Slayer always feels the need to forge ahead. Despite multiple announcements of the band’s conclusion over the last few years, they keep finding ways to squeeze their fruits dry. After loosing founding guitarist Jeff Hanneman back in May of 2013 to liver complications, it didn’t seem likely that they could continue. Then when legendary founding drummer Dave Lomardo left the fold it was without a shadow of a doubt that Tom Araya and Kerry King would throw in the towel. But they wouldn’t make the final decision to put Slayer to rest before recruiting local Bay Area talent, Gary Holt of Exodus, as well as previous fill-in drummer Paul Bastoff. Now, after headlining their own tours and playing a handful of festival dates, Slayer are set to release their 11th studio full length with this lineup, entitled Repentless, our September 11th via Nuclear Blast. The title track, which can be found on various blogs and media publications, sounds like the middle era; Divine Intervention, God Hates Us All, etc… It has the attitude and production like those early 90’s records. Despite my own opinions on the output of a Hanneman-less and Lomardo-less Slayer, “Repentless” sounds like the Slayer of 2015 should sound. A little predictable but Slayer for the sake of it! You can make up your own mind though.
In the meantime, here’s a list of classic Slayer cuts to measure the new material up to.
“Die by the Sword”
This is up there with the toughest of Slayer cuts. Every single groove from the initial hook to the breakdown has been stolen and expanded upon by other legendary bands. All Hanneman and Lombardo I presume…
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“Fight Till Death”
Following up the last track on the 1983 debut Show No Mercy is this gem. Straightforward street metal through and through. I chose this cut because of how much of a punk attitude it has. I also saw a seriously pummeling cover of it performed by Norwegian black thrash attackers Aura Noir not too long ago.
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“Chemical Warfare”
A great way to set the tone for its follow up, Hell Awaits, this cut is the forefront of the Haunting the Chapel EP. The riffs and beats still have a straightforward street vibe but the whole 6ish minutes is of unrelenting speed, and the intricacies are starting to surface!
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“Hell Awaits”
The intro to the second full length. This is where you felt the party metal was over and Slayer was defining what was their genre, or at least getting more serious about it than anyone had in 1985. They still open with this one pretty often, and it still scares the shit out of people.
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“Angel of Death”
Few would argue that “Angel of Death” is a pivotal moment in metal. Anything and everything about it and the rest of the album was light years ahead. The music was more complex but catchy; fatter grooves and deeper riffs and leads. The production did the material perfect justice. The lyrical content was way heavier and more controversial. This was the beginning of the peak.
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“Altar of Sacrifice”/”Jesus Saves”/”Criminally Insane”
These 3 in succession are a mark of pure chaotic cohesion. Grade A songwriting, without one riff more memorable than another. The drumming shifts seamlessly from upbeat to downbeat, featuring a style which allows for the speed to dip to mid-paced tempos without being realized as mid-paced. Looking at the 3 songs as one, you MUST go back and listen to them as one in order to pay attention to where the dramatic dives are. Artful songwriting with a multiplicity of riffs and their variants, these 3 cuts point out genius intent in a brutishly perceived style of music. What could come next?
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“Post Mortem”
More speed, more clever grooving. It’s a little easier to follow for the first half, due to the catchy hook – the total Hanneman groove. He has a touch, a way of moving around the beat that thickens up this angular feel. Then by the time it speeds up you’re stuck in the chaos and you know where it’s going next!
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“War Ensemble”
It’s too bad Araya’s voice sounds so lazy on South of Heaven because most of the music is great. It’s slowed compared to the preceding two, but his vox make the most unholy thrash band sound like the Offspring. The next and 5th full length Seasons of the Abyss is barely comparable to consistent greatness of the first 3, but the first track is untouchable. “War Ensemble” showcases everything you want Slayer to do. It’s purely aggressive and the driving riffs are only complimented by a heavy ride cymbal presence and some fills that’ll throw you right off. The middle section breakdown is a very Celtic Frost-y half time shuffle. They then take you back to the original verse, so they can sensibly wrap things up. The last Slayer song I became obsessed with…
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And just in case, you can check out “Repentless” right here:
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Fuck Yeah!
Want more filthy musings from the Deviant? Check out previous installments HERE!
