Slayer-World Painted Blood

American

2009


So what was the top album by a veteren act that I was looking forward to most in 2009? Heaven and Hell? If I was then I was let down by the end product. Megadeth? Actually I still have not gotten around to hearing that one yet. KISS? Oh, please. Slayer's new one was definitely one of my most anticpated releases of this year. Aside than 1990's rather dull "Seasons in the abyss" Slayer have a rather impressive run of solid albums. Although I think all of the more recent releases have been good rather great and to find their last truly spectacular album you would have to go all the way back to "South of Heaven" in 1988. By this point we know what to expect from Slayer which is largely straight ahead pounding at your skull. True to form, "World painted blood" provides much in the way of straight shooting thrash. In fact they spend a great deal of time concentration on a slightly stripped down approach that has sounding more chaotic than they have in some time. The guitars are unrelenting, the rhythm section is thick and chunky with Lombardo's drums constantly coming across like three guys playing as one. Now I did think that Tom Araya's voice has a little edge over the years as there is a certain dry quality in his growl that hasn't been there. That's just age though because all things considered he still sounds great. The main aspect of this album that struck me as different is that the band attacks first and slows down, but still they driving yet they bring just a few melodies here and there. Now to you diehard, old school Slayer fans don't faint over this because it works. It's down in a subtle manner and it's slight in the whole scheme of things, but these parts add a depth that's been missing from the past few albums. If those parts were not there then "World painted blood" would sound a lot more like just a combination of past ideas. Instead it's sounds like classic Slayer taken to a different level. Not a level that is far from where they have been for years, but they are definitely building and moving forward. That's what sets Slayer apart from many other long running thrash bands the fact that they don't just chew up what they putting out years ago, but instead they find tiny ways to keep the machine going without upsetting the great work they have already created. I am sure this is a great album, but it definitely comes to that level than any other effort they have done in some time. So turn it up and prepare to have your blood boil and your head ripped off.