Thrashcast Episode 92: Slayer's Christ Illusion Album
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Thrashcast is the place to find riveting discussions on classic thrash albums, news and reviews. Your hosts are three thrash loving maniacs who grew up during the golden age of the genre. Kenneth, Billy and Jim will get together weekly to bring you a deep dive on some of your favourite thrash records.
Show Notes:
Episode Ninety-Two: Jim and Ken are back with Phil Fasso to discuss Slayer's Christ Illusion from 2006. Released on August 8th, the album featured the return of Dave Lombardo to the drum kit; helping the band regain that classic edge of sound and fury. The album is once again released on American Recordings with Josh Abraham producing instead of Rick Rubin. Guitarist Kerry King was quite critical over Rubin's lack of involvement in the production and found it "a slap in the face". Rubin ultimately was listed on the project as "executive production" capacity, greatly annoying King.
Christ Illusion is a controversial album starting with the cover artwork of the mutilated Christ by artist Larry Carrol. Not to mention lyrical themes of dark and twisted songs focusing on anti-religion, war and a general hatred towards Christianity. The whole idea was to market the album and release it on June 6, 2006 in conjunction with the Book of Revelation's Number of the Beast, but too many other bands had already had the same idea, so the gimmick was abandoned. It also became apparent, too much time was being lost gaining studio recording time. When the album was finally released, the critical reception was favourable, and was followed by the album debuting at number five on the Billboard 200.
Fun Facts: Longtime artist Larry Carroll returned to handle the image of the controversial "Mutilated Christ" for the cover. The last time he worked on album cover art for the band was 1990's Season of The Abyss. The image sparked outrage from religious groups in America, but the band loved the idea of Christ looking like a drug addict, while drowning in a sea of despair.
Kenneth Gallant, HMS
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