SLAYER — God Hates Us All (review)

Album · 2001 · Thrash Metal

1/5 · 2011-08-25
The Angry Scotsman

The low point in Slayer's career

Like some of their fellow thrash metal kings, Slayer fell into a major slump during the 90's and early 2000's, and had to hit rock bottom before recovering. The easiest way to describe this album: It is everything Slayer has done badly, with very little of what they've done right.

The band's exploration into nu metal continues, with even lower tunings and general weirdness. Not in a good weird way, just that weird nu metal feel that makes you kind of sick. However, they also pound out some high motor thrash, and it's an awkward combo. The album just feels like a mess. Unlike it's balanced predecessor, "God Hates Us All" uses too much from both sides.

The music doesn't really work and the sound quality makes it worse. It's just bad quality, it sounds sloppy and downright painful. The whole album sounds very loud, (yes metal can be too loud) its unrelentingly loud and messy. Tom's voice is horrid and hurts to listen to, actually hurts.

Lyrics were never Slayer's strong suit and I really don't care about them, but I am compelled to point out even for Slayer these are some poor lyrics. I also feel lyrics can be a gauge for a band's environment and internal workings, so it should be no surprise in this weak period of Slayer we get "God Hates Us All", "I keep the bible in a pool of blood so that none of its lies can affect me", enough profanity to make a sailor blush and frankly, an overall tone that sounds like it was written by a rebellious 14 year old. The album cover of a bible with "Slayer" burnt into it, nailed shut and covered in blood doesn't help either, though King also complained about it so I hold some faith the label helped make this album so ridiculous.

There are of course some good riffs, cool sections, awesome drumming from Paul Bostaph and I do like the song "Warzone" though that's about it. A train wreck of an album all around.

One Star

more than 2 years ago
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arcane-beautiful wrote:

more than 2 years ago

sorry....usually when you see people complaining about modern Slayer, it's usually the thrash purists...sorry for the mistake...will read ur other reviews now

The Angry Scotsman wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Well Arcane if you'd like to read my other reviews : D, I explain why about Divine Intervention.
Diabolus in Musica I actually gave a 3 star, and Christ Illusion is good! Not sure too many really bash that album.

UMUR wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Hell yeah!!!!!!

Wilytank wrote:

more than 2 years ago

SLAYER HATES US ALL!

arcane-beautiful wrote:

more than 2 years ago

why does everyone hate this era of slayer. i love this album, and christ illusion is probabbly my favourite slayer album

Pekka wrote:

more than 2 years ago

I love Disciple (used to sneak into the music room in senior high between classes to play that and other Slayer tunes with a drummer friend) and some other tracks are fine too, but I don't think I've really had the patience to listen to this one all the way through. Perhaps should some day.

The Angry Scotsman wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Sorry Jonas lol