Slayer's Tom Araya Expecting 'Jihad Backlash'
Band Photo: Slayer (?)
One of the big tracks on SLAYER's new album, "Christ Illusion", entitled "Jihad", is written from a perspective of a 9/11 terrorist. Asked in an interview with The Sun if this has caused any problems, vocalist/bassist Tom Araya responded, "The record has just come out in the States so we haven't had to deal with it much. But I know it's coming."
SLAYER's 1986 classic, "Reign in Blood", is seen as the benchmark for new metal and the best pure heavy metal album of all time.
It was the most extreme record of its period, with a three-pronged attack of heaviness, speed and controversial subject matter.
Tom says: "'Christ Illusion' comes close, but, in my opinion, nothing can surpass 'Reign in Blood' for intensity and impact. No one had heard anything like it before. In the 20 years since then, people have got more desensitised. What was over the top then, might not be now."
Tom says the reason the band have remained tight, hungry and aggressive over the years is because they've never followed any trends.
He says: "The fact we started out playing what we liked is behind our success and we have never adjusted to what is popular. It's just been, 'Plug in, turn it up, let's go."
Source: Blabbermouth
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43 Comments on "Slayer's Tom Araya Expecting 'Jihad Backlash'"
Former Contributor
8. writes:
I hate muslims, but that's a good song. I'm all for the controversial songs and subject matter. It's better than King's constant, "I fu cking hate religion I fu cking hate God I fu cking hate Jesus I fu cking hate people who fu cking believe in fu cking religion and oh yeah, I fu cking fu ckity fu ck fu ck." That stuff gets old quick, but Tom and Jeff's songs are pretty good. And actually, so are most of King's, except for the anti-religion stuff. Just stick to war and tearing people to pieces. Much more interesting than hearing about how much he doesn't care for religion.
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Writer, Reviewer
13. writes:
lol, you'd have to be braindead not to expect a huge backlash on that song. I've personally got no quarrels with it, but every patriotic american and every conservative fundamentalist westerner out there ain't gonna like it. Maybe they're trying to pick up some Middle-Eastern fans?...
14. writes:
"I HATE MUSLIMS", seriously ur a f***in retard. Not all Muslims are terrorists, look at Rulin Kumad. And f*** every conservative, and bible state in this country. I dont agree with the song personally because so many people died and a$$hole music artists were making money on it which is f***ing stupid. They should be shot for that sh**. Im a big slayer fan but i hope that this song doesnt get too much media attention becasue its a cheap a$$ way for them to make more money i mean they already have a ton of it. And to the moron who said Tom is starting to look like a Muslim, UR a f***ing moron. How can someone look like a RELIGION, u f***ing IGNORENT retard. 666 R.i.P Dime
Writer, Reviewer
17. writes:
Aw just let him talk. He's all screaming and no back up for it. Like for instance, I hate muslims cause they attacked my country, they attack other countries and do it the cowardly way cause they're scared and jealous of countries like the US and UK because we prosper while they still live like they did 1000 years ago. They send in women and children to do their dirty work for them. If Bin Laden is such a prophet why doesn't he do some bombing himself? Cause he's a chicken-sh it little COWARD! And muslims who don't bomb innocents stand by and watch it happen and approve. None of them have the balls to stand up and say it's wrong because if they took a stand we'd have whole countries against groups like Al Queda and Hezzbolla and they'd have no where to hide. I don't see Christians or Jews or Buddists bombing other people cause they are jealous of them. So yeah, I hate muslims and that's why. At least I give a reason. And I live in Arlington where Dime did and talked to him at Target from time to time (as a fan, not a friend) and I can tell you he didn't like muslims either.
Writer, Reviewer
21. writes:
yeah Jihad is a pretty intense song but you always have to look at it from two views right? our view and their view. why they did it. not how they did it...i mean we all know. but i think they were right to write through the eyes of the terrorist. understandable that someone might be offended but that's the way it is, music is always gonna offend the weak.
22. writes:
23. writes:
Writer, Reviewer
24. writes:
I quite agree, no one.
Machine, can you explain WHY you hate so many people? Or are you just another idiot who can't get attention any other way than by saying senseless crap on a website?
I've got nothing against Jews; they never did anything to me. I enjoy Slayer's music. I don't particularly like the religions that Jesus founded, but I've got no quarrels with the man himself. Pretty stupid to hate a dead guy, anyway... And, of course, I anything but hate Dimebag. Some Americans aren't the brightest, but then it would seem to me that each country has its' lesser... Which country are you heralding from?
Nobody deserves to die. Personal opinion. Deserve is the wrong word for it. Some people ought to die, some people, for their own good, should die (ie the euthenasia-considering), and some people would live a happier life dead, but nobody deserves to die.
25. writes:
Hei psythe, maybe u should advice some of this f***ers not to post comment on religion.That Slayer Rulz a$$hole use that i hate muslim comment.What the f*** ?.U christian f***ers think that u r f***ing good enough to say sh** like that.f*** u Man.f*** Jews.f*** Slayer Rulz.And certanly f*** THAT BEER DRINKING LOSER (DIMEBAG DARRELL).I HOPE HE BURNS IN HELL.
Writer, Reviewer
27. writes:
Okay, I didn't actually read his comment, and I'd say he's probably out of line by saying "I hate muslims" even with a justification - it's too big a generalization. And more than definitely out of line to offer up conjecture of a dead man's words, and beliefs. Certainly when they're not ones that are likely to be taken well by people.
However, retaliation is no better than instigation. You wont get anywhere here by simply shouting of hatred and cussing all over the place. Instead, you should put forth a dignified, intelligent argument that will perhaps make the offender stop and think twice. I can't speak for anyone else here, but I personally do not affiliate myself with any religious tradition, least of all Christianity, and would be slightly offended if it were suggested I do. So tell us not that you hate Christians. Tell us not that you hate Jews, or Americans, or Dimebag. Tell us instead WHY. We will have a lot more respect for you and your opinions if you can do that. SlayerRulz at least tried to do that. I'll pre-emptively (and optimistically) thank you for your co-operation.
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Member
33. writes:
I think Machine Man has some severe mental disorder where he believes every word that Tom sings,,,,I'm a huge Slayer fan but half of what is being said is just said to be said and should not be taken literally at least thats how I look at it...but if people wanna hate because Slayer hates in their lyrics then that's their choice. just don't do it here, and if you don't like Dimebag then you don't have to but at least show some respect to the man....not just because he's dead, because he deserves it for all he did when he was with us RIP DIME
I really don't think there will be any backlash for it...I mean it's been out for 2 weeks now and I havn't heard anything about the song on the news or anything...Wait til there's a slow news day that's when you'll hear something.
34. writes:
Yeah because all of us on here are blatantly Christians. Most of us on here are decent people that respect each others views am I right? Of course you're gonna get the odd ignorant f***wit but aside from that we're all good. So you got some little piss ant that can barely speak f***ing English turn up and say sh** like we deserve to be bombed and that don't half make me f***ing angry. Who the f*** are you to say that? When the London bombings happened last year, a load of football supporters from Hull turned up at a footie match in London and were saying sh** like, "Not enough Londoners died in the bombings" so needless to say i smashed one of their f***ing faces in. Now hows about you come to any single one of us, face to face and claim that not enough of our countrymen died in terrorist attacks or that Dimebag deserved to die. See what f***ing happens to you, you useless, braindead, scumbag c***!
35. writes:
wow.
so much hate.
so much anger.
Slayerrulz, is an ignorant fool.
many muslims have PUBLICLY spoken out against 9/11.
perhaps because they believed it was wrong, or perhaps to save their own skins.
but they HAVE spoken out.
also, islam and christianity are pretty much the same thing....(read the quran AND the bible before you attack this... I have.)
the people promoting all this hate really arent followers of any religion, and just seek means to keep the world at war.
oh, and im an agnost, so i don;t particularly care for ANY religion.
i just hate racists.
Writer, Reviewer
41. writes:
Hey KF, Kentucky Fried Chicken shut ur f***ing hole obviously 666 doesnt mean much and is just an easy way for people too see how much i despise religion in general. And for SlayerRulz ill back up every f***in word i say with my Docs up your loser Dungeons and Dragons, working at f***in Target for the rest of your pathetic life loser ass. And as for ur dumb a$$ bigot explaination of why u hate muslims, i will reply to it as such. Do some research and see how to U.S government,and the Brits have handled their buisness in the middle east, helping the Isrealis steal land, and invade countries for f***ing OIL, ruining cultures and stealing natural resources. Remember the f***ing CIA trained Bin Laden, when he was of use to us fighting the Soviets in Afghanistan. Its just f***in coming right back to us and biting us in the ass. So f*** U and KF, u Kentucky f***.
6666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666.
Supporter
43. writes:
thank you fesker in post #35....i love how as soon as there is a comment about religion w/ regards to a post, everyone involved becomes a religious scholar and a polisci major. it's heavy metal music, and people of all religions, creeds, and colors listen to it. slayer is probably trying to get people to think a little bit about whats going on out there in the world right now and there is nothing wrong w/ that. that is one cool difference between this release and those in their past. it is also cool that they are taking an alternative route in order to shed light on the subject matter in "Jihad" as opposed to Lamb of God's straight ahead politicizing of metal on their "Ashes" album.
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1. metal2death writes:
yey for tom ahoohooohooo