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The Times & The Sunday Times
The Times & The Sunday Times
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Slayer

The Times
The Times

Christ Illusion

(American/Warner)

Once vilified as the Devil’s music, heavy metal lost any remaining outlaw credibility long before gangsta rap and global terrorism stole the limelight. But god bless the thrash veterans Slayer for still trying to sound provocative and dangerous on their ninth studio album.

Returning to the original line-up responsible for highly regarded landmark albums such as Reign in Blood, the California quartet originally planned to release Christ Illusion on June 6 for extra Satanic resonance. Alas, technical delays intervened.

Slathered with ferociously ugly chainsaw guitar solos, their signature punk-metal racket still impresses on a hyper-aggressive horror movie level. One track, Jihad, inhabits the fevered mind of a suicide bomber. Will it attract tabloid outrage like Fun-Da-Mental’s new album? Of course not. Because behind these apocalyptic death fantasies, Slayer remain as cosy and safe as an old pair of slippers. Long may they reign in Hell.

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STEPHEN DALTON