#paul bostaph

[k-i-l-l-e-r-b-e-e-6-9]

Slayer ⛧

[xxguerrillaxxoperatorxx]

SLAYER

[musicmags]

[f-ingslayer]

Slayer, 1994

[metalcultbrigade]

Paul Bostaph 04/03/1964

[wwonderworker]

My new CD

[rockingreads]

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

[metalsongoftheday]

Friday, March 7: Slayer, "Take Control" [ENCORE]

Repentless came out to decidedly mixed reviews, but there was no other way Slayer’s first album without Jeff Hanneman could be received.  Even more than God Hates Us All or Christ Illusion, this album was the Kerry King show: although the band managed to flesh out Hanneman’s “Piano Wire” from a demo to a working track, “Atrocity Vendor” was the only other song not written solely by King, and without Hanneman around to provide some checks and balances, Repentless found Kerry King at his most unrestrained, which was too much for even a lot of diehards to take.  But even with some truly lunkheaded lyrics and aimless riffing, Slayer could still be the most lethal band on the planet when everything aligned, and “Take Control” would’ve been a highlight on any of the band’s last three albums.  Good production was definitely a major factor, as Terry Date’s recording was far more robust than the anemic production Josh Abraham and Greg Fidelman delivered on Christ Illusion and World Painted Blood.  But focus mattered a lot as well, and “Take Control” was not only full of typical Slayer venom, but was also played with purpose, as Gary Holt ably filled in on lead guitar while Paul Bostaph slammed his drums with perhaps the most intensity we’ve ever heard from him.  Yes, both Hanneman and especially Dave Lombardo were dearly missed, but Tom Araya snarled with much more fury than anyone expected, and Date’s mix gave King’s rhythm guitar added bite. The tune ably continued the rampage brought forth by “Repentless”, and briefly gave hope that Slayer could produce a great album without Jeff Hanneman.  The rest of Repentless wasn’t quite as strong, but “Take Control” at least showed that the right dose of Kerry King could still pack one hell of a punch.