Slayer: 'People Won't Be Disappointed With New Album'

Peter Atkinson of KNAC.com recently interviewed Slayer frontman Tom Araya. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow, according to Blabbermouth.net:

KNAC.COM: It's been five years since the last album, so you obviously were pretty well prepared for this one?

Araya: We usually rehearse our songs a lot, that's how we know whether we like them or not. There's a lot of time when someone will come in with a song that all of a sudden just disappears. Sometimes I'll ask, 'I wonder what happened to this one?' And they [Kerry and Jeff] will be like, 'Oh, we didn't like it.' 'Ah, OK, I thought there were some good parts in it.' 'Yeah, there were, but overall the song was terrible.' Sometimes they take the good parts and mutate them into another song, so by the time we get in the studio it's all pretty well rehearsed. On this one, we've been working with the material for a few years now. I think we've had it for about three years. But we've done a lot of touring, we've had a lot of opportunities come up. And, I'm not going to lie to you, it was all about money. Money and opportunities, and not only that, they were high-profile opportunities so we figured, 'Fuck it, we'll do this since no one was in any real hurry.' And then [Rick] Rubin [head of American Recordings] got into this distribution thing that was going on, so that allotted us even more time to take advantage of the opportunities that came along. And when it came time to record, I came out and we started demoing stuff and they started fine tuning it and to me everything was sounding really good. We were ready in December, that's when I started coming in so we could demo everything. I thought everything sounded great, it was tight. But then there were the usual delays. And we were trying for a June release date to have it out on the 'magic number' this year.

Kerry spoke of "Jihad" as a song that touches upon that belief system, but he also mentioned a song you wrote the lyrics for "Eyes of the Insane" that dealt with the after-effects of the war.

Yeah, it was based on an article I read in Texas Monthly about the casualties of war, the soldiers. The article was about how a lot of soldiers are really having a tough time coping with the trauma and all of the shit that they witnessed, basically they get really mental. That song is about that part of the war, and it is a great tragedy and it seems to be neglected. At points in their tour of Iraq, they need help and the military tends to ignore that, they kind of brush it under the mat and hopes it goes away. They try to make everything seem hunky dory and fine and dandy, when in actuality there is a lot of shit going on that people can't handle. There's a lot of soldiers coming home with mental anguish. And the sad part is, we heard about post-traumatic stress after Vietnam and the first Gulf War and the military seems to want to wipe the slate clean with every new war. It's fucked up. This whole issue of Texas Monthly was about the war and the Texas military's involvement with it. It looked at all the services and talked about the good and the bad, it was very 'fair and balanced' (laughs). But it had an article about all of the Texas who had died, and that one article I mentioned about those who have returned from the war really blew my mind. They go and come home missing a few pieces.

Kerry mentioned a few other songs, but I'd like to get your take on the rest of the material?

The two songs we were just talking about are the only ones that touch on the subject of current events, the recent war. There are some other songs that are loosely based on war, but it could be anywhere at any time. He must have mentioned the song he wrote called 'Flesh Storm'. The title alone says it all with that one. There's a song that we're still feeling that is almost done that Jeff and I have been working with called 'Black Serenade'. And right now there's one other song that needs to be written to that lately I've been trying to come up with some ideas for. But I want to write it first before I start talking about it (laughs). What else did Kerry tell you?

Pretty much what he always seems to say, that they "sound like Slayer songs."

(Laughs) Well, that's about all I can tell you, too. It's a Slayer record. People won't be disappointed. We're not going to come out with something completely different. And I don't want that to mean that this one sounds just like this, that or the other, but the minute you hear it, you'll recognize it as Slayer. It encompasses everything we've done. And usually every record encompasses everything we've done, with something new added to it. And this one isn't any different. There's one song that has a new element for a Slayer record and somebody yesterday was asking, 'Well, what is it?' And I'm not gonna tell you, when you hear it it'll be like, 'Ah, that's what he was talking about.' It's pretty obvious. It's Slayer, but you'll realize that it's something new for us.

Read the entire interview at KNAC.com.

Comments

[Heid]

I'm really looking forward to this. Seems to me though that Slayer are writing songs with a more political edge. Not that that's a bad thing, I just didn't expect it from them.

[UnDarkGuitar]

I can't wait for their cd to come out. I cant wait to hear this new element. Damn time. HURRY UP.

[bigboi82]

SLAYER!!!!this record will be great.

[reapist16]

hope this would be released in the philippines... hahaha....

fl0w wrote:
post posistion

not any more

[Bitter_peace_6]

Heid wrote:

I'm really looking forward to this. Seems to me though that Slayer are writing songs with a more political edge. Not that that's a bad thing, I just didn't expect it from them.

How can you not expect that from Slayer, they've always mixed in their bit of political songs...Bitter Peace, War Ensemble etc...Slayer Fuckin kicks Ass man, I cannot wait until the new album...Tom's articles sound more re-assuring than Kerry King's, he said that this was a follow-up of GHUA...but idk, guess we all shall see when it comes out, but Fuckin Slayer Fuck Yea!!!

[guitartilldeath]

i.cannot.fukin.WAIT.ANY LONGER!

[salo]

Cool, Slayer is and will forever be something special.

[gary666]

slayer never fail to dissapoint...

[Havenspear]

I dunno. I think they need to very the tempos a bit. Their songs sound a lot alike. Just really wicked fast tremolo picking, screaming, and an out of control solo.

I hope there's some more variation in this album :]

[OzZY-RuLE5!!!!!]

i am going to get this album when it comes out. slayer owns

[Bob_The_Moose]

Not really referring to the article (just the title), but Slayer are kind of like the AC/DC of thrash metal.

[Nirvana101]

Damn I wish he asked if Slayer was gonna play those songs at the Unholy Alliance tour. I can't wait and some new stuff would just make my day.

[Abby123456]

Slayer f*cking rule!! I cant wait!!

[nish]

this is the album that's coming out on 6.6.6 right?

can't wait. i really wish they were playing at Download this year instead of stupid Guns N Roses

[PT 2 DOOR RULE]

Can I get a "SSLLAAAAAYYYYYEEEEERRR!!
!"

[euan_soad]

o ****ing yes

[edibledevilboy]

all about money eh?... ah atleast he was honest bout it

[Chaosweaver]

It may be decent, they'll never make another Reign In Blood again though.

[lost_it_again]

can't wait to get hold of a copy

[SlaytanicdS]

Slayer are GOD!!!!!

[SomeKindOfKirk]

Hell Yeah New Slayer CD I'm Gonna Wait At 6 o' Clock At The Record Store When it Comes Out...

[Dorito]

Im excited.

[Styx]

yes i can wait!!! This would be the best record of the year!!!

[Inimical]

Skeptical, but still excited. Hopefully they took a step back into the old days.

[Cyrus-602]

^^ me too, im not sure bout it, id like it to be like the first 5 or 6 albums but it probably wont

[DaBlackE]

What's up with Tom? Last article he had a beard, now he's looking like Ronnie James Dio in that picture. Wish there was a release date, hope it's out by 7/21.

[ibanez666]

long live SSLAAAYYYEERRR! can't wait for the new CD

[ss311]

I think you'll all be blown away. I don't particularly like them but it should suit your needs for aggressive music.

[Blood_Covered]

/cant wait

[ctb]

Everything else can wait in my life, this shall come first

[13579ed]

I like them

[13579ed]

whoops, I posted the wrong smile, lol

[dimebag7]

Cant wait.

[Panatonix]

iv heard its coming out on 6-6-06

[acknowledge_me_cas :(]

Heid wrote:

I'm really looking forward to this. Seems to me though that Slayer are writing songs with a more political edge. Not that that's a bad thing, I just didn't expect it from them.

If look closely, a big portion of their songs have some political edge, it's just not blantaly obvious.

On topic, I can't wait for this album. GHUA was a little letdown, and I think they know that, so their hopefully gonna pick it up this album. It better be damn good too; They've had awhile to write it :P

[acknowledge_me_cas :(]

Oops, I meant to say if you look closely.

[billiethesquid]

I bet the new edge is a lot of harmonies and pop melodies. Mark my words! Slayer are gonna go pop

[Gman400]

Badass.

[GNR-4-Ever]

Too bad Bam Margera loves 'em....oh well...SLAYER.

[Taker]

They're still writing some of the songs and the album's supposed to be released in less than a month? I guess the release date was wrong, unless they're gonna rush the production.

[Spankey]

I think they have lost some of their edge, but still can't wait for the album.

[Spade_SanosukeX]

I hope it's good.

[Kreuger]

Read it already. Can't wait to hear the album and see them again!

[ghostmouse859]

Slayer Sucks (period) Ever since they did the Minor Threat Cover "Guilty of Being White" and screwed up the ending about the white race being "right" is just simply stupid, because we are equal and are all human (period)

[ripewithdecay]

i'd say he looks more like devin townsend instead of ronnie james dio

[psykopoo]

ripewithdecay wrote:

i'd say he looks more like devin townsend instead of ronnie james dio

I dont know bout that, but i do know that he's a sexy bastard. Gay for Tom araya....

[totenkopf]

Too bad Bam Margera loves 'em....oh well...SLAYER.

Too bad, mm? How does Bam's liking for Slayer affect you?

.....what is it with ****ing humans...I don't like Bam at all, but if he likes Slayer, there's absolutely no reason to get my skirt in bunchs.

[DoctorFu]

MOD: The main page's picture is wrong.

[Audio_State]

there gona release there new album the same day the unholy alliance tour starts...lol awesome

[sum41freak8733]

if this album comes out on 6/6/6 we know where slayers headin WATS gonna HAPPEN

[a real DEAD one]

slayer..... yes

[nirvana4lf]

they want to, but it doesnt mean they will necesarily

checked

[dez_cole]

cant wait any slayer album is a good album.

[Still Life]

It best be better than GHUA or hell will be raised!

I expect it to be good though, a good feeling about this one.

[seanguitarman]

Awsome. Im seeing them on june 23 in Dallas,TX

[Brennos_37]

WOW!!2006 is going yo be the year of the comebacks. TOOL, ALICE IN CHAINS, SLAYER, GUNS N' ROSES and maybe METALLICA. Maybe this is going to be great year or it could be all a disaster.

[deadskinmask]

I hope Lombardo kicks some ass.

[Lauren22]

Does it come out on the 6th in Australia? Or is it only the usa release date?

[Juicy(J)]

Brennos_37 wrote:

WOW!!2006 is going yo be the year of the comebacks. TOOL, ALICE IN CHAINS, SLAYER, GUNS N' ROSES and maybe METALLICA. Maybe this is going to be great year or it could be all a disaster.

Dude your setting yourself up for dissapointment. ALice in chains w/o layne staley=a jerry cantrell solo album. GUns n roses w/o slash=axl is a dick and what is there to say about metallica. I cant believe those guys take themselves seriously anymore. Just watch some kind of monster. I almost slit my wrist with a st anger cd.

[Juicy(J)]

Oh yeah SLAYER rules

[Weybl Himself]

Excuse me while I shit myself with surprise at one of metals most arrogant musicians saying we WON'T be disappointed. I'm waiting for an artist to come out and say "Fans are gonna hate this album, we made a real stinker here!"

checked