Thrash legends Slayer headlined the opening night of this year’s All Tomorrow’s Parties, curated by Mogwai at Alexandra Palace. As part of an unusually (for ATP) heavy line up, Slayer, Sleep, The Melvins and many other bands turned their backs on the blooming summertime outside and produced an evening of crushingly intense dark music.
Slayer tonight were on fire. As soon as the stage lights turn from white to blood red it’s clear from the roar of the crowd who most of them are here to see. In their element – a darkened sweaty hall drenched in strobes, this is how Slayer should be experienced. Not half way down the line up of some sunny festival. You wouldn’t want to watch ‘Hostel’ at a picnic would you?
Newcomer Gary Holt of Exodus has had his contract extended, due to Jeff Hannemans’ continuing recovery from a near fatal spider bite, and fits in perfectly with the precise well oiled machine. Opening with their most recent album’s title track ‘World painted blood’, Slayer quickly bang out the hits, before settling into a bona fide classic: ‘Reign in Blood’ played in its entirety. It’s influence on so many bands has been clear and the songs still sound as razor sharp and well, just plain Evil as they did back in ’86.
In short, Slayer bring everything you could want from a Slayer gig, towering chaotic solos, brutal precise drumming and Tom Arya as chairman of the board, possessor of both the most laid back in between song banter and the world’s most terrifying throat.
Here’s to Hanneman’s recovery and many more years of Slayer.
Setlist
Reign in Blood
Encore: South of Heaven
All Photos: www.markwilliamsphotography.com
