Grammy-winning metal act Slayer still in the saddle.
By Kristi SingerSince recording its first album, Show No Mercy in 1983, metal rock act Slayer has been reproached for believing in Satanism and fascism. But the facts show that Slayer has more of a “lyrical fascination” with darker subject matter (violence, death, terror) than it does with creating controversy and upsetting spiritual, religious or political groups.
And this year, the “dark side” didn’t keep Slayer from taking home its first-ever Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance of “Eyes of the Insane” – winning over rock acts Lamb of God, Mastodon, Ministry and Stone Sour.
The single is featured on Slayer’s most recent studio recording, Christ Illusion, famed as the band’s first record in five years and its first in 15 years with original lineup of vocalist/bassist Tom Araya, guitarist Jeff Hanneman, guitarist Kerry King and drummer Dave Lombardo.
This was Slayer's second Grammy nomination (it was nominated in 2002 for the track "Disciple" (from God Hates Us All), also in the Best Metal Performance category).
Slayer didn’t get to attend the Grammy's, as it was on the road in support of Christ Illusion. However, King spared some telephone time to chat while touring through Columbus, Ohio:
So Christ Illusion is Slayer’s first record in five years?
Yeah. It came out in August, I think.
Is the band thinking about the next album yet?
No, we haven’t started working on anything for the next one, we’ll just be touring. I think we have plans till at least the end of this year.
Your song titles are pretty dark – “Jihad,” “Flesh Storm,” “Catalyst,” “Skeleton Christ” – is there a theme here?
We just like to write stuff that makes people a little uncomfortable.
So what other dark topics interest the band?
Pretty much any topic that most people would shy away from. That’s the kind of stuff that sticks out to us.
Why do you think that is?
I think it’s just who we are. Personally, I just like to question religion and why people are brought up a certain way. That’s cool to be brought up that way, but as soon as you question it – you’re not one of the ‘cool’ guys anymore. I like to throw out issues like that and let people – whether they think about it or not – maybe I’ll make them think about it and give them a different idea.
You mentioned enjoying dark movies. What are some of your favorites?
Movies – Seven’s cool, Silence of the Lamb’s great – just about any great horror movie. The Ring was good, The Ring 2 sucked. I haven’t seen The Grudge 2 yet, so I can’t make an opinion on that one.
What bout Saw?
Saw’s great. I think the second one’s my least favorite, but the first and the last one were great.
So this whole dark image - it’s just who you guys are, it’s not a gimmick? You’re just naturally drawn to this stuff?
It’s interesting. Its things that make people uncomfortable and I don’t feel the need to be uncomfortable by something that’s supposedly taboo.
So tell me what you guys like to do on the road – a typical day on the road with Slayer?
If it’s a typical day, a gig day like today – we carry around our own entertainment case with video games, do sound check and interviews – just pass the time. Get on stage and do the gig, hang out with whatever friends you have in that city and drive to the next town.
For those who have never seen Slayer perform, what can they expect from your show?
When we came through last summer on the “Unholy Alliance Tour,” it was our bells and whistles tour. We had all the extra stuff. This one’s just stripped-down. This is Slayer in its element. We just got our backdrop and our lights. There’s no gimmicky stuff. We’re not raining blood on us, we don’t have to set up upside down crosses. Just a stripped-down, old school, thrash show.
No blood this time around?
Nope. That was a one-time deal - I don’t think we’re gonna do that anymore.
Your CD cover is pretty unique. Did you create this or hire an artist?
The same guy that did our last three albums when Dave was in the band and we haven’t used him since, so with Dave being back with us for the first record in so long – we thought it would be really cool if we can find Larry Carroll and see if he’s even still into it. We haven’t had contact with him for 12, 13 years – but we uncovered him and all we did was give him whatever lyrics we had up to that point, maybe a couple of titles because we didn’t have an album title at that point and said here we are, we know who you are – this is what’s going on with this record: ‘go.’
What do these heads represent?
You’d have to ask him.
Do you ever write about anything more positive? Do you have any desire to?
It’s not our style. It’s not who we are. I mean, the band’s called Slayer – I’m not going to go write about roses smelling pretty on a spring walk.
True, true. So, no celebration for the Grammy award?
Well, I didn’t drink anymore than I normally would on a day off, so it was pretty regular.
And how much is that?
That depends who’s around and what kind of shots we’re getting into.
Are you going to celebrate though?
Probably not.
You should!
Well, my life’s a celebration. I don’t need to make one day any more special than the next because they’re all fun and cool.
