SLAYER! Yes, fucking Slayer. They are one of the most controversial, most single-minded and most extreme of the so-called Big Four of thrash. And, when it comes to live performances there are few that can compete with them when they're on form.
When the fearsome four-piece landed for the first of a two-date stand at Belfast's Limelight1 on Sunday (June 29th) their sheer intensity blew a dark metal wind across the venue.
After last year's two dates in June and August at the Limelight1 could the audience become a little jaded by seeing Slayer again? Nope, because Slayer are uncompromising when they hit the stage.
Tom Arya was grinning almost as soon as each song ended; banter kept to a minimum but obviously enjoying each moment and interaction with the crowd, alike cohort Gary Holt.
The opening trio of Hell Awaits, The Antichrist and Necrophiliac set the tone for the night. Yes, it was a veritable 'greatest hits' set as they prepare for their first album release with Nuclear Blast, but when songs are this great and even greater live, Slayer can be forgiven.
Mandatory Suicide, Chemical Warfare and Jesus Saves were proportionally terrifying, while Kerry King prowled stage left like a predatory presence, atonal soloing and at times almost hypnotising the audience with fierce riffing.
Bostaph has served almost 10 years in three stints in the band and despite the Lombardo controversy naysayers have been silenced by the quality of Bostaph live sets, adding minimal personal flourishes to drum lines that are iconic. Done in a less subtle manner critics would swoop, and done slavishly he would not have stayed the course.
The intro to Seasons of the Abyss brought the crowd to a peak, before Araya spoke the chorus calling the audience to witness Dead Skin Mask. How can a mid-paced song, still sound so menacing in a packed room? There is no answer other than to say all four members cast an evil alchemy of metal joy.
Raining Blood, South of Heaven and, of course, Angel of Death rounded proceedings up on a night when Tom Araya, Kerry King, Gary Holt and Paul Bostaph managed to re-ignite the flames of extreme metal.
Despite slippery floors in the pit area causing more falls than usual, those partaking found if to be a joyous experience in the main, complemented by sensible management of the crowd activity from the security staff: many other venues could learn from such a well-managed venue for metal performances.
And, Slayer produced a memorable performance in Limelight1, with horns and fists raised high by many and towards the back of the room much knowing nods of appreciation.
What it did prove is that while Slayer have had their fair share of knockbacks they still can rise to the very highest heights of metallic live shows. Now, all we have to do is wait for the new album, and we'll see you next year. Same place, same time? We'll be there.
Showing posts with label Angel of Death. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Angel of Death. Show all posts
Monday, June 30, 2014
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Slaying all in their path - Slayer return to Belfast triumphant
SLAYER have proven year after year that they have some of the most devoted fans in the world and after what has been a tough year for the band, it could have been forgiven to see them head towards the end of the World Domination European leg subdued as they played in Belfast on 13th August .
But just days after a headlining slot at Bloodstock and eight weeks after being in Belfast's Limelight1 for their first show of this double fix of old school thrash King and Araya were standing atop a tide of goodwill, riding each wave of support, each chanted lyric, each pit and each raised pint as if debutantes at a coming out ball.
Whereas in June we noted that at times they were a little restrained there was no holding back as the Slaytonic Wehrmacht rose time after time to acclaim the band that sees fashion trends and generally spits in their face - albeit after one flirtation in the 90s that all including themselves hated.
From the opening bars of World Painted Blood to the encores this was a run through of pure unadulterated thrash metal - judging by each smile thrown between band members to the cheesy grins amongst the audience this was a Slayer performance perhaps unequaled since their 80s heyday.
King, who last time out remained fixedly staring at his left hand, was now engaging with the audience with stares and pantomime villain looks at all the right moments.
Tom Araya seemed congenial and positively pleased to be doing the job he does best - growling lyrics of the utmost offence to 'normal' society and pounding his bass as if he hated its wooden look.
Noting in an almost offhand way that it was the second time in 2013 Slayer played Belfast - but not leaving out those who had seen the Californian speed metal monsters previously - he asked were there any "repeat offenders" in the audience, leading to raucous acclaim.
In their usual varied set each base was touched from Hell Awaits through to Hate Worldwide; from Mandatory Suicide to Angel of Death; and a quite simply awe inspiring Dead Skin Mask.
And, it was Dead Skin Mask that best summed up the night. A song delivered with menace when Slayer are average (which is still better than most bands best), tonight ...Mask was played with an intensity that would drive serial killers to a life of monastic reflection. There was power, barely under control, as it flayed the faces of the adoring audience: there was menace in each note, and it was where Holt and Bostapath rose again to the challenges the cynical few may have had. But most of all it encapsulated Slayer at its best.
Whether we ever see Slayer ever release another set of new material now remains moot - they have already achieved the hallowed heights few can ever wish for in the metallic pantheon of greats; and it was simply great to see them back doing what they do best - Slaying all in their path.
But just days after a headlining slot at Bloodstock and eight weeks after being in Belfast's Limelight1 for their first show of this double fix of old school thrash King and Araya were standing atop a tide of goodwill, riding each wave of support, each chanted lyric, each pit and each raised pint as if debutantes at a coming out ball.
Whereas in June we noted that at times they were a little restrained there was no holding back as the Slaytonic Wehrmacht rose time after time to acclaim the band that sees fashion trends and generally spits in their face - albeit after one flirtation in the 90s that all including themselves hated.
From the opening bars of World Painted Blood to the encores this was a run through of pure unadulterated thrash metal - judging by each smile thrown between band members to the cheesy grins amongst the audience this was a Slayer performance perhaps unequaled since their 80s heyday.
King, who last time out remained fixedly staring at his left hand, was now engaging with the audience with stares and pantomime villain looks at all the right moments.
Tom Araya seemed congenial and positively pleased to be doing the job he does best - growling lyrics of the utmost offence to 'normal' society and pounding his bass as if he hated its wooden look.
Noting in an almost offhand way that it was the second time in 2013 Slayer played Belfast - but not leaving out those who had seen the Californian speed metal monsters previously - he asked were there any "repeat offenders" in the audience, leading to raucous acclaim.
In their usual varied set each base was touched from Hell Awaits through to Hate Worldwide; from Mandatory Suicide to Angel of Death; and a quite simply awe inspiring Dead Skin Mask.
And, it was Dead Skin Mask that best summed up the night. A song delivered with menace when Slayer are average (which is still better than most bands best), tonight ...Mask was played with an intensity that would drive serial killers to a life of monastic reflection. There was power, barely under control, as it flayed the faces of the adoring audience: there was menace in each note, and it was where Holt and Bostapath rose again to the challenges the cynical few may have had. But most of all it encapsulated Slayer at its best.
Whether we ever see Slayer ever release another set of new material now remains moot - they have already achieved the hallowed heights few can ever wish for in the metallic pantheon of greats; and it was simply great to see them back doing what they do best - Slaying all in their path.
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