Okay, in my constant quest for fresh new music and always pushing my own personal boundaries of enjoyable music, I’ve recently purchased what I never thought I would have purchased in the last 20 years of my awareness of this band. I bought Slayer’s Diabolus in Musica CD. I must qualify it by saying that in the last 20 years, the rebellious side of Shae has always wanted to enjoy Slayer, but I simply never could. Some of it, I am sure, was their overtly satanic gimmick but some of it was honestly the aesthetic of their music….if it could be called that. However, this CD always intrigued me. I’m a very visual person and the artwork on this project was always a curious draw for me. The blank, 30′s era gothic movie motif is quite a departure from what could only be described in the past as their fascination with poorly drawn “evil” comic book style artwork.
The symbolism of the departure from their artwork is quite indicative of the growth and maturity of the music inside this project. Drawing from equal parts of their own historic style as well as some large Corrosion of Conformity influences, these guys have stuck to their guns…they’re still dancing with the date that brought them. This music is some of the most aggressive music I’ve ever heard. In a way, it’s refreshing from the constant stream of Duncan Sheik and Glen Hansard that I’ve been listening to.
Satanic? Not in any religious sense. I would say that the aggression and anger in this music is more indicative of anti-establishmentism and vast self-preservation at the expense of anything and everything else. Self-centered? Completely. So in that sense one could make an argument for it’s satanic bent, as long as one is trying to describe a philosphy and not a religious system where a bunch of guys dance around in the forest in black cloaks like they’re still wishing they could play Dungeons and Dragons and get away with it.
quit moving around.
Slayer, huh. I’m just not that progressive. BUT I’ve been recommending Michael Moore’s “Sicko” to my co-workers lately – does that count? I also bought Stateless on emusic, and I love it! I listened to it for hours today. In addition to all the apt comparisons you made earlier, the singer’s voice also reminds me of Aqualung. Nonetheless, this particular project is much more intresting and enjoyable than anything he’s done.
I also bought World Waits by Jeremy Enigk on emusic after you ranked his newer album. It’s a keeper too, so pick that one up if you haven’t already.
Otherwise, I’m listening to Chris Whitley, Pete Yorn, David Poe, William Fitzsimmons, The National (especially “Boxer”), and Homer Hiccolm and the Rocket Boys (HIGHLY recommended – Abilene natives, too). Later….
OK so here I am posting my agreement with it being satanic in a philosophical sense. Don’t get drunk on it – the hangover has a serious bite.
I remember jamming to divine intervention back in the day. And I never thought they were “satanic” as in members of the Church of Satan, I always viewed their image as fitting for the style of music and topics they covered.
Next up, Cannibal Corpse lol
should i just delete my bookmark for this blog?