In the past few years, heavy metal’s old guard has returned to their roots. After years of awkwardly adopting elements of nu-metal and alternative rock, many of the genre’s biggest names have embraced their past. Slayer never veered too far from their original sound, but when they reunited with original drummer Dave Lombardo in 2004, the spark was back.
Most thrash bands are guitar driven. The tandem riffing of the guitarists provide the basic structure of the music. Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman are a very formidable duo, but Dave Lombardo is what makes Slayer sound like Slayer. Before the guitars start to rain blood, there is the pounding bass drum, ominously predicting the storm.
World Painted Blood begins with that familiar sense of foreboding. Before you hear anything else, you hear six slow military fills. Lombardo repeats the fill several times, the volume increasing. Once Hanneman and King come in, it’s all about the speed. A quarter century into their career, Slayer is still fast. Lombardo’s double kick drum is the catalyst, pushing the tempo as far as it can go. Hanneman and King’s guitars become rhythmic instruments because they have to keep up with Lombardo. They do an admirable job, especially on “Snuff.” Hanneman solos at a Malmsteen level of dexterity, hitting as many notes as he can.
The duo of Hanneman and King are one of Slayer’s biggest assets, but also a minor handicap. Their tandem riffing gives Slayer its menacing sound, but at the expense of the melody. Slayer is all aggression, which is great in small doses. After a while, it all starts to run together. If Hanneman or King broke out of the box slightly, it would not only change things up, it would also give the listener a needed breather.
Lead singer Tom Araya still screams about the usual subjects: Blood, war, hypocrisy. His voice has held up well, and there are a few satisfying screams throughout. When he screams the word “blood,” he manages to convey both anger and joy. Underneath the veneer of righteous indignation, there is a 14-year old boy who gets a thrill out of that word. It’s a Catholic thing.
The production on World Painted Blood is odd, but appropriate. Lombardo’s drums and Araya’s vocals are right up front, and the guitars are pushed to the back. Unfortunately, Araya’s bass gets mixed with the guitars, so it’s a bit hard to hear. Thrash metal is not known for great production techniques.
It’s hard to listen to World Painted Blood without comparing it to Slayer’s 1986 masterpiece, Reign in Blood. They share some similarities, but it doesn’t really feel like a true sequel. World Painted Blood doesn’t try to innovate, and it shouldn’t. If you are going to buy a Slayer record, you come in with certain expectations. World Painted Blood fulfills most of them. If you don’t care for Slayer, World Painted Blood won’t bring you into the fold. It’s a good latter-day effort from a veteran thrash band.