Slayer-Repentless (2015)

Slayer-Repentless (2015)

"From the heaviest of the heavy to classical to country, that's what I listen to, I listen to a variety and I enjoy good music, good songs."

Tom Araya

By: Ghost Writer

I wrote in a previous post that Slayer was music for bodybuilders (or serial killer, perhaps…), its violent and adrenaline filled, over the top and overdriven, full of testosterone, and that's the first impression I get from the first listening to this awesome Repentless, Slayer's new record, one might fear that the absence of two key members, Dave Lombardo and Jeff Hanneman might badly hurt the band, well fear not because after the Melvinsesque first track, Delusions of Saviour, all doubts begin to dissolve, as the title track, which reminds me a Metallica riff at first, thrown latter at full speed with a hardcore beat, that transform fully into something inspired by the mighty Reign in Blood.

A great and brave showing in this record comes from Paul Bostaph. Dave Lombardo's replacement, and who is given full confidence in the recording as his drums are mixed upfront and are a big part of Slayer level displayed here on outstanding tracks like Take Control and Vices, the first one a really speed one and the former a more groovier one, one remarkable thing here is Slayer not aiming to create a new Reign in Blood, but like in Seasons in the Abyss, the goal is to achieve a sound combining Reign's intensity and South of Heaven density.

Cast the First Stone is a perfect piece to serve as showcase for Bostaph talent and also if Gary Holt, Exodus guitarist and Hanneman touring replacement, in the recording Holt takes full control of Hanneman seat and proves to be a perfect match for the deceased great guitarist, as Holt morbid vibrant guitars add new colors to Slayer's palette, becoming a great pairing for Kerry Kings's legendary anarchic soloing, and well I we all know that Tom Araya is our Elvis, he gets totally protagonist on When the Stillness Comes, a tune that gives space to Araya's venomous vocals and devastating chugging bass, and proving himself once again in the catchy Chasing Death.

The battle of Slayer to keep up with the times is tangible in Implode in which the bands sounds brutal but at the same time a little bit forced to keep up with a hardcore beat, with Holt perfectly taking his place in the mix and King providing enough fuel to set the whole take on fire, while Piano Wire, another outstanding piece let guitars breath and Araya cone again high in the mix, although the whole tune gets a little messy, although Slayer was never about pure precision.

Repentless is in the end a great recording by a now classic band, long times fans will be totally pleased with the continuation this band has managed to build, for new ears, there's also a lot of power to be astonished by, Slayer is still capable of startling and of taking us all by surprise, by adding innovation even in small doses, to an unbrekable machine, Slayer gets well with the times and holds on tight to their brutal metal crown.

Again, Motorhead, Iron Maiden and Slayer records within the same 60 dyas, we are livein heavy metal glory days for sure!