Slayer
Slayer. Sorry, I mean “SLAYYYEEEERRRRR!!!“. You just don’t say “Slayer“, you shout it until your throat is raw, with your horns raised high. The original setup is as you find it today although there has been a change or two on the way. Nearly 30 years on, these four guys from Southern California prove that age doesn’t matter when it comes to making genre defining music.
Going back to the start of the mayhem, ‘Show No Mercy‘was their first album back in 1983, which they financed themselves, showing clearly you don’t need tens of millions to produce kick-ass metal. It was during this time that Kerry King joined Megadeth only to come back after five shows. ‘Hell Awaits’ soon followed which was accompanied by their first home video. It was clear now that they had something special in their lockers as musicians.
‘Reign in Blood’ followed in 1986. New album deal, first certified gold sales, produced by Rick Rubin, Lombardo leaving and coming back, plenty of controversy and rave reviews. None of that matters. What matters is the music. Possibly the finest metal record to date. Get it, love it.
Several albums have followed (’South of Heaven’, ‘Seasons in the Abyss’, ‘Divine Intervention’, ‘Undisputed Attitude’, ‘Diabolus in Musica’,’ God Hates Us All’, ‘Christ Illusion’) which bring us to the current record, ‘World Painted Blood’ – still as raw, fast and metal as ever.
Slayer have been churning out raw, passionate music for close to three decades. Controversy has always followed close by but in a world of X-Dancing Talent on Ice, what better way to mix things up with a bit of Slayer? If you like metal, quality lyrics and music, you love Slayer. You shouldn’t like this band, you should love them. ‘Reign in Blood’ for Xmas Number 1, 2010 perhaps?
They play fast, they play loud. They wield their instruments with organised chaos that rival the best of the best. Their lyrics will change your thinking and view on life. They’ve won awards. They’ve influenced the greatest artists around today.
What else is there to say? Fuckin’ Slayer!!!
Band:
Tom Araya (Bass, Vocals)
Jeff Hanneman (Guitar)
Kerry King (Guitar)
Dave Lombardo (Drums)
Must-have Album:
It’s hard not to pick ‘Reign in Blood’. Short, fast, passionate metal. 30 minutes of headbanging later, you won’t know what hit you. I could go on about the recording, production or lyrics but there’s no need. This album is metal. Get it.
Song we hope they play at Sonisphere: ‘Angel of Death’. Why? No amount of glances through a thesaurus can put into words why I hope they play. Simple reason is that we need it.
By Janusz Jasinski
Watch this!
Slayer ‘Angel of Death’
Official Site:
www.slayer.net
