Slayer - God Hates Us All (American Recordings/2001)
After closely analyzing this 13 track release (the bonus CD includes
15)
"God Hates Us All" I'd go so far in saying that this is their best
output
since "Reign In Blood" or "Seasons In The Abyss". 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 interview Jeff Hanneman quotes "then we got our #### together,
went up
to Vancouver and made a record"
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_Hates_Us_All). The opening track is
more
of a segue to the next 12 tracks "Disciple". It being 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 download
"Disciple", "God Send Death" and "New Faith" (tracks 2, 3, and 4) 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!!!
Rate: 9/10.