SLAYER — Diabolus in Musica (review)

Album · 1998 · Thrash Metal

3/5 · 2011-07-12
The Angry Scotsman

"As experimental as Slayer got"

These are the words drummer Paul Bostaph used to describe the album. Now don't get to excited, or worried, for Slayer "experimental" isn't anything earth shattering...but for them this album is a pretty stark departure. This is why I like it best from their "dark ages" period.

Whether the band was just tired of relentlessly thrashing, or trying to cash in on the alt metal scene, "Diabolus in Musica" incorporates nu and groove metal influence. Featuring lots of heavy, (drop D) and more simplified riffing, vocal effects and "weird" guitar solos it also has lots of mid tempo, groovy riffs backed up by complimentary drumming. There is still thrash on this album, and crazy soloing, but overall it's pretty mid tempo and even the thrashy parts aren't generally as intense as usual. Heavy groove influence a la Pantera. While hardcore Slayer/thrash fans may disappointed, and I originally was, this album is a welcome change for the band and isn't too bad an album. Also, the sound quality is great. A vast improvement from the thin and horrible quality of "Divine Intervention" you can hear every note and drum hit perfectly. Even some bass!

"Bitter Peace" starts with some churning riffs and cool drumming, makes you slowly bob your head before a bassy interlude builds to some old school Slayer thrashing, tremolo picking, wild solos and double bass abound. Awesome song. "Death's Head" takes a lot of flak from fans, but I love it. A continual, churny riff and groovy off tempo drumming(!) is spaced with slower, fill heavy sections, crushing rhythms, a tremolo effect, and bass segues. Lots of variation, very cool. THIS is experimental Slayer, and it works.

"Stain of Mind" has more spidery and simple riffing, the main one is really just single note picking, with more groove drumming. Not a band song, varied enough and builds to a pretty powerful climax. "Overt Enemy" has a bassy and sample intro, really building into a doom metal type lumbering, I like it and there's really good drumming. Some points have double giving it an intense feel, cool guitar solo/rhythm parts and it all builds to a groovy thrash. More building? Yes, it appears Slayer can write songs more than just brutal thrashing! Only knock are the "effect vocals" which are annoying.

"Perversion of Pain" is a thrashier song with some of the best drumming on the album, and some parts are the most intense on the album. Vocals a little annoying, but not bad. After a good start things start to fall off with "Love to Hate" which isn't so bad, but boring. Drudges along, though it's short and some decent solos and a surprise keep it going well enough. Same can be said for "Desire" it's not bad, but a tad boring and Tom's vocals really hurt though some mid tempo thrash and pounding rhythms, also an unusual intro to kick it off.

"In the Name of God" picks things up a bit, another varied song with some thrash. The noise solos are a bit annoying. "Scrum" picks up even more. Pounding song with lots of classic Slayer thrash. "Screaming from the Sky" is a low point, very dull and uninspired by this point. Heavy effect vocals for lots of it make it almost un-listenable. "Point" kicks off strong and is packed with lots of thrash, solos, epic drumming and some breaks to keep it fresh. Great end to album.

Slayer's foray into groove metal isn't a bad outing. Much less thrash and mile a minute riffing, replaced with rhythm and groove, which is not a bad thing. Sure, much of the riffing is samey and unimpressive but technicality is not king here, and it's OK because a lot of it just sounds good and will make you groove. It's not all midtempo, and thrash is prevalent enough and well placed.

I've mentioned the drumming a lot because it's awesome, and really holds this work together. It adds the feel that is critical to this album, always fits and has bursts of madness. Paul Bostaph will never get the credit he deserves since he is not Dave Lombardo, shame because he is leagues better than Dave. Bigger shame his work was on the band's worst albums. It's great though and much like Vinnie Paul of Pantera, is what makes this album. Also like Pantera, Tom's vocals, which are a near constant top volume scream, help push the album though it can be a bit much at times, also the vocal effects were a mistake.

Underrated and relieving experiment from Slayer.

Three Stars

more than 2 years ago
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The Angry Scotsman wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Oh absolutely, I did put in there experimental for Slayer is not exactly mind blowing lol and those were Bostaph's words. When I was a closed minded teen I hated this album but it grew on me, it's pretty decent.

UMUR wrote:

more than 2 years ago

"As experimental as Slayer got" I guess that´s a good way to describe this album. I enjoy this one on occasion. I´ve actually always enjoyed it. It was never too experimental to me.