Thrash metal giants Slayer released their latest studio album, 'God Hates Us All', back in 2001. Thrash metal was what the band did, but don't do it here. On this platter, Slayer continued to jumping on bandwagon called "mallcore", or whatever that stupid Yankee jump-shout-wank music is. Why did they do that? Maybe to get new fans. And money.

There is no other reason to put out music like this, but money. This style the band have trampled on a couple of albums is just boring. Shouty vocals and loads of cursing on 'Exile', for example, to get that "parental advisory - explicit lyrics" sticker on the cover, simple "punky" riffing and alternative guitar "playing" (= shitty, muddy effects), and rhythm section lifted forth makes this sound like old Slayer riffs mixed with mallcore stuff. Kerry King's soloing is just what you'd expect from him, you like it or you do not like it. The music is truly boring for the most of time, only first 2 and a half minutes of 'Disciple' hit me somehow, even though the brutal truth of nowadays' (well, hopefully not, as the new album's coming this summer) style of Slayer is already present. But wait the song's last 45 seconds; the brutal truth starts fully from that point of the record. Paul Bostaph's drumming must be applauded. Simply, fantastic skinsbashing.

Tom Araya spits words with wrath, but lyrics like "give me a reason not to rip your fucking face off" and "you're either on my side or else you're in my way" are just so full of teenage anger it kind of turns everything on its head. But maybe it's just the purest form of hate... Mr. Araya sounds familiar and very good at times, but then he does rhythmic "rapping" ('Threshold' is the best example of this abomination) and speaks oh so menacingly, and all those mallcore links are back on the full use again.

While the production is heavy, it misses punch on guitar department. As mentioned, the alternative style is what is in favour here. Definitely it's not metal, and it's not menacing, evil or haunting, what the guitars in Slayer used to be. Drums and bass are loud in the mix. Vocals are partly effected, which fits with the music anyways. Cover art featuring a bloody bible (no pun intended) pierced by nails was evil enough to make the label to cover it with another shop-friendly cover. The lyrics are printed in bible pages, which is a nice idea actually, with some verses of the bible text ruled over with a black marker. And if you still haven't understood; the lyrics are against organized religions.

The nu Slayer just ain't my stuff. It's the stuff for Yankee kids who are so bloody angry. This is just like a remake of some classic horror movie: The original is perfect and really sick, the new one is "teenage" and sick in absolutely wrong way.

Reviewed by Lane
05/09/2006 22:35

After closely analyzing this 13 track release (the Oz and Japanese releases include 15) 'God Hates Us All' I'd go so far in saying that this is their best output since 'Reign in Blood' (1986) or 'Seasons in the Abyss' (1990). The main reason is that it has all of the characteristics in making a great thrash metal record: aggression, anger, heavy/speed filled riffing, hatred spewed lyrics and blaring leads with some wah-pedal enhanced ones as well.

In an HotMetalRadio.com interview Jeff Hanneman quotes "then we got our shit together, went up to Vancouver and made a record". The opening track is more of a segue to the next 12 tracks. 'Disciple' is the blaring of distorted guitar riffs and drums in timing with this a load of aggression. Kerry King wrote 80% of the lyrics and they're not just mindless "Satan this and that" they are yes hate filled but more intriguing to read than older releases because I think it's a portrayal of what kind of society America has become.

With each new track there are definite high points that outweigh the mediocre riffing I'd say there isn't really a track on here that doesn't display talent by these thrash veterans. As this is their 8th studio release Slayer did well on the charts when this was released on September 11, 2001. There was some setbacks that they had to endure part of which was the making of the cover artwork which revealed the slight burning of the Holy Bible.

Lead trade-offs by Hanneman and King (Hanneman is a bit more technical in this department) and Araya screaming these lyrics Slayer comes together to dominate! He (Araya) actually studied about serial killers in writing some of the songs on this release. As I said, the lyrical content is wholly violent but less about Satanism and more about reality. There were some tracks recorded with a 7-string guitar and the rest of the release they're in E-flat (for all of you guitar players out there!).

If you're not convinced by my praise of this release then try 'Disciple', 'God Send Death' and 'New Faith', then you'll know what I'm talking about. The riffs just stick in your head and the drumming was well executed by Paul Bostaph (ex-Forbidden drummer). Bostaph was forced to leave the band because of a chronic left elbow injury so he wasn't able to drum for the rest of the 'God Hates Us All' tour. However, Kerry King gave ex-Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo a ring and he filled in. Now he's back as a permanent drummer for Slayer!

I would hardly call this "metalcore", this is to me a great thrash release by these veterans. They never really abdicated their roots just to please fans. 'God Hates Us All' should be within the top 5 Slayer recordings out of their entire discography! Get it if you haven't already!!!

Rating: 9 (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Death 8699
04/28/2007 19:08