Slayer
Christ Illusion
American/Warners

"Take a deep breath 'cause it all starts now," are the first words Tom Araya barks on the new Slayer record. From that moment on it's the maelstrom of noise you expect, but in 2006 - despite the return of superhuman drummer Dave Lombardo to the fold - Slayer just don't sound as menacing as they used to. Or as they should.

Producer Josh Abraham doesn't help matters. He polishes the music to such an extent it actually sounds blunt. While his nu-metal tendencies may work for the likes of Orgy, Slayer are a different proposition. They are meant to sound blistering. On this record they sound muffled.

The band's anti-religion stance in 'Christ Illusion' is fuelled by lyrics centering on the 'religions cause wars' argument - and by extension, human suffering - which suits the band's dark imagery perfectly. It's all worded in typically savage fashion; the verbs used are generally violent and, combined with the music, there's nothing subtle about the message or the delivery.

"This is God's war," shrieks Araya on Jihad. "War of holy principles, I'm seeking God's help in your destruction, slit the throat of heathen man," he continues. Cult spells it out in no uncertain terms: "The war on terror just drags along, my war with God is growing strong." There are no sides taken on religion; aside from the odd, tongue-in-cheek reference to Satan, which merely serves to cheapen Araya's anti-religion stance.

Consfearacy may be a terrible pun, but it sees the focus move from religion to politics, "'No one's in control, when the government's the enemy," yells Araya after a typically explosive Kerry King lead break has kicked the song up a gear. Catatonic slows the pace, adding an element of brooding anger to the record.

'Christ Illusion' is let down by the production, but it's nonetheless a great album to have for those drives to and from work in peak hour traffic. There's just no need to bring it inside.

Wade Howland