•
Rating: The tough and raw old-style heavy metal returns. Eleventh studio album for the Slayer and a return to the sounds and themes that made the Los Angeles group famous. The album is a sonic assault that begins with the very first song, the one that gives the album its title and completes the process of returning to the roots established with the three works, including this one, released in this decade. Completely abandoning the doom ambitions of "Diabulus in Musica" which, at the end of the '90s, had annoyed longtime fans, Slayer fully returns to the violent and precise thrash of the golden era "Reign in Blood" "South of Heaven". Fast tracks, technically flawless. Performances that have a modern touch but take the listener back to the era of thrash at all costs, whatever it takes.
Eleven tracks of devastating power. It's hard to mention just one title, the album is a beautiful monolith of power. "Snuff", "Public Display Of Dismemberment", "Psychopathy Red", which was also the only known song, released for streaming a few months ago.
A separate chapter deserves the curious artwork of the CD. There are 4 possible covers, four parts of the world map drawn with blood and bones. By opening the booklet and unfolding it completely, one can appreciate the drawing. Otherwise, only a part remains visible, covered by a piece of transparent red plastic which gives the whole thing an even darker appearance. In true Slayer style, nothing to say.
The sticker on the cover warns that the contents are explicit: violence, politics, and sex.
Tracklist and Videos
Loading comments slowly
Other reviews
By olifs89
An album not absolutely necessary.
On an album with eleven tracks, five or six are salvageable—a clear sign the band is nearing retirement.
By lanardistkrieg
Slayer has never known compromises.
The album starts very well; the opening track is immediately engaging, flowing riff after riff while Tom Araya screams horrifying and apocalyptic verses.
By Francis Araya
This isn’t about a thrash band needing a raw, unpolished sound, but this production seriously undermines what could perhaps have been a half-decent album.
Even the production seems like that of a debut demo: ARE YOU KIDDING WHEN YOU SAY THIS ALBUM’S PRODUCTION IS GREAT OR HAS AN EPIDEMIC OF STUPIDITY SWEPT OVER HUMANITY?
By March Horses
This latest (hopefully not final) LP in the history of the L.A. Ripper is a major event.
Songs remind us why this band is remembered: to strike the instinctive chords of the listener.
By massimosh
Not a masterpiece, like the pre-2000 albums, but a good work.
Dave Lombardo remains a monster on the drums.
