Repentless

Twelve albums in—zero chill. The kings of thrash metal cut up <i>Repentless</i> into bloody slabs of churning, rapid-fire guitar assault from stalwart Kerry King and newbie Gary Holt, who replaced the late Jeff Hanneman. Paul Bostaph furiously keeps pace—from lurching rhythms to mosh pit free-for-all—as if drumming along to a sandstorm. And in the eye stands Tom Araya, defiantly screaming out against injustice on tracks like “Take Control” and “Atrocity Vendor.” His voice has rasped a touch, making the desperation feel that much more real. Still pissed. Still raging. Still Slayer.