Rolling Stone Posts Slayer Studio Report Online

posted Apr 17, 2009 at 9:09 AM by Diamond Oz. (29 Comments)

Band Photo: Slayer (?)

RollingStone.com has issued the following report from Steve Appleford:

Some things can be counted on at a SLAYER recording session. "Can I interest you in something fast and aggressive?" asks producer Greg Fidelman. He's sitting beside guitarist Kerry King at the Pass Studios in Los Angeles, where Slayer are working on a still-untitled album planned for a summer release, and cues up a new metal track with the working title 'Build Up'. King is ready to thrash.

He's already tapped the Jägermeister machine upstairs, and is now bent over a custom camouflage guitar, his black combat boots on the hardwood floor in the studio control room. King is plugged simultaneously into four amps, each one given a name: The Beast, Hot Ticket Deux, BLS and GF11. Fidelman rolls 'Build Up', and King begins overdubbing bits and pieces of intricate metal melody and a harsh, aggressive riff, his eyes closed, nodding to the intense recorded beats of drummer Dave Lombardo. King's strumming hand is a blur, like a wasp in flight.

"Man, I don't even remember it being that fast," King says with a laugh after one take. "We're fucking flying!"

A pair of candles burn nearby, and a large chart lists the songs in progress, most with descriptive working titles, including '7 String', 'Drop B' and 'Industrial', along with 'Psychopathy Red', recorded last October and already leaked online. Slayer are still in the early stages of recording, just five weeks in, working out ideas for what will be an 11-song album, released in July, in time for the summer's second Mayhem Festival tour with MARILYN MANSON. Lyrics still wait to be written. Rick Rubin, who produced the band's landmark 1986 album Reign In Blood, is executive producing.

"Why do I write this shit at my age? It's fucking brutal," says King, 44, his head shaved and tattooed. "It's exciting to be part of it and I'm excited to be writing this heavy fucking shit. It's still in the blood."

Source: RollingStone

What's Next?

Please share this article if you found it interesting.

You can get related band news and info in the sidebar and on the respective band pages.

29 Comments on "Rolling Stone Posts Slayer Studio Report Online"

Post your comments and discuss the article below! (no login required)

1. Stu Barnes writes:

You rock Kerry, keep up the good work!

# Apr 20, 2009 @ 11:53 AM ET | IP Logged

Member

2. americanpatriot1 writes:

The last time Kerry was that excited about recording, we ended up GHUA. Let's hope this is not a repeat.

# Apr 20, 2009 @ 1:06 PM ET | IP Logged

Member

3. Blindgreed1 writes:

AP1: GHUA hater. Slayer has yet to repeat any album and I doubt this time will be any different.

# Apr 20, 2009 @ 1:12 PM ET | IP Logged

Member

4. Dee writes:

That's whats up. Can't wait to see them on tour this summer.

# Apr 20, 2009 @ 1:24 PM ET | IP Logged

5. 213 writes:

come on!!!

# Apr 21, 2009 @ 9:57 AM ET | IP Logged

6. Bruno Hocklaugie writes:

I thought GHUA was one of the best albums of 2001!
FVCK Rolling Stone- about as much credibility as Spin magazine.

# Apr 21, 2009 @ 12:59 PM ET | IP Logged

Member

7. BrianSD writes:

GHUA was a good album

# Apr 21, 2009 @ 2:13 PM ET | IP Logged

Member

8. Blindgreed1 writes:

Bruno/Brian: You two aren't the only ones. \m/\m/

# Apr 21, 2009 @ 6:12 PM ET | IP Logged

Senior News Correspondent

9. Diamond Oz writes:

I liked God Hates Us All, it had some good stuff on it. I wouldn't say it's my favourite Slayer album but it's definitely not bad. Frankly I'm grateful for anything Slayer puts out. There's always gonna be something on there you enjoy and they're a band which sticks to their principals, which if nothing else, deserves respect.

Now playing: Lacuna Coil - The Maze

# Apr 21, 2009 @ 6:20 PM ET | IP Logged

Member

10. Blindgreed1 writes:

Oz: WORD brother. I can't think of a single Slayer album that I don't like for one reason or another.

# Apr 21, 2009 @ 6:29 PM ET | IP Logged

Senior News Correspondent

11. Diamond Oz writes:

Indeedly do. That's why I get annoyed with people who claim that Slayer produce the same thing each record. Reign In Blood and South Of Heaven are hugely different and both are great albums in their own right. Christ Illusion doesn't sound like Show No Mercy but you'll find at least a few songs on each record that you'll enjoy.

Bottom line: Slayer owns!

# Apr 21, 2009 @ 6:34 PM ET | IP Logged

Member

12. Blindgreed1 writes:

Oz: How very strange... I couldn't agree with you more.

# Apr 21, 2009 @ 6:59 PM ET | IP Logged

13. Bruno hocklaugie writes:

BlindGreed- I hate to say it, but there is one album I refuse to buy- Diabolica Los Musico. I have never liked that album. But I have been listening to Christ Illusion non-stop this week!

# Apr 21, 2009 @ 7:20 PM ET | IP Logged

Writer/Reviewer

14. RememberMetal? writes:

"South of Heaven" has the unfortunate distinction of being the very first record I was ever let down by. I was 8 at the time. "Christ Illusion" on the otherhand, had some great moments, especially "Fleshstorm"--Araya sounds giddy as he's speeding through the verses which overshadow the chorus completely.

I want the most constantly fast album this band can produce, like early 80's hardcore and mid 80's thrash fast...on ephedrine.

Now Playing: Carcass - "Pedigree Butchery"

# Apr 21, 2009 @ 7:52 PM ET | IP Logged

Senior News Correspondent

15. Diamond Oz writes:

I was let down by "South Of Heaven" too but it still had some fantastic and classic songs on it and that's why overall I don't have anything against it. Plus the front cover is badass!

# Apr 21, 2009 @ 8:05 PM ET | IP Logged

Member

16. americanpatriot1 writes:

See, South of Heaven is my favorite from them.

# Apr 21, 2009 @ 11:15 PM ET | IP Logged

Member

17. bulldozerash writes:

WOWWW how do say u liked GHUA but Heaven let u down?? SOH is really a good album if u compare it to C-sh**

# Apr 22, 2009 @ 4:12 AM ET | IP Logged

Senior Reviewer

18. Cynic writes:

I hate Rolling Stone magazine. If there's one thing "Christ Illusion" taught me it's that slow Slayer sucks and fast Slayer is awesome. Bar South Of Heaven tracks funnily enough.

# Apr 22, 2009 @ 4:45 AM ET | IP Logged

Member

19. Jamez writes:

The sh**ty thing about the last 2 Slayer albums is that the first 2-3tracks are brilliant and they definitely know how to end an album (like Payback of GHAU is on of my all time fav Slayer tracks), but everything between is just plain average, Especially on C Illusion. I hope this'll be better!

# Apr 22, 2009 @ 6:29 AM ET | IP Logged

Member

20. Jamez writes:

And for Cynic, I hate Rolling Stone magazine, too. Actually, I dont know or understand who likes/buys it

# Apr 22, 2009 @ 6:31 AM ET | IP Logged

Senior News Correspondent

21. Diamond Oz writes:

I was let down by South Of Heaven because I was expecting more of a Reign In Blood kinda vibe to it and didn't like alot of the slow songs. As I said though, you've got some classics on there like the title track and "Mandatory Suicide." I guess it's cool that it didn't sound like Reign In Blood because then it proves what we were saying about how different Slayer are with each album.

By the way, I thought Diabolus In Musica was pretty good lol. Definitely not their best, but it had some good tracks.

# Apr 22, 2009 @ 8:34 AM ET | IP Logged

Member

22. Jamez writes:

Well, South of Heaven is Slayer at their "nicest" and most melodic. Still good stuff (to me). And, my fav Slayer album is Divine Intervention followed by Reign, South... and Diabolus!

# Apr 22, 2009 @ 9:23 AM ET | IP Logged

Member

23. That_One_Guy writes:

"God Hates Us All" was a good album. "Christ Illusion" was fantastic!

"South of Heaven" was great too.

I didn't really care for a lot of their 90's stuff ("Divine Intervention", "Undisputed Attitude", and "Diabolus in Musica" were just okay..). But personally, my favorite Slayer album will always be "Seasons in the Abyss."

Now playing: Destruction - "Confound Games"

# Apr 22, 2009 @ 12:00 PM ET | IP Logged

Member

24. Blindgreed1 writes:

As I peruse the postings, it seems clear that everyone has their favorite and least favorites for various reasons. In addition, I don't see anyone agreeing on "the Slayer album that sucked" which tells me exactly what I already knew. They are masters of their craft and everything they've put out touches someone in their own distinctive way. That's what it's all about people. Hail the mighty SLAYER! \m/\m/!!!

NP: Catalyst

# Apr 22, 2009 @ 12:09 PM ET | IP Logged

Member

25. That_One_Guy writes:

Blind -- Well said. I don't hate anything that Slayer has ever put out. As a matter of fact, Slayer is in heavy rotation in my apartment and car (when my wife isn't with me, anyway, she doesn't like metal!!).

Now playing: Destruction - "Confused Mind"

# Apr 22, 2009 @ 12:26 PM ET | IP Logged

Member

26. BrunoHockalugie writes:

I think BlindGreed hit the nail on the head!
I will say that my favorite is Seasons in the Abyss.
One of my top 10 albums PERIOD from any band/genre

# Apr 22, 2009 @ 1:16 PM ET | IP Logged

27. John Cantees writes:

I love all of slayers albums. They all have something unique to offer while still staying true to their brutal balls-to-the-wall sound. Christ Illusion is in my top three. I'm extremely excited to hear what these heavy-metal-grandpas are going to dish out this summer.

# May 6, 2009 @ 7:10 PM ET | IP Logged

Member

28. Fuck_A_Name writes:

All i know for sure is, Raining Blood is the greatest 31 minute long album ever made. And it's also my favorite.

Christ Illusion was 50/50. some songs meh, a few needed to be swept under the rug, but the other half was great. Cult, Black Serenade, and Flesh storm were all great returns to form, while Jihad is up there on my list of favorite slayer songs ever, simply for that one riff at exactly 1:49, and because Tom just yells SATAN! for no f***in reason at the end of the song. Almost made me fall out of my chair in laughter the first time I heard him say that, it was that randomly placed. The album did take a while to grow on me though, but then again, so did Slayer in general. :P

this next album though....it's in the running for "best extreme album of the year" in my head. I say extreme, because Mastodon already won "best metal album of the Year" flat out for me. Even Superfast, super angry rediculous slayer cant top that for me right now.

Now Playing: Slayer- Jihad ( SATAN!!!)

# May 6, 2009 @ 7:29 PM ET | IP Logged

Member

29. Jamez writes:

^ I agree on the part how Slayer keeps on repeating this over the top Satan / hate god stuff to the point where its becoming laughable. They should slap politicians and terrorists more. Well now that we got a bit of an epidemic going on here on our dying planet, I guess theres a good subject for a song. If we are still around to hear it...

# May 7, 2009 @ 3:26 AM ET | IP Logged

To minimize comment spam/abuse, you cannot post comments on articles over a month old. Please check the sidebar to the right or the related band pages for recent related news articles.

Metal Underground.com