Wait… what?! A guy in Sloan knows who Slayer are? But Sloan only listen to the Beatles and write jangly power pop. They’re too dignified (and old) to listen to thrash metal pioneers Slayer!

If you grew up in the 80s, as I did, you know who Slayer are. They were a major part of the thrash metal/punk crossover that led Iron Maiden fans to Minor Threat. I bought my fair share of RIP magazines, and one of the first bands I played in covered Hell Awaits, or at least the bit after the backward scary stuff and up to when the song got complicated.

When we were mixing 2001’s Pretty Together album at Vancouver’s Warehouse studio, Slayer had just been in to record God Hates Us All. They left a bong made out of a coffee urn and a paper towel tube with their logo scrawled on it in blue Sharpie.

We play Massey Hall (178 Victoria) on Friday (September 11). That’s also the day Slayer’s Repentless comes out, their first album in six years and first without guitarist Jeff Hanneman, RIP. (Curiously, their 2001 God Hates Us All album also came out on 9/11. The 9/11.)

NOW reached out to [Sloan bassist/singer] Chris Murphy for a track-by-track synopsis. He said no, so they reached out to me.

Delusions Of Saviour

Why not start off the album with a two-minute instrumental that sounds like a metal version of Aladdin? Certainly didn’t hook me.

Repentless

There are 12 songs on this album. Thirty seconds into the second song, I feel I’ve probably heard the whole -album already. This one is about living fast and… it’s repentless.

Take Control

Fast, again. Actually not bad. I like the chorus. Apparently the remaining members of Slayer are going to “take control,” as things are getting out of hand.

Vices

One of Slayer’s vices is tuned-down guitars and riffs with lots of notes that don’t really go anywhere. Sometimes there’s a great part, usually the “mosh” section, where everything gets slower and heavier. I’ve never understood why they don’t just make a song out of the cool mosh part and skip the rest. Case in point: this song.

Cast The First Stone

In an effort to say something positive: nice double kick drum action.

When The Stillness Comes

A song about murdering someone. The album is only half over.

Chasing Death

Guitarist Kerry King says this song is about alcoholics and how “they don’t help themselves out, so they’re chasing death.” This from someone who has his own brand of “hangover-free” herbal whiskey.

Implode

Not much to say about this. Classic Slayer?

Piano Wire

The only song written by Hanneman. There’s definitely a different feel, which would’ve been welcome on more of the album.

Atrocity Vendor

Classic Slayer again?

You Against You

Bad Brains reference. Starts with kind of a cool riff, but then it falls back into speedy whatever.

Pride In Prejudice

The typical Jane Austen metal crap you’d expect. Topical, given the gun-happy mess the U.S. has slipped into. If anyone is going to write a song summing up the anger of generations enduring prejudice and violence, Slayer fit the bill.

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