Slayer- Christ Illusion

Artist: Slayer
Album: Christ Illusion
Label: Def American Recordings

You know, every time I hear that Slayer is releasing a new album I get excited hoping that they’ll return to the old Slayer before they went into slower territories and abandoned most of their thrash metal roots. On “Christ Illusion”, the always excellent Dave Lombardo returns and I think it was a good decision. He couldn’t save the album but his drumming as always is spot on and blistering. Some of the songs on this album sound reminiscent of “Diabolus in Musica” era Slayer but I never cared much for that album. Hindered by lack of aggression and Kerry King’s cheesy lyrics that he’s well known for, “Christ Illusion” is only a slightly better album than many of their later releases.

The sad thing about this is that the band that gave us “Haunting the Chapel”, “Show No Mercy”, “Hell Awaits”, and “Reign In Blood” can’t seem to touch those albums anymore. Even the faster parts aren’t as fast or as aggressive as any of those classic albums. Some say age is a factor which I think is a bullshit excuse. There are many bands (Nunslaughter, Sathanas, Master, Deceased, etc) that are almost as old as if not the same age as Slayer that haven’t changed in the least. Of course none of those bands would tour with Marilyn Manson. I’m going to go listen to “Show No Mercy” now and remember when a new Slayer album meant something. Slayer has let me down again…