Slayer

Here's a sure-fire way to start a war: World Painted Blood is better than anything thrash metal stalwarts Slayer have previously released this decade. Still, it's true. Listening to the album's provocative lyrics, incensed riffs and Dave Lombardo's drumming (he is the best metal drummer ever), World Painted Blood benefits from the inspiration of comfort after years of faltering with member instability, lesser ability and lack of motivation. Where previous efforts such as 2001's God Hates Us All and 2006's Christ Illusion were solid in their own right, there's no denying they suffered from treading tired ground, that lame drop-tuning and an uneasiness with former drummer Paul Bostaph's capacities and Lombardo's "is it permanent this time?" reinstatement. Eliminating those variables has ensured the quartet are finally able to challenge themselves while not losing their core of hyperactive, Tourette's-based metal. It results in a honed attack that breeds bloodthirsty onslaughts offset by modest experimentation and even the occasional melody. And as claimed by the band, World Painted Blood does feature aspects of their unholy trinity ― Reign In Blood, South Of Heaven and Seasons In The Abyss. But remember, it's almost 20 years later, so World Painted Blood is not going to have the same unbridled vehemence. While it's not absolute, definitive Slayer, World Painted Blood finds them back on stable ground, doling out deep, dark thrash with vitriol, confrontation and controversy.