Slayer

[panayiotis1984]

Continuum Books has set an April 15, 2005 release date for SLAYER’s "Reign in Blood (33 1/3)", a book about the classic 1986 album from the Los Angeles-based thrashers.

To pre-order the book, visit www.Amazon.com.

The 33 1/3 series are low-priced, pocket-sized books. Each is about or inspired by a classic album. They range from rock and roll’s foundations to modern classics. Previous books have explored records by PINK FLOYD, DJ SHADOW, THE KINKS, SONIC YOUTH, VELVET UNDERGROUND, RADIOHEAD, BEASTIE BOYS, and many others.

"33 1/3: Reign in Blood" was written by D.X. Ferris, a regular contributor to Cleveland Scene, Alternative Press, and the Village Voice Media chain of alternative newsweeklies.

"For my money, ’Reign in Blood’ is the best metal album, by the best metal band," says Ferris. "But I’m a thrash guy, so take that for what it’s worth. MAIDEN rules, too."

Visit www.myspace.com/rib333 for more information about "33 1/3: Reign in Blood".

For more information on the 33 1/3 series, visit www.33third.blogspot.com
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Video games are bad for you? That what they said about Rock 'n' Roll...

[#75race]

Does anybody here like Slayer? This topic has been up for a while but so far no one else has posted on it yet. Anybody have any favorite Slayer albums or songs?

[ryuhi2]

Slayer is my favorite "thrash" band. Reign in Blood, Seasons, and God Hates us all are my favorite Slayer albums.

[#75race]

[ryuhi2]

[Stained Class]

I have to be in the mood for them, although after Seasons in the Abyss they lost the plot. I must admit though, I don't mind some of God Hates Us All and one of my favourite all time Slayer tracks is Eyes Of The Insane which is by far the best song on that album - which is to be expected since it's an Araya/Hanneman composition.

My fave albums would be Reign... through to Live:Decade of Aggression, although I need to listen to Hell Awaits some more it does sound great. Also I would add that if South of Heaven had the quality production that Reign...did, it would be my favourite slayer album - as it stands, that pleasure goes to Seasons and Live.

[panayiotis1984]

Continuum Books' "33 1/3: Reign in Blood", the first English-language book about SLAYER, is now on sale. The book made its world debut at Square Records in Akron, Ohio Saturday, May 31. The first three copies were signed by author D.X. Ferris, on sale for a special price of $6.66, and numbered 6, 66, and 666.

"33 1/3: Reign in Blood" explores the creation of the most universally respected metal album, its long road to stores, its ongoing influence, and the history of the greatest thrash band.

Ferris conducted dozens of interviews specifically for the book, talking to all members of SLAYER, producer Rick Rubin, engineer Andy Wallace, cover artist Larry Carroll, and Def Jam insiders from Russell Simmons to MC Serch. From Tori Amos to PANTERA's Phil Anselmo, a host of fans and artists discuss the record's ongoingimpact and SLAYER's status in the small fraternity of rock's greatest groups.

SLAYER's controversial "Reign in Blood" set the gold standard for extreme heavy metal. The Los Angeles metal kings recorded their major-label debut with producer Rick Rubin (a future Grammy winner them known strictly for creating hip-hop) and engineer Andy Wallace (who would later produce JEFF BUCKLEY and mix NIRVANA).

Issued on America's premier rap label (Def Jam) at the pinnacle of the thrash movement, the album is a seamless 29-minute procession of 10 blindingly fast songs, delivered in furiously precise musical bursts, with apocalyptic lyrics so striking that Tori Amos was moved to record a cover. The improbable team behind the record permanently fused classic rock's technical proficiency, hardcore punk's speed, and metal's brute power.

"The book's about three things," says Ferris. "One, how 'Reign in Blood' came be, from Def Jam recruiting SLAYER to its recording.

"Two, it explores the songs, how they influenced extreme music, and what they mean — from their creators to the band's diverse fans.

"Three, the book presents a short history of the group before and after the album, with profiles of all the record's major contributors — the members of the band, Rick Rubin, Andy Wallace, and Larry Carroll."

Promises Ferris, "Even SLAYER's most hardcore fans should learn something new, from Kerry King's sorta-straight-edge past to Hanneman's original idea for 'Raining Blood'. And it's the first real profile of Wallace, who's one of the biggest names in mixing. It's a great story, and it'll get a hook in you if you like music, even if you've never lost a shoe in a mosh pit. Plus, it's probably the only time you'll find Matt Pike, Tori Amos, and Roger Miret at the same party.”

"33 1/3: Reign in Blood" features previously unreleased pictures by Glen E. Friedman, the photographer who shot the "South of Heaven" group photo, and who's also known for recognizable images of the BEASTIE BOYS, PUBLIC ENEMY, FUGAZI, and the DOGTOWN/Z-BOYS skaters. It also includes photos by Andy Wallace and Kevin Estrada.

"The book is about 'Reign in Blood' and then some," says Ferris. "It's about metal and thrash and what it means to have those as an important part of your life. And it presents 'Reign' in the context of rock history. How does a band like SLAYER wind up on Def Jam and find fans all over the spectrum, from AGNOSTIC FRONT to SUM 41 to a rapper like ILL BILL? Like SABBATH before them, SLAYER transcends metal. The book argues for SLAYER as not just one of the best metal bands, but the greatest rock bands, period. Who's been that good for that long?"

To trace "Reign in Blood"'s ongoing impact in extreme music and beyond, the author interviewed dozens of artists and musicians, including:

Tori Amos (who covered “Raining Blood”)
Philip Anselmo (PANTERA)
Rob Arnold (CHIMAIRA)
Matt Bachand (SHADOWS FALL)
Kurt Ballou (CONVERGE)
Charlie Benante (ANTHRAX, S.O.D.)
Karl Buechner (EARTH CRISIS, FREYA, PATH OF RESISTANCE)
Corey Bing (FISTULA, KING TRAVOLTA)
Anders Björler (AT THE GATES, THE HAUNTED)
John Comprix (BEYOND FEAR, RINGWORM)
Brann Dailor (MASTODON)
Glenn Danzig (MISFITS, SAMHAIN, DANZIG)
Katon W. De Pena (HIRAX)
Dave Ellefson (ex-MEGADETH)
Jack Endino (producer of NIRVANA, HIGH OF FIRE, SOUNDGARDEN)
Rick Ernst (director of the documentary "Get Thrashed")
Tony Foresta (MUNICIPAL WASTE)
Angela Gossow (ARCH ENEMY)
Page Hamilton (HELMET)
Dwid Hellion (INTEGRITY)
Larry Herweg (PELICAN)
Killick Erik Hinds (a composer who recorded an instrumental version of the entire "Reign" LP, solo, on a H'arpeggione)
Gene Hoglan (DARK ANGEL, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, PITCH BLACK FORECAST)
Gary Holt (EXODUS)
Eugene Hütz (GOGOL BORDELLO)
Ill Bill (rapper-producer who wrote the song "The Unauthorized Biography of Slayer" in honor of his favorite band)
Bill Kelliher (MASTODON)
Dan Lilker (NUCLEAR ASSAULT, BRUTAL TRUTH, S.O.D.)
Roger Miret (AGNOSTIC FRONT)
Nergal (BEHEMOTH)
Buzz Osborne (MELVINS, FANTOMAS)
Tim "Ripper" Owens (BEYOND FEAR, ex-JUDAS PRIEST)
Trevor Perez (OBITUARY)
Bill Peters (host of WJCU's "Metal on Metal" since 1982)
Dave Peters (THROWDOWN)
Lars Göran Petrov (ENTOMBED)
Trevor Phipps (UNEARTH)
Matt Pike (HIGH ON FIRE, SLEEP)
Henry Rollins (ROLLINS BAND, BLACK FLAG)
Paul Romano (visual artist best known for his MASTODON album covers)
Jim Root (SLIPKNOT)
Rat Skates (ex-OVERKILL, director of "Born in the Basement")
Devin Townsend (DEVIN TOWNSEND BAND, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD)
Kat Von D (tattoo artist, star of "L.A. Ink")
Andy Williams (EVERY TIME I DIE)
Deryck Whibley (SUM 41; SLAYER's Kerry King contributed a solo to SUM's "What We're All About")
Sean Yseult (WHITE ZOMBIE, ROCK CITY MORGUE)

In addition to conducting original interviews and reading over 25 years of SLAYER-related articles, Ferris tapped the band's fans to help shape the book. Through the book's website, fans sent questions to the author, telling him what they wanted to know about the record. The result, like the band itself, is a gripping story that will hold your attention whether or not you've ever spent an afternoon arguing about the relative merits of different MEGADETH lineups.

D.X. Ferris is an entertainment reporter for Cleveland Scene and Alternative Press. His writing has appeared in Decibel, OC Weekly, Ohio Magazine, and the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, among other publications. As a teenager, he was tossed out of a SLAYER show when a misdirected crowd-surf landed him onstage.

The "33 1/3" series is an ongoing collection of books about and inspired by classic albums, from the BEACH BOYS to the BEASTIE BOYS.

For more details, visit http://www.myspace.com/rib333
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Video games are bad for you? That what they said about Rock 'n' Roll...

[panayiotis1984]

SLAYER guitarist Kerry King gave writer Joel McIver (Total Guitar, Metal Hammer) an update about the next SLAYER album and the band's future in general. Excerpts from the chat follow.

McIver: SLAYER have just had an extended break.

King: I didn't speak to the other guys for nine months. For the first time in our career, we just scattered. The last thing we did was the MARILYN MANSON tour in America. In all that time, I must have played the guitar 25 times. I got home right at the beginning of the American football season, and I haven't seen a whole season in six or seven years, so I enjoyed the hell out of that. And then once you take four or five months off, it's easy to take the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth month off!

McIver: Is there a new SLAYER album on the way, or are you going to make us wait another few years like you did with 2006's "Christ Illusion"?

King: We're supposed to have one ready at the end of the year! There's been talk of all kinds of odd things, because the record industry changes every day. We've talked about maybe putting out a couple of songs from an upcoming record through iTunes, so we can play something new on the Unholy Alliance III tour. You know, that's not so far outside the realm of possibility. As far as how much we're gonna get done by the end of the year? I have no idea.

McIver: Are any new songs ready to go?

King: Jeff [Hanneman, guitar] has a couple of things. I've got ideas that I've never finished, so I wanna get back to working on those. Some of them are really cool. I haven't recorded anything yet because I want to finish the songs first — I like them to have a beginning and an end before I demo them.

McIver: Tom [Araya, singer] said that after the next SLAYER album, you guys would have to discuss your future as a band, because he's reaching an age where it might no longer be viable.

King: I haven't even heard that. He hasn't talked to me about it. But after taking 10 months off, I bet you he's recharged and ready to rock. As far as I'm concerned, I look at people like Ronnie James Dio and Rob Halford and I think, "Shit, maybe I'm not done!"

McIver: Yes, but Dio and Halford aren't playing thrash metal.

King: They're not, but they still belt it out on stage. They sound like the fuckin' record to this day, and it's inspiring. I've got great ideas for songs, and musical ideas that I want to try to achieve. I couldn't see myself doing a solo album, though. I have a lot of friends in the business, so I could pull it off, but I don't want to take my ideas or my time away from SLAYER.

McIver: Has Dave [Lombardo, SLAYER drummer] recovered from his thyroid problem?

King: Yes, that was when he was all bony! But we came back from our 10-month break and he's the heaviest I ever saw him. I was like, "Whoa, dude — what have you been doing!" He surprised me with how ready we was to play, because I thought we'd all suck. But he was ready to go.

McIver: Do you ever discuss Dave's future in the band with him?

King: Not really, I just assume he's there. He always [renews] the deal. I don't see why he'd want to leave. What's he gonna do, go and play in FANTOMAS for the rest of his life?


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Video games are bad for you? That what they said about Rock 'n' Roll...