A heavy metal treat

music review

Repentless is the 11th studio album by American thrash metal band Slayer with quite a change in the line-up. Yet it maintains its consistency to please the hardcore devotees who don’t want their favourite bands to change.

It is the first Slayer album to feature guitarist Gary Holt of Exodus and the first to feature drummer Paul Bostaph (replacing founding drummer Dave Lombardo who quit in 2013). It is Slayer’s first album following the death of Jeff Hanneman, founding guitarist and songwriter, in 2013. While their 1980s metal counterparts like Metallica, Megadeth and Anthrax changed their musical direction with declining success, Slayer continued their classical metal style. They sustain their style with the two remaining members, frontman, bassist and vocalist Tom Araya and guitarist Kerry King.

The opening track “Delusions of Saviour” is a short instrumental with the band indicating what is to come. “Repentless” is a speed-paced title track with matching lyrics. “Take Control” has a blistering pace with tempo shifts led by skillful guitar work. “Vices” glorifies violence as humanity’s greatest release with Tom Araya screaming, “A little violence is the ultimate drug/ Let’s get high.”

“Cast the First Stone” is a showcase for the stunning drumming by Paul Bostaph. “When the Stillness Comes” is a brooding track beginning with a slow, controlled start rising to a crescendo of a heavy riff. “Chasing Death” is about alcoholism. “Implode” about the end of the world, while “Piano Wire” recorded prior to Jeff Hanneman’s passing has a classic Slayer style. “You Against You” is a sledgehammer track featuring rapidfire solos. The closing track “Pride in Prejudice” is a metal staple, but not an outstanding one.