For Week Ending:
15 July 2023

Slayer - World Painted Blood (2009)

[Thrash Metal]

'World Painted Blood' had something of a messy birth, and it reflects throughout the album. The band admitted they weren't prepared to record (and even wrote in the studio), and they parted ways with long term producer Rick Rubin soon after. The proceedings start off with a slow burn in the same way 'South Of Heaven' did 20+ years earlier, and builds into some massive riffs. 'Hate Worldwide' and 'Psychopathy Red' are classic vintage Slayer, whilst other tracks such as 'Human Strain' and 'Americon' sound more like the band we heard in the late 90s. If any complaints can be made about the album it is mostly in the production. The guitar tones are thin, and rubber band like in places instead of the thick rich wall of guitar Slayer is known for, leaving the album feeling somewhat underdeveloped at times. The drum sound luckily carries the album, and this was the last album to feature the recently returned Dave Lombardo. Also worth noting, it was the last album to feature guitarist Jeff Hanneman before his death in 2013. 'World Painted Blood' is far from being a Slayer masterpiece, but it does have personality and charm to boot, and this tends to carry it through the patches of mediocrity it occasionally touches on. All in all it is a great listen, but just not a 'Reign In Blood' for the new millennium that reunion album 'Christ Illusion' from 3 years earlier hinted it was capable of possibly aiming for.

Arist Information
Slayer was an American thrash metal band formed in 1981 by guitarists Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman, drummer Dave Lombardo and bassist/vocalist Tom Araya. Slayer's fast and aggressive musical style made them one of the "big four" bands of thrash metal, alongside Metallica, Megadeth, and Anthrax. Slayer's final lineup consisted of King, Araya, drummer Paul Bostaph and guitarist Gary Holt, who initially joined as a touring member in 2011 before joining the band permanently after Hanneman's death in 2013. Drummer Jon Dette was also a member of the band. Slayer sold over 5 million albums in the United States, and over 20 million worldwide.

Tool - Undertow (1993)

[Alternative Rock]

I won't dwell on the metal/alt music scene of the early 90's. You've all had the history lesson. During this time it was a challenge for non-alt/grunge music to stand out. I introduce to you Tool from LA., who with little fan-fare and a small following put together an E.P. in 1992 and fast tracked to their first full length, Undertow, a year later. Again, in the myriad of other music filling the scene and such genre's as thrash metal being challenged, a young Maynard J Keenan and his band very much kept metal music relevant. In a different way however with a very dark, moody approach. The majority of the songs having a large focus on the back-stop of the band. In particular Paul and his bass work introducing a number of tracks, backed by Dana and his complex drum work. Married with Maynard's desperate-like vocals and you have a heck of a first release. Two years later, their sophomore release Anima would elevate the band even higher in popularity and again keep that metal flame alive. Indulge me some lyrics. brilliant! "I am a worthless liar / I am just an imbecile / I will only complicate you / Trust in me and fall as well / I will find a centre in you / I will chew it up and leave / I will work to elevate you / Just enough to bring you down"