Diabolus in Musica
| Slayer
Diabolus in Musica
Diabolus in Musica (Latin for "The Devil in Music") is the eighth studio album by American thrash metal band Slayer, released on June 9, 1998 by American Recordings. Guitarist Jeff Hanneman wrote most of the album's content, which has been described as Slayer's most experimental. It was the band's first album to be played mostly in C♯ tuning, and named after a musical interval known for its dissonance. Lyrical themes explored on the album include religion, sex, cultural deviance, death, insanity, war, and homicide. -Wikipedia
Critic Reviews
Show All-
The Metal Archives
Sure, this album's different (dare I say "edgier") from its more popular predecessors. No more comic book logo, no more cover art straight from hell, and no more dark fantasy. Yet the fact remains: you simply cannot stop the war infection.
-
Revolver Mag
Ironically, Slayer, a group that will be remembered for being consistent and steadfast, should be applauded for making a record as experimental as Diabolus in Musica.
-
Head of Metal
Truth be told, much of Diabolus In Musica is comfortably in the thrash zone–believe it or not.
-
Sputnik Music
Quite a good album, definitely better than God Hates us All and Divine Intervention (I feel there is too much filler in both), and far from their worst, even though not as good as their early stuff. Could have been better, but it is definitely not their worst as many claim it to be.
-
Metal Forces Magazine
Of all the Slayer records, Diabolus In Musica has the worst sound too, somewhere between that nu-metal groove and modern, so-called extreme metal. It’s somehow polished and yet at the same time grating from the off, with the jarring ‘Bitter Peace’, the almost groove-based ‘Stain Of Mind’ – with Tom Araya’s choppy raps – and the reputedly “updated” structures and dynamics just leaving me cold.
-
Metal Reviews
Yes, of course, they cobbled together an album, and no, of course, this isn’t as good as Slayer’s other albums, but it’s not half so bad as it’s painted.
-
No Clean Singing
Overall, I still think Diabolus In Musica has a song collection where MOST of it is just as definitively Slayer and as worth hearing as the band’s better albums, but its ventures into new territory and a new sound definitely resulted in an uneven record.
-
All Music
Even if their liner art keeps getting more and more graphic, the music is still the same old Slayer, and that's pretty much what sellout-wary diehards want to hear.
-
Kerrang!
I’m so disappointed they didn’t reach the full potential of the title. It’s mediocre Slayer and just way too nu-metal. Don’t get me wrong, there’s a lot of nu metal on their following records, but it doesn’t work on this one.”
-
Brainwashed
it's still a fun listen for the devoted Slayer fan (like myself) just not as good as classics such as "Reign in Blood" and "Seasons in the Abyss". "Diabolus.." (meaning "Devil Music") does have spiffy artwork to match past albums though.
-
Ultimate Guitar
I suppose it's not that bad, just bad vocals, clashing riffs, and too many slow tracks for a thrash band. If you are looking for a good slayer album to start with or something do not buy this, because it might put you off.
-
Metal Music Archives
On the whole, it is an acceptably entertaining listen. I can't say I wouldn't rather just spin Reign In Blood one and a half times instead, but that's just a fact of how awesome Reign In Blood is.
-
The Ripple Effect
I hear a band that has that same punk rock attitude and brutal metallic energy that they always had . . . they just created interesting nuances that will forever make Diabolus in Musica my favorite Slayer album . . . next to Reign in Blood, of course.
-
Prindle Record Reviews
They're exploring new territory, but still keeping their edge. With a VENGEANCE. What an old bunch of guys to still be this tight and angry! Please give it a few listens.
Rate This Album and Leave Your Comments