Hubbry Logo
RepentlessRepentlessMain
Open search
Repentless
Community hub
Repentless
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Repentless
Repentless
Repentless
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Repentless
Studio album by
Slayer
ReleasedSeptember 11, 2015 (2015-09-11)
RecordedMarch, September 2014 – January 2015
StudioHenson Recording Studios, Hollywood, CA, USA
GenreThrash metal
Length41:57
LabelNuclear Blast
ProducerTerry Date
Slayer chronology
World Painted Blood
(2009) 		Repentless
(2015)
Singles from Repentless
  1. "Repentless"
    Released: June 19, 2015
  2. "You Against You"
    Released: March 16, 2016
  3. "Pride in Prejudice"
    Released: September 6, 2016

Repentless is the twelfth and final[1][2] studio album by American thrash metal band Slayer, released on September 11, 2015. This is the band's only album recorded without guitarist Jeff Hanneman, who died from liver cirrhosis in 2013 and was replaced by Gary Holt (though Hanneman did receive songwriting credits on the song "Piano Wire"). It is also the first album to feature drummer Paul Bostaph since God Hates Us All (2001). Repentless is also the only album the band released on Nuclear Blast and was produced by Terry Date, replacing Rick Rubin after twenty-nine years and nine studio albums as their producer or executive producer. The six-year gap between World Painted Blood (2009) and Repentless was also the longest between two Slayer albums in their career.

Three singles were released from the album: "Repentless," "You Against You" and "Pride in Prejudice". The album debuted at no. 4 on the Billboard 200, the highest-charting debut from the band in its native country. It also topped the chart in Germany and featured in the top ten of almost twenty charts around the world. It received generally positive reviews from critics.

Background

[edit]

When asked in May 2011 if Slayer was going to make a follow-up to World Painted Blood (2009), then-Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo replied that, although nothing had been written yet, there were "definitely plans."[3] In early 2011, guitarist Jeff Hanneman contracted necrotizing fasciitis. Reports linked this illness with a spider bite he claimed to have received while in a friend's hot tub.[4][5] When asked about a new record, singer/bassist Tom Araya stated that any work would have to wait until Hanneman had recovered.[6]

On February 20, 2013, it was announced that Lombardo would not take part in Slayer's Australia tour due to contractual disputes, and his place would be taken by former drummer Jon Dette.[7] Being interviewed in late February by Soundwave TV, guitarist Kerry King elaborated more on the personnel status for the album.[8] He expressed doubt as to who might produce the album, saying that Metallica "monopolized" producer Greg Fidelman. The continued absence of Hanneman further contributed to the uncertainty. Lombardo's permanent replacement was later announced to be Paul Bostaph,[9] who was previously the band's drummer from 1992 to 2001, appearing on several albums.

On May 2, 2013, Jeff Hanneman died of liver failure in a Los Angeles hospital.[10][11] A week later, the official cause of death was announced as alcohol-related cirrhosis. Hanneman and his family had apparently been unaware of the extent of condition until shortly before his death.[12] King had announced his desire for the band to continue, but Araya was more uncertain, stating, "After 30 years, it would literally be like starting over," and expressing doubts that Slayer's fanbase would approve of such a change.[13] In March 2015, Araya revealed that the band had recorded one song prior to Hanneman's passing, and that the song would appear on the album.[14] The result was the song "Piano Wire". Araya explained that Hanneman would be a part on the album[15] when King later dismissed the claim saying, "Jeff Hanneman isn't physically playing on this record. Somebody reported some bullshit. People say shit when they don't know what's actually going on. Even though Jeff's song, "Piano Wire", was recorded during the last album cycle, I played all the guitar. I've been doing that for years. Since he has no lead on that song, he's not on it."[16]

Writing and production

[edit]

The album's writing process started in November 2011, announced by Lombardo through Twitter.[17] King later said that he and Lombardo had been working on music prior to the holidays and that they had completed three songs, in addition to three outtakes from the previous record.[18] It was initially hoped that the album would be ready for release by summer of 2012,[18] but this did not come to fruition. Frontman Tom Araya later said that the album would be pushed back to a 2013 release,[19] but this idea fell through.[20]

In addition, King had noted that two of the new songs had been fully recorded and that there was a possibility that they might be released as an EP,[21] but the idea was later dismissed.[22] King announced the songs' titles as "Chasing Death" and "Implode."[23] Araya announced that the band would start writing the new album upon completion of the 2012 Mayhem Festival tour, which ended in August of that year.[24] Since their recorded songs still needed to be mixed, King announced in a late August 2012 interview that there had been a twelve-day window where the band had been able to "hijack Greg Fidelman from Metallica" for further production on the album. By then, the band had two songs that were missing lead guitar parts and vocals and had recorded six demos. In addition, King said that the band had yet to record three more demos.[25]

In February 2013 during an interview with Eddie Trunk, King declared that, while Hanneman still had not been involved with the album, the band was waiting for label issues to be resolved before recording. King stated that he and Lombardo had eight songs that they were working on, as well. When asked about whether or not Exodus guitarist Gary Holt, who had been filling in for Hanneman during live shows, would play on the record, King denied it, saying that he would handle all guitars except for Hanneman's lead parts. King also said that Hanneman had yet to offer up any material for the album.[22] Araya later contradicted King's statement about Hanneman and stated that Hanneman had been working on material for the album.[26] Shortly after Hanneman's death, Araya revealed that Hanneman had gone so far as to send Araya music that he had been working on,[27] and Araya later said that some of this material—including an outtake from World Painted Blood—may make it onto the album.[28]

Even prior to Hanneman's death, King had expressed doubt as to who would even play on the album. He stated that if work on the album could be done in June 2013, then it was hoped that the album could be out by the following September or October.[8] After Hanneman's passing, Holt was asked if he will be featured on the album, to which he replied that he would probably be playing some solos on the album, but that the rest of the guitar work would all be King.[29] King later confirmed this sentiment, but explained that Holt would not be participating in any of the writing, noting: "fans aren't ready for it."[30]

According to Holt, recording for the album was expected to commence at the end of 2013.[29] King later stated that there were plans to begin recording in January 2014.[31] King further revealed that he and drummer Paul Bostaph have recorded 11 songs on a demo, while also working on some additional tracks, seven of which had complete lyrics.[32] On April 24, 2014, Slayer offered a free download of "Implode,"[33] their first song in five years as well as their first recording to feature Holt on guitar. Additionally, it is the first recording to feature Bostaph on drums since 2001's God Hates Us All. On the same day, it was announced that Slayer had signed to Nuclear Blast, and would release their eleventh studio album in early 2015.[34][35]

In 2017, Holt talked about recording the guitar solos, "That's one of my favorites on the album. I'm never blown away by anything I've done musically. I always want to redo it five minutes after I'm done with it. That goes down to songwriting too - it's never going to be perfect. Nothing's perfect. So yeah, I went in and did all the solos for that album in a day. I just sat down with a six pack of beer with Kerry and Terry Date. They just let me do my own thing. Tom came in after I had been messing around with a solo for a half an hour and he told me the first take was perfect. I told him they've got to let me know because I'll keep going over it and sometimes you lose a good thing when that happens. You've got to know when to just let it go and keep it whether it's raw or rough or perfect or maybe there a little bit of magic in there."[36]

Music and lyrics

[edit]

In an interview, King described "Chasing Death" as being about alcoholism: "it's like people who drink too much. They don't help themselves out so they're chasing death." He explained "Implode" as being about the end of the world.[23] The album featured one song, "Piano Wire", that was written by Hanneman prior to his passing.

In October 2014, the band revealed plans to release a new song, entitled "When the Stillness Comes," via Scion AV, an "in-house record label and lifestyle marketing division" of Toyota's Scion brand.[37] The song was released for Record Store Day on April 18, 2015.[38] On June 19, 2015, Slayer made the title track available for streaming on YouTube.[39] On August 31, 2015, Slayer released "Cast the First Stone," another track on the album, via the Adult Swim singles program.[40] On September 3, 2015, a behind the scenes mini-documentary looking at the making of the music video for the album's title track was released by Rolling Stone.[41]

Reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic70/100[42]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStar[43]
BillboardStarStarStar[44]
Classic RockStarStarStarStar[45]
Exclaim!7/10[46]
The GuardianStarStarStarStar[47]
The New York TimesStarStarStarHalf star[48]
Record CollectorStarStar[49]
Rolling StoneStarStarStar[50]
Spin6/10[51]
UncutStarStarStarHalf star[42]

In April 2014, the band released "Implode" for free. Rolling Stone said the song "plays out like classic Slayer," although the lyrics were described as "expect[ed]" subject matter.[52] Alex Young of Consequences of Sound called the song a "pummeling assault of metal music."[53] In January 2015, the album, yet to be titled at the time, was mentioned by Loudwire as one of the "30 Most Anticipated Rock + Metal Albums of 2015," alongside expected albums by bands like Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Anthrax, Megadeth, Testament, Metallica and Tool.[54] Repentless sold 49,000 copies in its first week and debuted number four on the US Billboard 200, the band's highest position in its native country.[55] The album fell to number 34 on the Billboard 200 in its second week, selling 11,000 copies.[56] Seven weeks after being released, Repentless sold over 80,000 copies in the US.[57]

Repentless received generally positive reviews on Metacritic. Writing for Exclaim!, Greg Pratt said that Repentless "isn't going to be one of the classic Slayer albums, but there's still plenty of good thrash to be found."[46] Journalist J.C. Maçek III of Spectrum Culture wrote "The truth is that it might be easy to dismiss Slayer after almost 35 years as a nostalgic metal act. This would be a travesty and a mistake. Slayer not only has something new to say on Repentless, but a new way to say it."[58] AllMusic writer Thom Jurek gave the album three out of five stars, calling Repentless "a retro, workmanlike effort from a band determined to soldier on, and that's fine. There are hardcore devotees who never want their favorite bands to change; this is for them. But again, given all that's transpired since 2009, Slayer get points for even pulling this off."[43] The Guardian stated that "Slayer have always been a model of consistency and a band that fans of vicious, vein-bursting heavy metal can rely on."[47] Kim Kelly, writing in Spin was less enthusiastic, calling the album "middling" and stating that it "mostly falls flat."[51]

Accolades

[edit]

Year-end rankings

Publication Accolade Rank
OC Weekly The 10 Best Metal Albums of 2015
2[59]
Rolling Stone 20 Best Metal Albums of 2015
15[60]

Decade-end rankings

Publication Accolade Rank
Discogs The 200 Best Albums of the 2010s
97[61]
Kerrang! The 75 Best Albums of the 2010s
61[62]
Louder Sound The 50 Best Metal Albums of the 2010s
18[63]

Track listing

[edit]

All songs written by Kerry King & Tom Araya except where noted[64]

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Delusions of Saviour" (instrumental)King1:55
2."Repentless" 3:19
3."Take Control" 3:14
4."Vices" 3:32
5."Cast the First Stone" 3:43
6."When the Stillness Comes" 4:20
7."Chasing Death" 3:45
8."Implode" 3:49
9."Piano Wire"Jeff Hanneman2:49
10."Atrocity Vendor"King2:55
11."You Against You" 4:20
12."Pride in Prejudice" 4:14
Total length:41:55
Japanese edition bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
13."War Ensemble" (live at Wacken 2014)Araya, Hanneman4:59
14."Black Magic" (live at Wacken 2014)King, Hanneman3:53
Total length:50:47

Personnel

[edit]

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Poland (ZPAV)[99] Gold 10,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Repentless

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Repentless is the twelfth and final studio album by the American thrash metal band Slayer, released on September 11, 2015, through Nuclear Blast Records. It serves as the follow-up to the band's 2009 album World Painted Blood and represents their return after a six-year recording hiatus. The album was produced by Terry Date and features the lineup of vocalist and bassist Tom Araya, guitarists Kerry King and Gary Holt, and drummer Paul Bostaph, marking the first Slayer studio release with Holt as a primary guitarist following the 2013 death of founding member Jeff Hanneman. One track, the title song, stands as a tribute to Hanneman, who also contributed a composition to the record before his passing. The album consists of twelve tracks, including "Delusions of Saviour," "Take Control," "Vices," "Cast the First Stone," and "Atrocity Vendor," blending aggressive thrash riffs with themes of violence, , and personal conflict. Repentless was recorded primarily at Henson Studios in , with Bostaph rejoining the band in 2013 after Dave Lombardo's departure, bringing a renewed intensity to the drumming. Holt, who had been touring with since 2011 as a replacement for Hanneman, provides guitar solos throughout, contributing to the album's ferocious sound. Upon release, Repentless debuted at number 4 on the chart, selling 50,000 copies in its first week and achieving the band's highest chart positions in several countries, including number 1 in and number 3 in and . It earned positive reviews for its raw energy and marked Slayer's last studio effort before their retirement from touring in 2019. The title track's won the 2015 Loudwire Music Award for Best Metal Video.

Background and development

Band context

Following the release of their 2009 album , Slayer experienced significant lineup instability that shaped the path to Repentless. Drummer , who had rejoined the band in 2006 after a 14-year absence, was dismissed in February 2013 amid a contract dispute over compensation and profit-sharing. , who previously drummed for from 1994 to 2001, returned as a full-time member in May 2013, marking his second stint with the group. Concurrently, founding guitarist , sidelined since early 2011 by —a severe flesh-eating bacterial infection initially attributed to a possible spider bite—made only sporadic appearances before his death from liver on May 2, 2013, at age 49. Exodus guitarist Gary Holt, who had been filling in for Hanneman on tour since 2011, became a permanent member shortly after. This resulted in the lineup of vocalist/bassist , guitarist , Holt, and Bostaph, which would record Repentless. The six-year hiatus between World Painted Blood and Repentless stemmed primarily from Hanneman's deteriorating health, which halted band activities as early work on new material began in 2011 but progressed unevenly. Lombardo's exit further disrupted momentum, while Araya underwent cervical spine surgery in 2010 to address chronic neck pain from decades of , requiring recovery time. Band members also pursued personal endeavors during this period; Araya focused on managing his family farm in , and King explored ideas for a solo project, though it remained unrealized at the time. These factors delayed full songwriting and recording until after the lineup solidified in 2013. In April 2014, Slayer announced their departure from longtime label American Recordings after 28 years and signed an exclusive worldwide deal with Nuclear Blast Records through their own imprint, signaling a fresh start for what would become their twelfth and final studio album, Repentless, slated for early 2015. The title and September 11, 2015, release date were revealed in June 2015. Araya described the album as an aggressive return to Slayer's roots, driven by personal resolve in the wake of Hanneman's passing, stating it captured the band's unyielding intensity despite the loss: "We had to prove to ourselves that we could still do it." He expressed initial apprehension about the band's future without Hanneman but emphasized the motivation to honor their legacy through raw, high-speed .

Writing process

Kerry King took the lead in the songwriting for Repentless, composing the majority of the riffs and lyrics after beginning work on material in 2011 amid Jeff Hanneman's declining health. He aimed to channel Slayer's classic thrash intensity, prioritizing rapid tempos and aggressive structures reminiscent of the band's early albums like Reign in Blood. This approach was shaped by the band's recent lineup changes, including Hanneman's death in May 2013 and Dave Lombardo's departure earlier that year, which left King as the primary creative force. Tom Araya contributed vocal melodies and refined thematic elements, particularly in response to the emotional impact of Hanneman's passing, with the album ultimately dedicated to his memory. Araya expressed initial apprehension about proceeding without Hanneman but focused on ensuring the material retained Slayer's signature ferocity while honoring their late guitarist. Drummer Paul Bostaph, rejoining after Lombardo's exit, helped shape the rhythmic arrangements to support King's riffs, emphasizing precision and power. Specific tracks drew from personal and historical inspirations during this phase. The title track "Repentless" emerged from rehearsal sessions and reflected Hanneman's unyielding commitment to , capturing a defiant of living without remorse. In contrast, "Piano Wire"—Hanneman's sole contribution, originating from a 2009 demo—stemmed from his fascination with history, particularly the Nazi regime's use of for public executions as a form of and deterrence. From an initial pool of around 18 demos assembled by , the band selected 12 tracks for the album, honing in on those that best recaptured Slayer's raw speed and unrelenting aggression while incorporating Hanneman's remnants to maintain continuity. This curation process involved collaborative refinements, with Araya and Bostaph providing feedback to ensure cohesion before moving to recording.

Recording and production

The recording of Repentless took place at Henson Recording Studios in , , spanning from August 2014 to mid-January 2015, under the production and engineering of . This marked the band's first collaboration with Date, known for his work with acts like and , who was brought on to capture a raw, aggressive sound following the departure of longtime producer . Drummer Paul Bostaph tracked his parts with a focus on authenticity and immediacy, typically running through five takes per song—using the first as a warm-up, the second and third for refinement, and subsequent ones for experimentation—while prioritizing raw energy over perfection. Date's production approach emphasized minimal overdubs to preserve a live, unpolished feel, incorporating open , no triggers, and natural resonance from dual s to enhance the album's crusty, aggressive tone. Gary Holt recorded his solos in a single day using a Kemper profiler loaded with profiles derived from modified Marshall amps, such as the 1987 JCM 800, alongside Peavey XXX and Engl setups, contributing to the sharp, high-gain guitar tones. Vocalist benefited from Date's guidance during tracking, which helped him deliver more forceful performances by providing reassurance and direction, resulting in what Araya described as "fucking awesome" vocal takes that aligned with the album's heightened aggression. The band drew from riffs and ideas contributed during the writing phase to shape the sessions, ensuring a cohesive transition from composition to execution. Mixing was handled by Date at Henson Studios, with additional engineering by Peter Mack, before the album was mastered by at Howie Weinberg Mastering in . This process maintained the record's brutal intensity, with Weinberg's mastering adding final polish to the without compromising its edge.

Musical style and themes

Composition

Repentless embodies the core elements of , featuring rapid tempos in tracks such as "Repentless" and "Take Control," aggressive double-kick drumming, and palm-muted guitar riffs that evoke the raw intensity of Slayer's seminal work . The album's structure prioritizes concise, high-energy compositions, with guitarists and Gary Holt delivering interlocking riffs and searing lead solos that propel the music forward without deviation from the band's established ferocity. Drummer anchors the sound with precise, driving rhythms, including relentless double-kick patterns that underscore the album's thrash foundation, while bassist and vocalist Tom Araya's delivery provides a harsh, rhythmic bite that integrates seamlessly with the instrumentation. On "Vices," Bostaph's aggressive percussion stands out, contributing to the track's mid-tempo groove and overall momentum. Holt's solos, in particular, add melodic flair amid the chaos, as heard in "Atrocity ," where they cut through the mix with technical precision. Most songs clock in at 3 to 4 minutes, maintaining a taut pacing across the 41-minute runtime, though variations occur; for instance, "When the Stillness Comes" runs 4:21 and shifts to slower tempos with atmospheric clean guitar intros and brooding breakdowns that build tension before erupting. This track's structure contrasts the album's predominant speed, offering a momentary respite while staying rooted in Slayer's dark aesthetic. Produced by , the album's sound achieves a flawless balance of clarity—allowing each instrument to cut distinctly—and unyielding heaviness, marking a return to uncompromised aggression that diverges from the occasional softer, experimental passages in prior releases like . This production approach amplifies the thrash elements, ensuring the riffs and drums hit with maximum impact.

The lyrics of Repentless predominantly explore themes of defiance against religion, , environmental catastrophe, and historical violence, reflecting Slayer's longstanding interest in subjects such as , the , and human depravity. Guitarist , who penned the majority of the words, infused the album with his avowed atheist perspective, using vivid, confrontational imagery to critique organized faith and societal ills without apology. This approach maintains the band's signature , shifting toward more pointed social observations compared to the abstract horror elements in some earlier works, while incorporating subtle tributes to late guitarist amid the aggression. The title track "Repentless" exemplifies King's rejection of religious , portraying a world of "arrogance, violence" where is mocked as a tool for and control, with lines like "No wonder people of obsess / All it wants a man to do is confess." King described the song as a direct homage to Hanneman, dubbing it the "Hannemanthem" to honor his bandmate's unyielding spirit in the face of illness and death, blending personal loss with anti-religious fury. Similarly, "," originally written by Hanneman for the prior album , serves as another tribute, its depicting a traitor's tense plot in the "wolves' lair" amid rising body counts and inescapable nightmares—drawing from the 1944 failed assassination attempt on at , evoking themes of vengeance and wartime atrocity through garrote-like imagery of strangulation and betrayal. Other tracks delve into personal and global ruin, underscoring themes of vengeance and self-inflicted harm. "Chasing Death" addresses addictive, fast-lane lifestyles hastening mortality, inspired by the 2012 overdose death of 's guitar technician Armand Crump; framed it around alcoholism's grip, while vocalist interpreted it as individuals "chasing death" through reckless choices that invite an early end. In a vein of broader vengeance against humanity, "Implode" critiques mankind's despoliation of the planet, envisioning Earth's retaliation and the species' ultimate extermination, with noting it as a warning of inevitable collapse rather than tying it explicitly to apocalyptic prophecies like the Mayan calendar. "Atrocity Vendor" shifts to interpersonal savagery, portraying a methodical sociopath as an "equal-opportunity offender" reveling in terror and murder, voyeuristically feeding on victims' suffering to sustain power—aligning with Slayer's recurrent motif of psychology as a form of unchecked personal vendetta. Across the album, these lyrics preserve Slayer's provocative edge, using historical events and contemporary critiques to amplify aggression, as seen in dedications that weave Hanneman's influence into tracks like "Repentless" and "Piano Wire" without softening the band's unrelenting tone.

Release and promotion

Singles and music videos

The lead single from Repentless was "When the Stillness Comes", released on April 18, 2015, as a limited-edition 7" picture disc vinyl for Record Store Day, limited to 5,000 copies worldwide. No official music video was produced for the track, though an early version audio premiere was shared online. The title track "Repentless" served as the next promotional single, with its audio premiering on June 19, 2015, accompanied by an official visualizer video uploaded to YouTube. A limited-edition two-song CD single featuring the track was issued exclusively through Best Buy on August 28, 2015, in a run of 4,500 copies. The full music video for "Repentless" debuted on September 11, 2015, coinciding with the album release, and was directed by BJ McDonnell. It presents a cinematic narrative of a brutal prison riot and escape, starring actors including Danny Trejo, Richard Brake, and Jessica Pimentel, blended with live performance clips of the band filmed at the Sybil Brand Institute in Los Angeles. Post-album promotion continued with two additional singles, each with directed by McDonnell that extended the storyline into a three-part emphasizing themes of vengeance and . "You Against You" was released on March 16, 2016, with its video depicting the protagonist's pursuit of revenge outside walls. "Pride in Prejudice" followed as the final single on September 6, 2016, concluding the narrative through scenes of confrontation and resolution. These videos were primarily distributed via , highlighting Slayer's direct-to-fan promotional approach in the digital era.

Packaging and formats

The artwork for Repentless was designed by Brazilian artist Marcelo Vasco in collaboration with members and . It depicts a demonic, flame-engulfed figure being tormented in a hellish , visually embodying themes of unrepentant defiance and aggression central to the album's title track, which serves as a tribute to late guitarist . The include dedications to Hanneman, acknowledging his influence and the inclusion of his unfinished composition "Piano Wire" from earlier sessions. Repentless was released on September 11, 2015, by Nuclear Blast Records internationally, including in the United States where it was pressed by DADC. The album was made available in standard formats such as in a jewel case, double LP vinyl (pressed on 180-gram black vinyl in a sleeve), limited colored vinyl variants (including transparent red with orange/black splatter and red/blue splatter editions), and digital download. A deluxe edition CD included a bonus live CD featuring Slayer's full performance from the 2014 Wacken Open Air festival, capturing tracks like "Angel of Death" and "Raining Blood." Some regional deluxe versions, such as the Japanese edition, added a Blu-ray with the Wacken live set and behind-the-scenes footage from the album's production, along with exclusive bonus live tracks "War Ensemble" and "Black Magic." Special editions expanded the physical offerings, including a limited "Metal Eagle" box set (only 3,000 copies worldwide) housing the deluxe digipak CD, bonus , Blu-ray/DVD of the Wacken show and making-of , a fold-out , sticker, and numbered certificate, all encased in a 7-pound . Another collector's item was the 2018 limited numbered reissue box set on six 6.66-inch red 45 RPM vinyl singles. In 2023, Nuclear Blast reissued the on orange as part of ongoing vinyl and tape variants. For the 's 10th anniversary in 2025, Nuclear Blast released a limited edition on 180-gram crystal clear, silver, and red splattered vinyl.

Critical reception

Reviews

Upon its release, Repentless garnered generally positive reviews from music critics, earning an aggregate score of 70 out of 100 on based on 19 reviews, with commentators often noting the album's emotional resonance in the wake of guitarist Jeff Hanneman's death in 2013. Of these, 63% were positive, praising the band's return to aggressive thrash roots, while 37% were mixed, critiquing its adherence to formula over innovation. Metal Hammer lauded the album for recapturing Slayer's signature thrash intensity, calling it "prime fucking Slayer" and arguably the band's finest work in decades, with exceptional riffs on tracks like the title song and "Atrocity Vendor," and highlighting guitarist Gary Holt's seamless integration. Similarly, Pitchfork described it as "solid," commending drummer Paul Bostaph's dependable performance that brought back some '90s groove elements, though acknowledging it fell short of classic status. Mixed responses pointed to a lack of fresh ideas amid familiar territory. Rolling Stone awarded 3 out of 5 stars, noting the album's diminishing returns and absence of surprises, which made it feel like a competent but unexciting retread of Slayer's sound. AllMusic gave 3.5 out of 5 stars, describing the riffs as solid yet formulaic, effective for headbanging but unlikely to redefine the band's legacy. Fan reception was more divided, with an average user score of 2.82 out of 5 on from 4,100 ratings, where enthusiasts appreciated how the album's high-energy tracks translated well to live settings, maintaining Slayer's visceral appeal.

Accolades

Upon its release, the music video for the title track "Repentless," directed by BJ McDonnell and featuring actor , received significant recognition in the metal community. It won Best Metal Video at the 5th Annual Music Awards in 2015, highlighting its intense depiction of justice and the band's enduring visual style. The video was also nominated for Best Video at the 2016 , competing against entries from , , and others, though it did not take home the award. Additionally, Repentless earned nominations in other categories at the Loudwire Music Awards, including Best Metal Song and Best Metal Album, reflecting critical and fan appreciation for the album's aggressive thrash sound amid the band's personal challenges.

Commercial performance

Chart performance

Repentless achieved significant commercial success upon its release, debuting at number 4 on the US chart and marking Slayer's highest-charting album in their home country. In its first week, the album sold 49,000 pure copies and 50,000 equivalent units, according to Nielsen SoundScan . It also reached number 2 on the Top Rock Albums and Top Albums charts, number 1 on the Independent Albums chart, and number 2 on the Top Album Sales chart. Internationally, Repentless performed strongly, topping the German Albums Chart for the first time in Slayer's career and securing top-five positions in multiple countries. The album peaked at number 11 on the . In , it debuted at number 3 on the Albums Chart, another career best for the band.
CountryChartPeak PositionSource
Billboard 2004Blabbermouth
Top Hard Rock Albums2Blabbermouth
German Albums Chart1Nuclear Blast
UK Albums Chart11Official Charts
ARIA Albums Chart3Eddie Trunk
On year-end charts, Repentless ranked at number 17 on Billboard's Top Hard Rock Albums of 2015, reflecting its sustained popularity within the genre. The title track "Repentless" also charted successfully as a single, peaking at number 4 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.

Certifications

Repentless achieved Gold certification in Poland on July 8, 2016, by the Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry (ZPAV) for sales exceeding 10,000 units. This marked one of the few formal certifications for the album, reflecting its solid performance in select international markets despite the band's established legacy. Unlike several of Slayer's earlier albums—such as (Platinum in the ), , , and Divine Intervention (all Gold in the )—Repentless did not receive in the United States, where it sold over 80,000 copies in its first seven weeks but fell short of the 500,000-unit threshold for Gold status. By 2025, Repentless had amassed over 381 million streams on , equivalent to approximately 254,000 album units under current streaming guidelines (1,500 streams per unit), contributing significantly to its overall commercial footprint as a final release from a veteran act. This digital success underscores its enduring appeal, particularly among global audiences, even without broader traditional certifications in major markets like the or .

Track listing and personnel

Track listing

All songs on Repentless were written primarily by , with receiving co-writing credits on the lyrics for "Implode", "You Against You", and "Pride in Prejudice"; the music for was solely credited to the late . The standard edition features the following 12 tracks, with a total runtime of 41:57.
No.TitleDurationWriter(s)
1."Delusions of Saviour"1:55Kerry King
2."Repentless"3:19Kerry King
3."Take Control"3:13Kerry King
4."Vices"3:32Kerry King
5."Cast the First Stone"3:43Kerry King
6."When the Stillness Comes"4:21Kerry King
7."Chasing Death"3:46Kerry King
8."Implode"3:57Kerry King (music), Tom Araya and Kerry King (lyrics)
9."Piano Wire"4:23Jeff Hanneman
10."Atrocity Vendor"2:51Kerry King
11."You Against You"4:21Kerry King (music), Tom Araya and Kerry King (lyrics)
12."Pride in Prejudice"4:14Kerry King (music), Tom Araya and Kerry King (lyrics)
The deluxe edition includes the standard tracks plus bonus content on DVD or Blu-ray, featuring live performances from Slayer's set at 2014, such as "Angel of Death" and "Mandatory Suicide", alongside a documentary on the album's making. The Japanese edition adds two bonus live tracks: "War Ensemble" and "Angel of Death" from Wacken 2014.

Personnel

The lineup for Slayer's Repentless consisted of on lead vocals and , on , Gary Holt on , and on drums, with Araya performing bass on all tracks and no session musicians involved. The album's production was led by , who served as producer, engineer, and mixer at Henson Recording Studios in Hollywood, California, with additional engineering by Peter Mack and assistant engineering by Derrick Stockwell. Mastering was performed by at Howie Weinberg Mastering in , . Technical support included John Araya as studio and guitar , as well as Gene Provenico and John Gross as studio drum technicians. The cover artwork was designed by Marcelo Vasco in collaboration with and , while photography was provided by Andrew Stuart. There were no guest appearances on the album, which includes a dedication and tribute to late founding guitarist through the title track and his composition "."

Touring and legacy

World tour

Following the September 2015 release of Repentless, launched their supporting world tour in February 2016 with an initial North American leg, featuring special guests Testament and Carcass on all dates. The 16-show run began at Chicago's and concluded in , allowing the band to showcase material from their latest album alongside career classics. This marked the start of an intensive touring schedule that spanned multiple continents and included festival appearances. The tour expanded later that year with a fall North American outing alongside and , comprising over 30 dates across the U.S. and , and a European leg that featured high-profile festivals such as in , , on June 19. Setlists during these performances heavily emphasized Repentless tracks like the title song "Repentless" and "Take Control," integrated with enduring staples including "," "Angel of Death," and "," reflecting the band's blend of new aggression and established intensity. By the end of 2018, Slayer had completed more than 240 shows worldwide in promotion of the album, demonstrating sustained and their enduring live prowess. In January 2018, Slayer announced their farewell tour, framing it as the final chapter in supporting Repentless and their overall career, with the trek kicking off that May and incorporating the album's songs into expanded setlists alongside rotating deep cuts. The farewell run visited , , , , and , culminating in two final shows at The Forum in , on November 29–30, 2019, where Repentless tracks such as "Repentless" and "Blood Red" remained prominent fixtures. These performances, attended by sold-out crowds, served as an emotional capstone to the tour's global scope and the band's 38-year legacy.

Impact and final years

Repentless marked the culmination of Slayer's career, serving as the band's final studio album before their announcement on January 24, 2018, which initiated the Final World Tour spanning from May 2018 to November 2019 and comprising nearly 150 performances worldwide. The tour concluded with the group's last concert on November 30, 2019, at The Forum in , where they heavily featured tracks from Repentless, including the title song and others that underscored the album's aggressive thrash sound as a fitting endpoint to their legacy. This era highlighted Slayer's enduring intensity despite lineup changes, with guitarist Gary Holt and drummer solidifying the post-Jeff Hanneman and configuration that defined the album's production. The album's release and subsequent touring contributed to a revival in the mid-2010s, inspiring newer acts by demonstrating the genre's continued relevance and ferocity; for instance, band Power Trip, whose 2017 album drew from Slayer's raw aggression, referenced as a pivotal influence while embodying the high-energy style echoed in Repentless. By 2020, Repentless saw reissues that bolstered its accessibility, including a European vinyl edition and inclusion in limited box sets, helping maintain its presence amid Slayer's retirement. Post-retirement, Repentless experienced renewed visibility through streaming spikes tied to anniversary commemorations and the band's sporadic 2024 reunion appearances at festivals like and , where sets revisited material from the album alongside classics, resulting in dramatic increases in monthly listeners—such as a 2,576.8% surge noted in late 2024. In October 2025, announced a one-off scheduled for to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their album . This resurgence affirmed the album's role in sustaining 's catalog engagement beyond their active years. Culturally, the Repentless period was immortalized in the short film : The Repentless Killogy, directed by B.J. McDonnell, which intertwined a of vengeance and retribution with full live footage of the band's August 5, 2017, performance at The Forum, capturing the era's thematic brutality and musical prowess. Released theatrically on November 6, , and later on Blu-ray in 2020, the film provided a cinematic closure to 's touring phase, emphasizing Repentless as a symbol of unyielding metal defiance. By , these elements have cemented the album's place in thrash history, influencing discussions on the genre's evolution and the band's indelible impact.

References

  1. https://www.nuclearblast.com/products/slayer-repentless-cd
  2. https://www.slayer.net/products/repentless
  3. https://m.facebook.com/slayer/photos/repentless-the-12th-studio-album-from-the-iconic-thrashmetal-band-slayer-and-the/10153573397095390/
  4. https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/21001-repentless/
  5. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/on-the-charts-slayer-capture-best-debut-with-repentless-62608/
  6. https://blabbermouth.net/news/slayers-repentless-cracks-u-s-top-5
  7. https://loudwire.com/5th-annual-loudwire-music-awards-complete-winners-list/
  8. https://www.nme.com/news/music/slayer-13-1253991
  9. https://loudwire.com/slayer-drummer-paul-bostaph-rejoins-band-full-time-basis/
  10. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/slayer-guitarist-jeff-hanneman-died-of-alcohol-related-cirrhosis-66482/
  11. https://loudwire.com/songs-slayer-never-played-live/
  12. https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-ca-ms-slayer-20150927-story.html
  13. https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/slayers-tom-araya-on-jeff-hanneman-i-feel-like-i-should-have-done-more-to-help-him
  14. https://www.guitarworld.com/magazine/how-slayers-kerry-king-and-tom-araya-focused-their-fury-their-crushing-new-album-repentless
  15. https://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=102185
  16. https://www.horrorsociety.com/2015/06/22/slayer-reveals-repentless-album-cover-and-visual-teaser-for-title-track/
  17. https://www.theskinny.co.uk/music/interviews/slayer-interviewed
  18. https://www.loudersound.com/news/tom-araya-feared-lop-sided-slayer-album
  19. https://www.revolvermag.com/music/slayer-talk-death-jeff-hanneman-new-comeback-album-repentless/
  20. https://blabbermouth.net/news/slayers-tom-araya-was-apprehensive-about-how-repentless-album-was-going-to-come-together
  21. https://loudwire.com/slayer-tom-araya-jeff-hanneman-would-have-been-proud-repentless/
  22. https://eddietrunk.com/slayer-guitarist-kerry-king-calls-departed-band-member-jeff-hanneman-worm-food-in-new-interview/
  23. https://www.revolvermag.com/music/slayer-talk-death-jeff-hanneman-new-comeback-album-repentless
  24. https://www.nuclearblast.com/blogs/news/slayer-album-now-available-for-pre-order-3914123
  25. https://www.loudersound.com/news/slayer-praise-producer-for-repentless-sound
  26. https://drummagazine.com/paul-bostaph-mission-of-brutality/
  27. https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/interviews/gary_holt_how_i_recorded_the_solos_for_latest_slayer_album.html
  28. https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/slayer-drummer-paul-bostaph-new-album-repentless-jeff-hanneman-6619987/
  29. https://www.discogs.com/release/7534274-Slayer-Repentless
  30. https://blabbermouth.net/reviews/repentless
  31. https://www.discogs.com/master/877731-Slayer-Repentless
  32. https://www.metal-revolution.com/reviews/slayer-repentless
  33. https://genius.com/albums/Slayer/Repentless
  34. https://www.kerrang.com/slayer-the-stories-behind-20-of-their-biggest-songs
  35. https://genius.com/Slayer-repentless-lyrics
  36. https://www.loudersound.com/news/slayer-name-11th-album-repentless
  37. https://www.songfacts.com/facts/slayer/piano-wire
  38. https://genius.com/Slayer-piano-wire-lyrics
  39. https://www.songfacts.com/facts/slayer/chasing-death
  40. https://www.loudersound.com/news/slayer-kerry-king-double-death-jeff-hanneman-roadie
  41. https://genius.com/Slayer-implode-lyrics
  42. https://www.songfacts.com/facts/slayer/implode
  43. https://genius.com/Slayer-atrocity-vendor-lyrics
  44. https://metalnerd.net/slayer-to-release-7-single-of-new-track-when-the-stillness-comes/
  45. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iP2njx-0mY0
  46. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uivxr3O6rSE
  47. https://www.theprp.com/2015/08/29/news/slayer-release-limited-edition-repentless-cd-single/
  48. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjb0j9l1sz4
  49. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7074584/
  50. https://loudwire.com/slayer-all-star-cast-repentless-music-video/
  51. https://www.nuclearblast.com/blogs/news/slayer-about-the-repentless-video-trilogy-4467757
  52. https://blabbermouth.net/news/slayer-repentless-cover-artist-i-just-wanted-to-make-it-look-like-one-of-the-classic-covers
  53. https://www.antimusic.com/news/15/June/17Slayer_Reveal_Awesome_Repentless_Album_Cover.shtml
  54. https://crackmagazine.net/2015/06/slayer-reveal-repentless-album-artwork/
  55. https://www.songfacts.com/facts/slayer/repentless
  56. https://eddietrunk.com/slayer-announces-the-limited-repentless-metal-eagle-edition/
  57. https://blabbermouth.net/news/slayer-to-release-repentless-album-on-911
  58. https://www.discogs.com/release/7461684-Slayer-Repentless
  59. https://shop.nuclearblast.com/products/slayer-repentless
  60. https://blabbermouth.net/news/slayer-repentless-cover-artwork-unveiled
  61. https://www.discogs.com/release/7459392-Slayer-Repentless
  62. https://blabbermouth.net/news/slayer-repentless-metal-eagle-edition-content-revealed
  63. https://www.discogs.com/release/12099641-Slayer-Repentless
  64. https://blabbermouth.net/news/slayers-repentless-to-be-released-on-orange-cassette
  65. https://www.nuclearblast.com/products/slayer-repentless-lp-10th-anniversary-edition
  66. https://www.metacritic.com/music/repentless/slayer
  67. https://www.metacritic.com/music/repentless/slayer/critic-reviews
  68. https://www.loudersound.com/reviews/slayer-repentless
  69. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/repentless-125790/
  70. https://www.allmusic.com/album/repentless-mw0002854340
  71. https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/slayer/repentless/
  72. https://metalinsider.net/award-show-battles/metal-hammer-golden-gods-announce-nominations-for-2016
  73. https://loudwire.com/best-metal-song-2015-5th-annual-loudwire-music-awards/
  74. https://loudwire.com/best-metal-album-2015-5th-annual-loudwire-music-awards/
  75. https://www.nuclearblast.com/blogs/news/slayer-1-in-german-album-charts-4035513
  76. https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/24318/slayer/
  77. https://eddietrunk.com/slayers-repentless-makes-career-highest-debut-on-billboards-top-200-albums-charts/
  78. https://blabbermouth.net/news/acdcs-rock-or-bust-tops-billboards-year-end-hard-rock-albums-chart
  79. https://loudwire.com/top-mainstream-rock-songs-all-time-billboard/
  80. https://blabbermouth.net/news/slayers-repentless-certified-gold-in-poland
  81. https://therockrevival.com/rock-news/10-years-ago-today-slayer-release-their-final-studio-album-repentless/
  82. https://kworb.net/spotify/artist/1IQ2e1buppatiN1bxUVkrk_albums.html
  83. https://www.herfitzpr.net/slayer-repentless-cd-credits
  84. https://www.discogs.com/release/7420128-Slayer-Repentless
  85. https://www.heavy-metal.it/slayer-drummer-paul-bostaph-on-guitarist-gary-holt-if-he-writes-anything-for-the-next-record-its-gonna-be-killer-because-he-gets-it/
  86. https://www.nuclearblast.com/blogs/news/slayer-reveal-repentless-album-artwork-3911269
  87. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/slayer-announce-first-north-american-leg-of-repentless-tour-52896/
  88. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YX0mgG_roCQ
  89. https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/slayer/2016/val-de-moine-clisson-france-7bfe6ab4.html
  90. https://www.setlist.fm/stats/slayer-63d68e3b.html?tour=13d669e1
  91. https://www.concertarchives.org/bands/slayer
  92. https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/slayer/2019/the-forum-inglewood-ca-6b9a22e6.html
  93. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jan/24/slayer-split-after-tour
  94. https://www.slayer.net/products/repentless-tour-final-world-tour
  95. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Phc0slQqb-8
  96. https://loudwire.com/power-trip-nightmare-logic-interview/
  97. https://www.hhv.de/en-GB/records/item/slayer-repentless-1206366
  98. https://www.discogs.com/release/12104463-Slayer-Repentless
  99. https://app.chartmetric.com/artist/5637
  100. https://blabbermouth.net/news/watch-slayer-plays-second-reunion-concert-at-sacramentos-aftershock-festival
  101. https://hellorayo.co.uk/planet-rock/news/rock-news/slayer-reign-in-blood-concert
  102. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11062388/
  103. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcC9BjLkHhc
  104. https://www.kerrang.com/evil-never-dies-a-farewell-tribute-to-the-timeless-thrash-metal-genius-of-slayer
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.