| After more than 23 years, it's somehow refreshing to know that age hasn't blunted Slayer's aggression. Christ Illusion, their ninth album, sounds just as aggressive as their 1980s masterpieces Reign in Blood and Seasons in the Abyss - just listen to Tom Araya's rage-filled anti-religious tirade on "Cult", for example. A lot of it is probably down to the return of their original drummer, Dave Lombardo, who's back after a 15 year absence. As a result, the (grand)fathers of death metal sound reinvigorated on tracks like "Flesh Storm" and the powerful headbanger "Skeleton Christ" (this album's highlight). Best of all, Slayer make no attempts to hang themselves on to any new sound - Christ Illusion sounds like nothing other than a great Slayer album, with chugging buzzsaw guitars and blistering guitar solos, as well as a knack for pulling decent songs out of all this noise and vitriol. It's a real return to form for Slayer, one that will both please their old fans and win over legions of new ones. This, kids, is how heavy metal should sound. --Ted Kord |
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