Best Of The Batch: Slayer
Still Reigning (Live DVD)

By John Foxworthy, Garage Radio (more articles from this author) 2005-01-17

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Artist: Slayer
Title: Still Reigning (Live DVD)
Genre: Metal
Label: American Recordings
Website: www.slayer.net
Download: “Raining Blood”

For those who like their Metal with no BS, I present the new offering from Slayer, Still Reigning. This is the first time Slayer has performed a whole concert on DVD and I gotta give these guys mad props for its presentation. Still Reigning puts you center stage to witness one of the most lauded Metal bands of all time as they tear up your senses with their immortal album, Reign In Blood, played in its entirety ... LIVE!

From the total chaos of the audience to the dark madness onstage, Dean Karr (Iron Maiden, Marilyn Manson) has masterfully captured the true essence of Slayer in concert. For the entire duration of the DVD I felt like I was there in the pit ... but with a better view of the band. If there is such a thing, Still Reigning is the next best thing to seeing Slayer live. In fact, the DVD should come with a disclaimer: "Slayer is not responsible for personal injury or property damage that arises from the viewing of this material."

The sound quality is excellent, not like you hear with most live performances. Each instrument is crystal clear and Tom’s vocals are as powerful as any studio recording, yet the audience’s presence is still very prevalent.

As for the show, Slayer proves yet again why they’re on top of the heap ... they’re as tight as they ever were. This coupled with an incredible light show really makes for a well-rounded live experience, but nothing I’ve ever seen can compare with the show’s finale. During the song "Raining Blood" an overhead sprinkler system starts raining blood on the band. Kerry, Tom, Dave and Jeff are drenched in a crimson downpour while still performing the song. I’m amazed they were able to pull it off … their bodies and instruments become increasingly covered; yet they never miss a beat. If I had to describe this spectacle in one word, that word would be "UNFKNBLVBL!"

As the band exits to back stage, Kerry King says, "Now that was a f*ckin’ Rock show." The man has a gift for understatement.

Also included on Still Reigning are six bonus tracks of Slayer’s most classic stuff, including "South Of Heaven," "Necrophiliac" and "Mandatory Suicide." There’s also an up-close-and-personal with the band, in which the members talk about their origin, the show and even a behind-the-scenes on the new stage effects.

All in all, Still Reigning is a must-have for any Metal connoisseur and will go down in the annals of history as one of the greatest live DVDs ever produced. Love ‘em or hate ‘em, Slayer knows how to put on a show, and if this is any degree of what you’ll see on their tour, I say, "Buy the damn tickets!" I can’t think of any reason to give Still Reigning anything less than my top rating ... in fact, I don’t have enough stars for this one!

Rating: 10/10

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