 
Slayer have just released their eleventh studio album ‘Repentless’ which happens to be their first studio album since 2009’s ‘World Painted Blood’, it is also the band’s first ever album released on Nuclear Blast Records and also features a major line-up change with the album being the band’s first album since the passing of key song writer and guitarist Jeff Hanneman, with Exodus guitarist Gary Holt taking his place and drummer Dave Lombardo leaving the band with previous drummer Paul Bostaph re-joining the fold.
Now ‘Repentless’ has been a much anticipated album within the Slayer fan base and it is safe to say that a lot of people have had their doubts on if Slayer could deliver the goods this time around especially considering the misfortune the band have had over the past few years, the massive line-up changes, losing their key song writer, extra song writing pressure being put on Kerry King and not to forget the really average sounding ‘When The Stillness Comes’ which was released back in April as a teaser for the album but luckily Slayer have managed to do what they always do and have delivered another solid thrash metal album which easily lives up to the Slayer name.
From start to finish ‘Repentless’ is exactly what we have come to expect from Slayer and I can imagine that thousands of Slayer fans across the world are currently listening to the album over and over again in their bedrooms whilst head banging until their neck can physically take no more.
The album opens with ‘Delusions Of Saviour’ a shot instrumental track which builds up over time and sets the pace for the album title track ‘Repentless’ which comes charging at you in high speeds as Gary Holt and Kerry King lays down some epic riffs, whilst Paul Bostaph pretty much beats the crap out of his drum kick as his thrash metal skills shine through and through and Tom Araya’s vocals come in fast and furious as he takes us on a vocally epic journey to thrash metal heaven and back.
‘Take Control’ maintains the speed of the album title track as Slayer take us on yet another epic journey of thrash metal goodness where each and every band member gives it their all with huge riffs, pounding drums and epic solo’s all blasting through the speakers during the songs 3minutes and 13seconds duration.
The likes of ‘Chasing Death’, ‘Implode’ and ‘You Against You’ is like classic Slayer in the way that all of these songs are fast paced heavy hitters with some of the best instrumental work found on the album. ‘Piano Wire’ is the only song on the album featuring music written by Jeff Hanneman and it is a good listen but by far one of the best tracks on the album. ‘Atrocity Vendor’ is extremely punk sounding as easily up there as one of the best songs on the album.
The album comes to a close with ‘Pride In Prejudice’ a song which comes across more stoner rock than it does Slayer signature thrash metal as the band slow things down but maintain the heaviness as the album ends in a more mature relaxing way.
‘Repentless’ may not be the album of Slayer’s career or the genre defining album, yet as mentioned above it is Slayer through and through and it is a pleasure to have Slayer back as with the release of ‘Repentless’ means future Slayer tours and future Slayer festival slots which means 2016 is going to be full of chants of ‘Slayer, Slayer’ at pretty much all major rock festivals across the world.
5/5
Review by Trigger
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