Wampyrii doesn't live here any more. Play nice y'all. :)
Wampyrii doesn't live here any more. Play nice y'all. :)
Member since:15.09.2000
Reviews:772
Members who trust:111
Slayer are: Tom Araya (vocals, bass); Jeff Hanneman, Kerry King (guitar); Dave Lombardo (drums).
Track Listing
1. War Ensemble 2. Blood Red 3. Spirit In Black 4. Expendable Youth 5. Dead Skin Mask 6. Hallowed Point 7. Skeletons Of Society 8. Temptation 9. Born Of Fire 10. Seasons In The Abyss
Slayer are one of the most popular thrash metal bands around, never reaching the heights of bands like Metallica or even Megadeth, yet over 15 years after their first album they are still there plugging out the records. Seasons in the abyss marked the end of their more commercial releases, following on from the relatively accessible South of Heaven, Seasons, followed in the same ‘almost commercial’ vein, although of course with the same hard edge. Tracks like War Ensemble harked back to the old days of balls out hardcore thrash. Ultra energetic and ultra violent, it is tracks like these which have led to Slayer amassing an army of ‘nutters’ amongst their fans. However, tracks like Dead Skin Mask and the title track Seasons in the Abyss mark a much more melodic, ‘tuneful’ Slayer, which didn’t go down to well with the aforementioned members of the fanbase but allowed their music to become more accessible and even receive airplay on MTV.
Called a sell-out album, Seasons in the Abyss spawned a single which was itself a multi-million dollar affair, filmed in the Egypt and with the express intention of receiving the aforementioned airplay which compounded the fan’s feelings. Perhaps as a result of the backlash, or maybe for personal musical reasons, Slayer’s follow-on albums have seen a return to their previous speed and brutality, which may have pleased their older fans, but marks a fast, brutal, hardcore style of thrash metal which is fast dying out.
Personally, of all the Slayer albums this has to be my second favourite behind the excellent South of Heaven, although for sheer energy Reign in Blood can not be beaten. Seasons in the Abyss has few weak links. From the rampant energy of War Ensemble through to the mysterious chugger of Seasons in the Abyss via the pure evil sound of Dead Skin Mask, every track has its merits although Skeletons of Society and Hallowed Point are a little ‘nothingy’ and Slayer’s musical style is certainly an acquired taste to say the least so its better to check out a couple of tracks first before you look into buying this album.
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I agree, that Seasons In The Abyss is underated as a Slayer album, with too many calling everything after Reign In Blood a 'sellout'. Perhaps if people would just give it a go...
Advantages: Fantastic album with consistent tracks, good lyrics, very melodic guitar playing. Disadvantages: A bit poor production, other than that..I dunno.?
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