Album Review: Slayer - Christ Illusion (2006) B+

Sounds like: Slayer circa 1986-1990

The mighty Slayer return with Christ Illusion, their first album in five years. The album also marks the return of original drummer Dave Lombardo, who hadn't played on a Slayer record since 1990's Seasons In The Abyss.

The result is somewhat of a return to form from the speed metal innovators. While Slayer's non-Lombardo albums weren't bad, they didn't achieve the high levels of controlled insanity that marked Slayer's early career. From opening track Flesh Storm, Christ Illusion takes you back to those early days: insanely fast riffing, intricate bridges, and guitarist Kerry King's patentled 'look ma, no scales!' solos.

In fact, nearly every great moment on this record is great only because it will remind you off something from the Reign In Blood, South Of Heaven, or Seasons In The Abyss albums. Slayer has never been accused of being the most original band out there, but at least their last two records had some sense of evolution to them (even if they weren't that great). That's not to say there's no variation on Christ Illusion. Songs like Catatonic and the much talked-about Jihad (which tells the tale of the 9/11 hijackers from their point of view) vary the tempo, but aren't as memorable as the faster material, such as Cult and Consfearacy.

That said, Christ Illusion is still a very solid album, which is probably a testament more to the classic Slayer style and their skilled playing than it is to anything else. In addition, this record will make one realize how sorely missed Dave Lombardo was. His playing is just as integral to Slayer as is Kerry King's guitar or Tom Araya's raspy scream.