Incredibly brutal,
God Hates Us All
is
Slayer
's most effective album since
Seasons in the Abyss
(1990), thanks in large part to
Matt Hyde
's raw production and a handful of killer songs. The previous few
albums --
Divine Intervention
(1994),
Undisputed Attitude
(1996), and
Diabolus in Musica
(1998) -- were relatively disappointing, at least for anyone familiar with the band's defining triptych of
Reign in Blood
(1986),
South of Heaven
(1988), and
(1990). While
isn't on a par with those classics, without much argument one could call it a return to form for
. A couple
"War Ensemble"
-style thrashers,
"Disciple"
and
"New Faith,"
get the album off to vicious start;
"Payback"
concludes the album likewise. On the other hand,
"Bloodline"
is a slower-paced, evocative song in the style of
"Reign in Blood"
"South of Heaven,"
including a melodic chorus. These are the highlights of
, and while there are some passable songs sequenced throughout the 13-track album, it's solid and well-balanced overall. Especially since it arrived after a long absence,
should be a relief for long-time
fans who were afraid the band had fallen off during the '90s, and it well may surprise newcomers unfamiliar with the band's prime recordings from the mid- to late '80s. ~ Jason Birchmeier