a return to form for one of the fiercest and most influential metal bands in history. Slayer's original lineup reconvened in the studio for the first time since 1990's SEASONS IN THE ABYSS for CHRIST ILLUSION, and the results recall the classic sound of landmark thrash releases like 1986's REIGN IN BLOOD. Time hasn't dulled the band's terrifying intensity one iota; if anything, Slayer's sound crackles with renewed attack. The breathtaking double-time drums, grinding guitar riff, and throat-shredding vocals on the opener, "Flesh Storm," signal the relentless sonic onslaught in store for the listener. Lyrically, too, Slayer is in fine form, exploring in typically dark fashion the pitfalls of religion, orthodoxy, and--with timely references to unrest in the Middle East--the ideology of war. But it's the band's musical chops that impress the most, with radical song structures, angular tempo changes, and blistering guitar solos that prove the legendary band is still a step ahead of their numerous followers.

Spin (p.112) - "[The album] blends the furious muscle of 2001's GOD HATES US ALL with the more melodic experimentation of their post-REIGN work." Uncut (p.97) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "Metal production's tendency towards the crunchy and down-tuned rather suits the stop-start grind of 'Eyes Of The Insane'." Kerrang (Magazine) (p.66) - Ranked #18 in Kerrang's "20 Greatest Albums of 2006" -- "A blistering return to form that many fans hailed as the best Slayer album since the '80s." Mojo (Publisher) (p.112) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "Slayer are operating at full power once again, delivering an album of breathtaking, defiantly old-school thrash..."

When death metal is mentioned, you can't help but automatically think of the genre's originators--Slayer. By merging brutal speed metal and scream-singing with disturbingly dark tales of death, the occult, and serial killers, the California quartet hatched a zillion copycat bands after its formation in 1982. Despite accusations of Nazism and instigating violence, the band continues to play, and outrage, into the 21st century.

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