“Undisputed Attitude” is the seventh studio album by American thrash metal band Slayer, released on May 28, 1996.
The album consists almost entirely of covers of punk rock and hardcore punk songs. It also includes two tracks written by guitarist Jeff Hanneman in 1984 and 1985 for a side project called Pap Smear and its closing track, “Gemini”, is the only original track.
The album was largely the brainchild of guitarist Kerry King, who stated that the songs chosen were from highly influential bands who “made Slayer what it is”.
The album was initially to feature material from classic heavy metal artists such as Judas Priest, UFO and Deep Purple. However, after several rehearsals “things didn’t pan out” according to King, so the band instead elected to cover punk songs. Then again, maybe Tom Araya’s rough bark just didn’t suit the Judas Priest, UFO and Deep Purple style of songs.
The band for this album is Tom Araya on Bass and Vocals, Kerry King on Guitars, Jeff Hanneman (RIP) on Guitars and Paul Bostaph on Drums. The way Araya sounds vocally on this is how James Hetfield would sound on “St Anger” in six to seven years’ time.
The album is produced by Dave Sardy with Rick Rubin listed as an Executive Producer, whatever an Exec Producer means.
“Disintegration/Free Money”
The original artist is Verbal Abuse and its 1.41 of fast and aggressive metal punk.
“Verbal Abuse/Leeches”
And its followed up by another Verbal Abuse cover, which clocks in at 1.58. While its fast and aggressive punk, there is a small breakdown section which slows things down a little.
“Abolish Government/Superficial Love”
A T.S.O.L. cover and it’s a full 1:48 in length.
Three songs in and it’s like listening to one song.
“Can’t Stand You”
Written by Jeff Hanneman and listed as a Pap Smear cover which clocks in at 1:27. And Tom Araya doesn’t take a breath as he spits out the verses.
“DDAMM (Drunk Drivers Against Mad Mothers)”
Another track written by Jeff Hanneman and listed as a Pap Smear cover which clocks in at the super long length of 1:01.
“Guilty of Being White”
A cover from Minor Threat and it clocks in at another super long time of 1:07.
When the album was released in 1996, there was no controversy over the song or any possible message of white supremacy.
But the internet and social networks are different beasts and people take a moral high ground.
The other controversy was changing the lyrics in the songs ending from “guilty of being white” to “guilty of being right”.
This little changed didn’t go down well with Minor Threat front man Ian MacKaye, who found this change “offensive”.
“I Hate You”
Verbal Abuse makes another appearance on this album with a song that goes into the 2 minute range. This one is more punk like, with a rock tempo and Sex Pistols “Anarchy” style attitude.
“Filler/I Don’t Want to Hear It”
And Minor Threat makes another appearance with a super-fast punk hardcore song.
“Spiritual Law”
A cover from D.I. and its pushing at being the longest song on the album at 3 minutes long. Press play to hear the intro which is very Metal like, otherwise the rest is stock standard fast beats, vocals that cover the microphone in spit and fast alternate picked punk metal riffs.
But at 1.20 a Sabbath like doom groove comes in, before it picks back up into the fast punk metal at the 2.10 mark.
“Mr. Freeze”
A cover from Dr Know. Its 2.24 in length and at times when the song goes into its rock riffs I feel like I am listening to Beatsie Boys, “Fight For Your Rights”.
“Violent Pacification”
A cover from D.R.I. at 2:38 in length.
All I can say about this song is chaos until the 46 second mark, when the drums start a rock style groove and the tempo of the song goes down a notch for the band to rock out. And Tom Araya is barking out “Violent Pacification” over and over and over again.
“Richard Hung Himself”
A cover from D.I. and this song takes the title for the longest song of the cover songs at 3:22.
And for a song with a grisly title it’s actually a catchy rock song.
“I’m Gonna Be Your God” (“I Wanna Be Your Dog”)
A song from The Stooges, clocking in over the 3 minute mark and it received a makeover and some slightly modified lyrics and a faster tempo.
It’s by far my favorite cover and it leads in perfectly to the original track.
“Gemini”
Written by Kerry King and Tom Araya, and it is the longest song on the album at 4.53.
The song begins as a sludge/doom number reminding me of “Season In The Abyss”, before becoming a more typical Slayer song.
But being added to the end, doesn’t do this song proper justice. It’s one of their best tracks written in the 90’s.
And Tom Araya is evil reincarnated with his melodic but sinister vocal melody.
In the end, this is a 33-minute-long release and Slayer wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s not a classic album but the song “Gemini” makes up for it.
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