In the book of Heavy Metal, the definition of powerful Thrash Metal is simply listed against one word – SLAYER. The band recently released “Christ Illusion” and were showing that time had not slowed them down at all. Hot off their “Unholy Alliance” tour with some other notable bands, the group embarked on a smaller venue tour with Unearth and we were there to bring you the scoop. It was a bitter cold night in NYC and I was running a high fever (which I realized when I arrived home) but that didn’t stop me from doing my appointed duties. To learn more about this event just scroll past the logo.
Artist: Slayer Venue: Hammerstein Ballroom (New York, NY) Opener: Unearth Date: 2/15/2007 Label: American Recordings
The world of Metal is right with itself when it finds the mighty Slayer headlining a concert at a sold out venue in New York, well at least in my opinion it does. I come to this conclusion because not only are they performing for the hard core devoted but also with drummer Dave Lombardo back and officially a member of the band once again. He had toured with them when it was needed and remained to record their new album until he finally decided to become part of the roster once again. Like I said, all is right in the Metal world. The setting this time around would be interesting for as every Metal fan knows, the Slayer guys have been a consistent touring force over the past few years. Whether it is Jaegermeister Music Tours or Unholy Alliances, we would continue to find out why they dominated the growing Thrash Metal scene back in the day and still can hold true to the genre without any symphonic, acoustic or solo albums being recorded. As far as their shows goes there are very few Metal heads that will disagree with you when you say that there is no better show to attend that can just allow you the opportunity to release all your stresses and tensions on the floor of the crushing mosh pit. This was the feeling I had as I ventured to New York City’s Hammerstein Ballroom to see the mighty ones rip through a set of their classics along with some tracks from their newest release “Christ Illusion”. Continue reading Slayer @ Hammerstein Ballroom (2/15/2007)→
Artist: Slayer Title: “Christ Illusion” Label: Def American Records Release Date: 8/8/2006 Genre: Heavy Metal Rating: 4/5
In 1982 Slayer formed and became one of the founders of the Thrash Metal movement. During this time bands like Metallica, and Anthrax were instrumental in taking music influenced by the NWOBHM that had begun across the pond to the next level. While the UK’s Venom is often cited as kicking off a particular Satanic style, it was not until Slayer arrived that this vibe for Metal achieved a true relentless and aggressive nature that was to be respected as well as feared. “Christ Illusion” is the first album by the band in five years and it continues to demonstrate the reason for Slayers dominance over the Metal legions. The album, produced by Rick Rubin would also see the reuniting of the group with original drummer Dave Lombardo who had not recorded with them in fifteen years. Lombardo “returned” several years ago to tour and lucky for Slayer fans everywhere he remained in place. As you listen to the new recordings it brings back a feeling of the Slayer of old. There are more similarities to their classic “Reign In Blood” than to “God Hates Us All” and while the record delivers on several fronts, the band is not breaking any new ground for the listener. I need to stress that for Slayer there is no longer any reason to do this after such a lengthy and prosperous Metal existence. Slayer does what Slayer does best and every track on the album is a skull-splitter. The subject matter and lyrical content of “Christ Illusion” are very incendiary, but that is what you can expect from Slayer when you choose to put them on. The band is not out to provoke you, yet instead aims to make you think about the way certain aspects of the belief structure are approached. Kerry King has long spoken of his distrust in organized Religion and with songs like “Cult” and “Skeleton Christ”, he lays down how he feels about this stuff in the strongest possible fashion. Lyrically, this is some pretty intense stuff and it might cause some fervor among the Religious Right if they get their hands on the booklet for the album. There is also the song “Jihad” which while written from the mindset of a terrorist is by no means an admiration of this kind of life or a “Pro 9-11” belief. Hanneman and Araya did a solid job with it but of course there are always going to be people who don’t like finding the events of that tragic day put to any sort of music. It does fit in the framework of the album which focuses on a lot of religious dogma, and its effect on people’s way of thinking. Lyrics are included in the booklet as noted above and the cover depicts a Christ-like figure wallowing amidst waste and looking very defeated. The graphic imagery is only half as graphic as the lyrical content you will find within. Continue reading “Christ Illusion” by Slayer→
Artist: Slayer Venue: Continental Airlines Arena (East Rutherford, NJ) Opener: Lamb Of God, Children Of Bodom, Mastodon, Thine Eyes Bleed Date: 6/16/2006 Label: Def American Recordings
The show was billed as “The Unholy Alliance” tour and I cannot think of a better description especially for a tour that take the most exciting Metal bands of today and partners them up as openers for the one and only Slayer. The show in my area would be at The Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford NJ, and tonight it was labeled as the “theatre”. When they do this, areas of the venue are cordoned off by large black curtains. These drapes make the venue just a little more intimate. I first experienced this during the last Slipknot tour and was amazed at this aspect of the place with this setting being used.
Thine Eyes Bleed: Sadly, I missed their entire set and the result of this would be the very early start time for the show. When you have five bands performing this is the risk you take and a venue is under different restrictions from a nightclub so that was that. I did hear a couple of good things about them from surrounding people who rushed in to the place to get the best spot for the night and I will be looking into their CD as soon as I can get my hands on one. Continue reading Slayer @ Continental Airlines Arena (6/16/2006): “Unholy Alliance Tour”→
As far as concerts go, it would seem that if you were a heavy metal music fan and chose to miss these years Ozzfest for any reason that you were doing yourself a great injustice. This years Ozzfest would prove to be the one with perhaps the best lineup of all time for when it was at the planning stages it seemed as though each act was getting better and better upon the announcement. The Main Stage bands listed were Black Label Society, Superjoint Ritual, Dimmu Borgir, Slayer, Judas Priest and Black Sabbath. The second stage bands were also very good this time around, mixing some new and some staple acts. Among this list were Slipknot, Hatebreed, Lamb of God and Lacuna Coil and Otep. Continue reading Ozzy Osbourne’s “Ozzfest” @ Jones Beach Theater (7/14/2004)→
Artist: Slayer Venue: Roseland Ballroom (New York, NY) Opener: Hatebreed, Arch Enemy, Drykill Logic Date: 10/18/2003 Label: American Records
An Evening In Hell: The Jagermeister Music Tour
This by far was the earliest show I have ever attended. A quick call to the club made me find out that it was going to be “doors open” at 6:45pm, and first band on at 6:55pm. I’ve got to admit that this factor made it really difficult to enjoy the pre-show beer or three. I was still waiting on the entrance line when 6:55 hit and I heard the rumbling sound of what I thought was the Arch Enemy set. I got pissed since I had wanted to see them as much as seeing Slayer once again. Continue reading Slayer @ Roseland Ballroom (10/18/2003)→
