D.X. Ferris: Slayer 66 2/3: The Jeff and Dave Years [Postmortem, Remastered Edition, or How Fkin' Slayer Kicked Fkin' @ss] (2013)
That's the book cover!
No title, no explanation, horizontal band photo of ... SLAYER!!!
It may be unorthodox (because it is), imperfectly edited (spelling errors, etc.), and generally chaotic (chapter interruptions and asides abound), but that's precisely why D.X. Ferris' peculiarly named Slayer 66 2/3: The Jeff and Dave Years (later expanded to ... or How Fkin' Slayer Kicked Fkin' @ass for the Kindle edition) is so well-suited to its subject.
This book evolved from an installment of the popular 33 1/3 series dedicated to the classic Reign in Blood LP, and besides obviously covering the band's full career, it explores Ferris' thesis that Slayer ain't really Slayer without the oft-fired/rehired/fired Dave Lombardo and the sadly deceased Jeff Hanneman.
He's not wrong, and neither is this anarchic collection of formal and informal interviews, ancient anecdotes and references, and even rare artwork tracking Slayer from their humble beginnings to their glory days as arguably thrash metal's greatest, truest, purest institution -- certainly among the Big Four.
Far from an unbalanced fan account, it exposes and criticizes Lombardo's wavering commitment and meddling, complicated marriage, Hanneman's vices and deteriorating physical abilities, as well as Kerry King's blunt and intolerant leadership and Tom Araya's more laid-back demeanor but unclear allegiances and agendas.
Oh, and longtime drummer Paul Bostaph and other part-time replacements also get to have their say.
As for the book's raw and unconventional format, once again, there are surely more sensible, balanced, but also more superficial Slayer books out there that toe certain sensitive lines instead of crossing them, but who wants that sort of sanctioned bullshit?
Not me and not Ferris, whose devoted fandom is never in question, but who clearly doesn't care if he appeases or upsets his own subjects, and that only helps 66 2/3 reflect the unholy spirit of rebellion, excitement, aggression, mayhem, and general fuck-you-ness of Slayer.
Pardon me, I meant to say "FKN' SLAYER!!!"
p.s. -- You don't have to carve the band's name into your forearm with a razor blade to enjoy this book ... but it helps.
Featured Records:
Slayer: Reign in Blood (1986)
Slayer: Christ Illusion (2006)
Slayer: Live Undead EP (1985)
Buy from: Amazon
