The diversity of the Metal scene in 2006 is as varied as it has ever been. Categorisation and subcategorisation of numerous genres of extreme music have meant boundaries have not so much become blurred, but all but disappeared. Evolution of a particular sound is not so much a sudden leap forward, but more a slow and often painful stagger. An undoubted catalyst for the Death, Black Metal movements and pivotal in the development of the early Thrash sound, it is therefore hard to comprehend the impact 1982’s “Show No Mercy” had on an unsuspecting public.

While the 1990’s saw the likes of Metallica, Anthrax and Megadeth loose their way amid experimentation and a general loss of direction. The boys from Huntington Park stuck to their guns and forged their ahead oblivious to the trends around them. It has however been five long years since the release of “God Hates Us All”, and with the classic “Reign In Blood” line-up back together for the first time in over a decade expectations are unsurprisingly sky high.

The intervening years between “God Hates Us All” and “Christ Illusion” must have been a traumatic hellish place in which to live. As “Christ Illusion” not so much harbours contempt for the world around it, it positively reeks of it. The bands fervour for challenging the religious establishment appears to know no bounds, as the bands full ferocity is unleashed in an unabated torrent. There is little doubt that the return of Dave Lombardo has re-ignited the fire under the bands ass, resulting in a truly punishing release.

It is however a far edgier, more urgent Slayer than we have seen in recent years, with Hanneman and King appearing hell-bent on producing their most savage release to date. While Tom Araya still remains one of the most intense front-men of this or any genre. Never ones to shy away from cries of indignation, "Jihad" and "Cult" positively scream in the face of the establishment, pounding like body blows from Satan himself. "Christ Illusion" rampages in relentless fashion, breathless and intent on carving a path of devastation. Twenty years on from "Reign In Blood" and Slayer are back with a release befitting the history in which they embody.