World Painted Blood
by Slayer
  • Record Label: Sony
  • Release Date: Nov 3, 2009
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. NOW Magazine
    100
    It’s a bummer that Slayer’s November 13 Air Canada Centre show, and their entire tour, has been postponed due to lead singer/bassist Tom Araya’s back problems, but we can console ourselves with their excellent new album, which finds the dark-minded, serial-killer-obsessed California thrashers keeping all things in balance.
  2. The A.V. Club
    91
    Greg Fidelman does a better production job here than he did on Metallica’s "Death Magnetic," perhaps due to oversight by Rick Rubin, who produced Slayer’s best work.
  3. PopMatters
    80
    As long as expectations are met, we’ll be happy. And with World Painted Blood, we’re happier than we’ve been in some time.
  5. Boston Globe
    80
    The band’s grim outlook remains bearable after all these years thanks to strong songcraft.
  6. musicOMH.com
    80
    World Painted Blood may not be Reign In Blood, but it finds Slayer close to their best.
  7. Chicago Tribune
    75
    Slayer has remained unrelentingly true to its origins. The innovations no longer arrive with each album, but the quartet is playing at a high level, and Greg Fidelman’s production captures that sound with thrilling, their-fist-your-face immediacy.
  8. Pitchfork
    73
    Slayer being timely is not Slayer being timeless. But the way they're still playing, they sure sound like it.
  9. AllMusic
    70
    The first listen or two to World Painted Blood might be a bit confusing for the seasoned Slayer fan, but that changes quickly, and the sound of those drums blasting in one's head will become a more than welcome presence in the mix.
  10. Alternative Press
    70
    Sure there are some lulls; but the face-melting trash that surrounds these tunes proves the band still have it in 'em to, well, slay. [Dec 2009, p117]
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Awards & Rankings

55
#55 Most Discussed Album of 2009
64
#64 Most Shared Album of 2009

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 70 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 64 out of 70
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 70
  3. Negative: 4 out of 70
  1. DudeUnknown
    Mar 16, 2017
    7
    Decent but still generic. There's nothing new and every song sounds too similar, but the aggression and skill's still there. The solosDecent but still generic. There's nothing new and every song sounds too similar, but the aggression and skill's still there. The solos could've been better. Repentless was slightly better.… Full Review »
  2. wheels_of_fire
    Feb 8, 2014
    10
    This is the best Slayer album since Seasons in The Abyss. You can feel the old aggressive Slayer in this album. Fast, devastating and complexThis is the best Slayer album since Seasons in The Abyss. You can feel the old aggressive Slayer in this album. Fast, devastating and complex riffs are combining with old but brutal voice of Tom. All the songs are very good, old school thrash with high quality sound. Slayer fans must listen this brilliant piece of artwork. 10 out of 10… Full Review »
  3. HankD
    Apr 11, 2012
    9
    A very nice improvement from Slayer's "Christ Illusion", (which was okay, but it lacked guitar and drum solos), with the potential to evenA very nice improvement from Slayer's "Christ Illusion", (which was okay, but it lacked guitar and drum solos), with the potential to even rival against the classic 1986's "Reign In Blood". This one is almost perfect, but other songs like "Unit 731" and "Snuff" drag it down a bit from being so. Its title song however is a milestone towards perfection, (though the music video is rather disturbing), and further songs like "Beauty Through Order", "Hate Worldwide", "Americon", and "Psychopathy Red" are all excellent as well. "Not Of This God" ends the album nicely, and by the time the sound of Lombardo's drum sticks comes, you will sigh with relief, and say to yourself, "Slayer is still going as good as they ever were before".… Full Review »
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