Slayer - World Painted Blood |
Published November 06 2009
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World Painted Blood |
| Genre | Thrash Metal |
Tom Araya
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Vocals
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| Tracks | 11 |
Jeff Hanneman
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Guitar
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| Runningtime | 40 Min. |
Kerry King
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Guitar
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| Label | American Recordings |
Tom Araya
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Bass
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| Release | 03 November 2009 |
Dave Lombardo
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Drums
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| Country | USA |
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Keyboard
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| Similar artists | --- | ||
The mealy blade of Autumn is in full swing and the nuclear blast of winter is banging down our door. I am still patiently waiting to experience the "Album Of The Year"! In this century of media hype, time is running out! Although, after hearing the entire new Impaler recording live, that might just be it! I guess that I will have to wait another month before 'Cryptozoology' arrives, to be sure.
I had high hopes for new Sacred Steel, Metalforce, Sacrifice, Whiplash, and countless others, to no avail. The mortal blasphemy of the new Sacred Steel seems so over influenced by Mercyful Fate that they are quoting their lyrics directly, just to show how evil they are. Enough already! There is more to metal than image and attitude! Why all this veneer for public display of disenchantment!
I have been chomping at the bit, waiting to hear the new Slayer, after the two previously released singles so whetted my appetite, and gave me such a pleasant earache. Sadly, all the buzz is in vain, and the new album is not worth all the hype, nor the ridiculous price for the special edition, with the blood covered maps, and all that other bullshit packaging! Talk to Spinal Tap if you want a lesson in marketing! The TSO - 'Night Castle', last week was super sweet with the full colour thick booklet, and it was only $7.99 at Best Buy with two discs!
I have read psyched, sympathetic reviews, and many scholarly accounts for 'World Painted Blood', and my conclusion, is that this is a step back for the thrash American icons. Honestly there is nothing new, innovative, or memorable here to make this a thrash classic.
I am sick of all the praise for new Megadeth, as that is also just more of the same. Nothing compares to what Metallica achieved last fall with 'Death Magnetic'. I am still patiently awaiting to see want Anthrax churn out, in the coming months, if they want to continue to spread the disease, among their living dedicated fans. Only time will tell, but the thrash revolution is quickly becoming stolid and foppish! Only the true icons prevail, like with Destruction's new 25th Anniversary Live CD - 'The Curse Of The Antichrist - Live In Agony'.
Slayer's unguarded instinct clearly demonstrates their utter contempt for a passive strain in society, and their bellicose loathing for the human disease that is rife with greed and moral corruption. This explains why they they want to spread a little hatred worldwide!
Lyrically, some of the songs attain this edge, but they are a far cry from the honest heartfelt apostasy that is the 'Evangelion' of Behemoth. This is by far the best effort by Nergal and his minions.
I also want to comment and limn over the choice of album artwork. My thoughts may come across as inverted, or just appear as a plane rood, but what is with the maps and legends of Christ delusion, and the new world depictions, after the so-called apocalypse? Is this some final sick joke?
The gem in idolizing Slayer as an an entity of deleterious inspiration is to be found in the vice tightening iron grip of the ever gifted Dave Lombardo. Seasoned veteran - Mr. King - still writes some killer licks, but Kerry, less and less is creating new variations of those raucous solos, and abysmally his trademark, tried and true "King Thy Name Is Slayer" is running fast out of artillery.
Slayer still cries out for more 'Divine Intervention'. The ghost of warlike inspiration - the handy Jeff - manages to continue to breed more hate word wise, along with the sadistic intent of fellow bass sick Tom. In tandem, King and Hanneman manipulate the mindless slaves and skeletons of society, who are forever enslaved to their dedicated aggression and guitar aerobics. Tom Araya' is back to his invective narration, and not so silent screams of vicious vituperation.
The opening eschatological title track is in the vein of "Flesh Storm", and perhaps "Hell Awaits". The chemical warfare themes of "Unit 731" provide a history lessen ying-yang for the Imperial Japanese Army who undertook lethal human experimentation. "SS-3" comes to mind, controlling the carnage.
"Snuff" begins with a binding solo and continues to shred emmanuelle to tatters, despite its controversial strong sexual content. I am surprised they have not written a song like this before; but given what puerile imagery can easily be viewed on the internet, a song like this is quite relevant, erotic, and disturbing. I congratulate Slayer for writing at least one song that is pure and vital.
The Sex, Murder, Art" formula of "Beauty Through
Order" is a soothing pentimento, with a penetrating lyric which
send shivers down your spine, "Heated iron bar I will insert inside
your cunt"....Ouch!
The politics of "Public Display Of Dismemberment" cattily
evoke King's continued social unrest. "Americon" is a ripping
anti-war anthem, which shows no mercy to our government, reigning and
bludgeoning with the classic Slayer undisputed attitude.
I find it interesting that 'World Painted Blood' came out Tuesday November 3rd, here in the US. This is election day, only a year after we selected our first black president. They always seems to aim their album releases towards some level of controversy. Remember how 'God Hates Us All' was originally intended for September 11th, and 'Christ Illusion' for June 6, 2006?
The most modern cut can be found in "Human Strain", which is way too much like the 'Diabolos De Musica' style; one which I am not particularly fond of, given their lengthy seasons in the abyss. Hanneman, King, and Araya all contributed lyrics to "Playing With Dolls", but the song is dull, and the guitar playing is less than impressive. The album ends with the dreaded "Not Of This God", another truculent jingoistic anti-Christian descry from the ever pissed crepehanger Kerry King.
We get it, you hate God! You are a godless heretic, not a god-fearing lunatic. I detect a slight down-tuned Down style "(Empty) Tankard" riff in the bridge, followed by more sheer blasphemy, and a bravura of guitar histrionics and slick pick tricks.
This is Slayer, so it is what it is, and it is thrash with reputed attitude. I was however, hoping for more, as I did really enjoy 'Christ Illusion'. The music is not of this goddamn world, and Slayer deserve the utmost respect for conquering the world for almost three decades, still reigning in blood!
See
also review of: Repentless
, Christ
Illusion , Still
Reigning
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Performance
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Originality
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Production
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Vocals
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Songwriting
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6 |
8 |
7 |
6 |
6 |
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Summary
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6,5 chalices of 10 - Michael the MettleAngel |
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