Here it is, the new Slayer. Let`s be straight forward right away: this album is killer! If you`re still able to write such incredible songs like openingtrack "Disciple" after almost 20 years, then you`re really something else. This composition kicks ass the one and only Slayer way. There`s just no band alike to create such a sinister and aggressive atmosphere, playing the most tight riffs combined with the furious-as-ever vocals from Tom Araya. In general, the songwriting from Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman has been stripped down to the essentials, trimming the fat and keeping the fury. Listen to mid-tempo `in your face` tracks like "New Faith", "Seven Faces", "Exile" or the extremely fast "Payback" (aaahhh, heavy!!) & "War Zone" and you`ll hear what is meant here. The `in your face` atmosphere is very much there throughout the entire album.

You just can`t escape it while listening to this record. This feeling also goes for the extreme and `anti-almost everything, especially blindly followed religions` lyrics on "God Hates Us All". By the way, King and Hanneman toyed with new guitar tunings on the record, taking the plunge down to Drop B a couple of times and hauling out a seven-string axe for the first time in Slayer history. Paul Bostaph, timekeeper for almost half of Slayer`s career, again proves to be one of the finest drummers in the thrash scene. Let other bands break-up, try to `find their sound` or record albums with symphonies. In the fickle, ever-changing world of music, Slayer remains a sure thing. Can`t wait to see them live on stage at the upcoming Tattoo The Planet festival!