Band Slayer Genre Thrash Metal Release Date August 8, 2006
This is the reunion of the original Slayer lineup and is the first time that they were in the studio together since 1990's Seasons in the Abyss. With drummer Dave Lombardo retaking the drum chair he places the band back on the edge and helps push them to a new level unlike anything they have done before. They have stubbornly refused to sound like anyone but themselves and they continue on this record with the "Slayer Sound". Christ Illusion is a raging record that melds forward thinking metal with hardcore thrash and this is what has made them such a breath of fresh air in the thrash genre. They rip through these ten songs while doing so with lightning changes, off-kilter rhythms, and riff invention, together with plodding crescendos, insane guitar breaks, and dark, unrelentingly twisted-as-**** lyrics that reflect a singular intensity. The main themes on thsi album center on the myth of religion and its responsibility for war.
Now there were three songs that stood out the most, "Eyes of the Insane," which tells the story in the first person from the point of view of a soldier who is suffering the effects of PTSD. Another is "Jihad," which tells of a "holy war" from a Jihadist's point of view. One of the others is "Cult." with the lyrics "Oppression is the holy war/In God I distrust...Is war and greed the Master's plan? The Bible's where it all began/Its propaganda sells despair/And spreads the virus everywhere/Religion Is hate/Religion Is fear/Religion is war...." you can only guess what the song is about.
Musically, they are in a league of their own. Christ Illusion creates an interesting dilemma for people of faith who like heavy metal. Their on stance on this album is anti-war and how faith in a god is responsible for it. Given the hardcore style vocals, the listener cannot simply listen to the voice as another instrument. You have to deal with the music and the lyrics this time. Christ Illusion is an antiwar record that asks people to think for themselves. It is brilliant thrash metal at its best. Lyrically, it may offend people, but getting the listener to think and make choices is what this music is all about. An anti-Christian/anti-Islam/anti-theocratic, antiwar album.
One of the best Slayer albums along with Reign In Blood, South Of Heaven, Seasons Of The Abyss, and Hell Awaits.
I would agree with you that it is their best release since Seasons in the Abyss. World Painted Blood didn't quite match up to it. Slayer is immortal. Long live evil!
I agree with that assessment as well. I like World Painted Blood and I would put it at second best since Seasons but Christ Illusion is just awesome and almost up to par with classic Slayer IMO.
I would say someone is taking Joe's little comment far too seriously .
I mean Slayer says things far more controversial then "Long live evil' in their songs .Obsessions with Nazism, Satanism, Serial Killers and just plain murder itself..... I would think that anyone open minded enough to listen to Slayer without taking everything they talk about as an endorsement of the acts themselves should be able to understand that "Long live evil' stated after a review be taken in the same light .Obviously not an actual endorsement of EVIL but the musical evil that is SLAYER .
Baby roast at my house Sat, noon .Bring your own babies !!!!
Wolf I can't make it. I just got arrested for murder. I just shot my old lady down. Demonic possession finally degraded my morals and deteriorated my sanity.
Slayer - Christ Illusion (2006) 
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