Slayer — Christ Illusion

When the guys in Slayer get into the studio, they do so with the intention of making a Slayer record, which is exactly what fans want. If you're expecting even the slightest departure in the band's sound, you simply don't understand Slayer. What fans do expect, however, and have been waiting for patiently, is a return to the glory days of albums like South Of Heaven and what many consider the last great Slayer record, Seasons In The Abyss. That was the last record that featured original drummer Dave Lombardo behind the kit, so it's hardly a coincidence that his return marks Slayer's return to form. It's obvious from the beginning of Christ Illusion that Lombardo's blatant assault and battery style is much more suited to the Slayer sound than Paul Bostaph's more technical approach. Opener "Flesh Storm" has that feel of Slayer circa 1990. The group have always pushed the envelope lyrically without really forcing or even revealing their true beliefs. So it's kind of weird to hear a song like "Skeleton Christ," which comes across kind of preachy. Regardless, this is hands down the best Slayer record in more than a decade.