19. Slayer - Undisputed Attitude

I promised I would do this one today after someone mentioned in the comments to yesterday's Slayer review that this is considered by many to be the worst Slayer album.

Of course, being the contrarian I am, that means I like it.

For many Slayer fans, Attitude was a hard slap in the face. Punk songs? They are covering punk songs? They felt it was a departure as well as an insult. Of course, these were the people who remained ignorant of the fact that Slayer was actually influenced by hardcore punk bands like Minor Threat. But hey, why let a little history get in the way of your disdain?

Maybe in order to appreciate this album, you have to appreciate both Slayer and bands like D.I., Dr. Know, GBH and TSOL. But a lot of punk fans hated that a metal band was covering these songs, and most Slayer fans knew nothing about these punk bands and just couldn't get into the album.

Maybe the handful of us who actually love the cover of D.I.'s Richard Hung Himself are the only ones who appreciate both genres of music? I think it's just that most fans of Slayer are in denial

Favorite Song: Richard Hung Himself
Bonus: The original, D.I. version
A fun filled review of the album from a Slayer fan

14. Slayer - Diabolus in Musica

I distinctly remember listening to this album for the first time. June, 1998. I slipped it into my car's CD player in the parking lot of the mall. The slow bass of "Bitter Peace" kicked in. A trudging kind of metal, heavy in the pit of your stomach. And then the short break in the song where it gets quiet, then you can feel the build up coming, the drums rolling, and...dude. Holy shit. Speeeeeeed! Yes!! You could hear the old Slayer hardcore influence loud and clear. And I knew that at that very minute, there were thousands of other Slayer fans listening to this album for the first time and feeling a little let down.

I knew after my first full listen that most Slayer fans wouldn't like the album. In fact, quite a few of them called it Slayer’s worst album ever. Sure, it's not Reign in Blood, but why would you want every album to be the same? It’s still got war and destruction and blood and Satan. The guts haven’t changed, just the structure. Would it help if I told you that if you play In the Name of God backwards, it says “Kill everyone! Satan rules! Light churches on fire!”? Yea, really. Go try it! I’ll be over here enjoying this album for what it is while you listen for something you just aren’t going to get.

Favorite song: Stain of Mind
Official Slayer site