No apologies. No regrets. No slowing down.
When Slayer released “Repentless” in 2015, the band already knew they were entering the final chapter.
It was their 12th and final studio album, arriving after years of upheaval, the death of founding guitarist Jeff Hanneman, lineup changes and a six-year wait since World Painted Blood.
And instead of going quietly?
Slayer went for the throat.
Produced by Terry Date, “Repentless” is a brutal mix of furious thrash, dark grooves and the kind of hostile energy that had defined Slayer for decades. Tom Araya still sounds vicious, Kerry King brings the riffs, Gary Holt adds his unmistakable lead-guitar attack and Paul Bostaph pounds the drums like the end of the world is approaching.
Because, in a way, it was.
So which tracks from Repentless deserve the crown?
“Repentless”
The title track is Slayer mission statement.
Kerry King riff comes charging in, Araya spits out the lyrics and the whole thing feels like a band refusing to apologize for anything.
There’s a particularly interesting story behind the title. “Repentless” isn’t actually a standard English word. King wanted something closer to “unrepentant” but liked the way “repentless” sounded.
Slayer liked it too.
So they kept it.
The song itself was also written as King tribute to Jeff Hanneman, making its place on the final album even more significant.
“You Against You”
If you’re looking for one of the album nastiest guitar performances, start here.
“You Against You” is fast, aggressive and packed with savage lead work. The riffs constantly push forward while Araya delivers the kind of vocal attack that sounds like he’s personally offended by the existence of everything around him.
It became one of the standout tracks of Slayer final touring era and it’s easy to understand why.
“Delusions of Saviour”
Before Slayer even throws a proper riff at you, there’s “Delusions of Saviour”.
The short instrumental opener is atmospheric, ominous and strangely beautiful by Slayer standards.
It slowly builds tension before the album full-speed assault begins.
For a band famous for speed and violence, Slayer understood something important:
Sometimes the scariest thing is making people wait.
“When the Stillness Comes”
Not everything on “Repentless” needs to move at maximum speed.
“When the Stillness Comes” is slower, darker and more brooding, creating one of the album most sinister atmospheres.
It gives the record some breathing room without making it any less disturbing.
In fact, the slower pace makes the song feel even heavier.
“Piano Wire”
For Slayer fans, this track carries extra weight.
“Piano Wire” features one of the final songwriting contributions from Jeff Hanneman, using material he had written and recorded during the World Painted Blood sessions.
Hanneman didn’t perform on “Repentless” but his songwriting legacy is still present.
And hearing his work on Slayer final studio album gives the song a significance that goes beyond the music itself.
“Take Control” & “Vices”
These two tracks are perfect reminders that Slayer didn’t suddenly forget how to write a killer thrash riff in 2015.
“Take Control” comes loaded with aggression and a driving rhythm, while “Vices” leans into that old-school Slayer attack.
Neither needs elaborate production tricks or complicated explanations.
Just riffs. Just rage. Just Slayer.
The Rest of the Attack
“Cast the First Stone”, “Chasing Death”, “Implode”, “Atrocity Vendor” and “Pride in Prejudice” keep the album moving through its darker and more aggressive moments.
There’s also an interesting history behind “Atrocity Vendor”.
The song originally came from the World Painted Blood sessions and appeared as a B-side. Kerry King wasn’t satisfied with the original version, so Slayer re-recorded it for “Repentless” changing the lyrics and arrangements.
That’s a very Slayer thing to do.
If it’s not brutal enough, make it brutal again.
The Final Slayer Lineup
“Repentless” marked the first Slayer studio album without founding guitarist Jeff Hanneman and longtime drummer Dave Lombardo.
The lineup was:
- Tom Araya – vocals, bass
- Kerry King – guitars
- Gary Holt – lead guitar
- Paul Bostaph – drums
Gary Holt brought his experience from Exodus into Slayer, while Bostaph returned to the drum throne after previously playing with the band from 1992 to 2001.
It was a different Slayer.
But it still sounded like Slayer.
That Insane “Repentless” Video
The title track also received one of Slayer most outrageous music videos.
Filmed at the former Sybil Brand Institute women’s jail in Los Angeles, the video turns into a brutal prison riot and features a ridiculous lineup of horror and action veterans, including Danny Trejo, Derek Mears, Tyler Mane and Vernon Wells.
Basically, Slayer decided that a normal music video wasn’t violent enough.
So they made a mini horror movie.
So… What’s the BEST Track?
This is where things get interesting.
Is the title track the obvious winner?
Does “You Against You” have the nastiest riffs?
Maybe the atmosphere of “When the Stillness Comes” gets your vote.
Or perhaps “Piano Wire” means more because of Hanneman final songwriting contribution.
POLL: What is the BEST track on Repentless?
Cast your vote and tell us which track deserves the Slayer crown.
Because “Repentless” may have been the final chapter…
but Slayer didn’t go quietly. They went down fighting. 🤘
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