Some things just aren’t meant to change, which isn’t always a bad thing, as in the of Slayer’s 666th studio release (actually, it’s their 9th), God Hates Us All. We’ve come to expect little as far as change goes for these elder statesmen of heavy metal, but the pure thrash and evil that is forever present is enough to make us happy. Produced by Rick Rubin, the album is chock full of relentless dual axe work and pinpoint drumming. The solos are significantly fewer in number, but that means more groove! Lead singer Tom Araya seems to lose more and more each record, as his vocals chords have got to be shot after 20 years of yelling in the manner that he does. But as much as their 2001 vision is stale, it is also what we know to be the behemoth that is Slayer. There are no gimmicks, they won’t rap or sample, and they don’t stray from their format. If you’ve been a Slayer fan at any point in their existence, you’ll be able to sit down, pop in God Hates Us All, and say “Yep, that is Slayer alright, in all their bloodthirsty glory.”
“Darkness of Christ” and “Disciple” kick off the mayhem in typical kick-your-teeth-in Slayer fashion, but it’s the three songs in the middle of the album, “Exile”, “Seven Faces” and “Bloodline” that really seem to stand out amidst the barrage of thrashing. They’re mid-tempo, Seasons in the Abyss-style Slayer. Crushing grooves and eerie vocals channel the ambience that only slow and dark Slayer tunes can provide. As much as “Reign in Blood” or “War Ensemble” offer power, it’s in their slower tracks that we can find out how intense they can and always will be.
All BS aside, this album is pure metal. It’s not about how you look or shoot your video; it’s about being in tune with your music. Slayer has never lost that, and even though they will never break through to the mainstream, that’s their point. Fuck normalcy, and in that one can find honesty…no matter how brutal it can be.
+ rick hinkson
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.