Christ Illusion is the tenth studio album by the thrash metal band Slayer, released on August 8, 2006 by American Recordings. It was the band’s first album featuring all four original members in over sixteen years. Slayer‘s drummer, Dave Lombardo, performed with the band for the first time since Seasons in the Abyss (1990).
Depicting a mutilated Christ painted by longtime collaborator Larry Carroll, the album’s graphic artwork courted controversy; an alternative cover was issued to conservative retailers who felt uncomfortable with the original, and the band also put out a censored cover without the offensive artwork. Lyrics, particularly in the song Jihad, describe the September 11 attacks from the perspective of a terrorist. Following protests, all Indian stocks of the album were recalled and destroyed by EMI India.
Christ Illusion received generally favorable critical reviews, and entered the US Billboard 200 at number 5, making it the band’s second highest U.S. chart position as of 2015. The album includes the Grammy Award winning songs Eyes of the Insane and Final Six.
Tracklist:
- Flesh Storm
- Catalyst
- Skeleton Christ
- Eyes of the Insane
- Jihad
- Consfearacy
- Catatonic
- Black Serenade (Alternate version in special edition)
- Cult
- Supremist
- Final Six (Special edition bonus track)
Slayer
Tom Araya: bass, vocals
Kerry King: guitars
Jeff Hanneman: guitars
Dave Lombardo: drums
Production
Rick Rubin: executive production
Josh Abraham: production, mixing
John Ewing Jr.: engineering
Ryan Williams: mixing engineer
Dave Colvin: assistant engineer (at NRG)
Brian Warwick: assistant engineer (at Westlake Studios)
Armand B. Crump: guitar tech, bass tech
Norm Costa: drum tech
Vlado Meller: mastering
Artwork and design
t42design: art direction, design
Josh Victor Rothstein: photography
Larry Carroll: cover art
Studios
NRG, Los Angeles, California: recording
Westlake Studios, Los Angeles, California: recording
Pulse Recording, Los Angeles, California: mixing
Sony Music Studios, New York City, New York: mastering
