Credit where it is due. Slayer takes the nod as the heavyweight champs tonight. Solely responsible for instigating the 'pit', which was one of the most brutal swarms of unbridled violence I have had the pleasure of witnessing in all my metal years. Indeed, it was a sea of boiling hatred and lunacy. The kind that can only be summoned by Slayer.

I arrived at the show in perfect time to see Skrape pulling down and packing up their gear around 7:20 or so. Wasn't so lucky when the Static-X posse made their way onstage. They played what seemed like 9-10 songs which was about 7-8 too many. I was disappointed to find out that Morbid Angel was the opening act for this gig. I'm not a huge fan but surely they would have been more entertaining than these other two 'nu-metal' contraptions.

Slayer hits the stage around 8:45 or so. They open with Raining Blood and the place explodes into mass chaos. This bleeds into Chemical Warfare and I'm having flashbacks from the World Sacrifice tour circa:88-89. The pit really starts to take form by this point as it seems no one is exempt from its lethal grasp. From there it was Stain of Mind into Bloodline. Personally, I'm not a huge fan of either of these tunes however I might add that Bloodline played live was very cool and well received.

After some brief chit chat with the crowd, Tom introduces (as only Tom can) the next tune which is War Ensemble. And on this evening it is Slayers finest moment. Even the 17 year old Pantera fans I'm standing next too seem to appreciate the sheer brilliance they are witnessing at this moment. Kerry nails the solo perfectly. Jeff improvises abit but still no less a thing of beauty and hell reborn. Then a track off God Hates Us All entitled Disciple. Sounds pretty cool with a killer chorus that I'm dying to hear again. This is nicely followed by Seasons in the Abyss and Dead Skin mask.

And finally for the encore two more classics in South of Heaven and of course Angel of Death. Needless to say both tunes were performed with intensity and class. But what else could one expect. You get the real deal when Slayers in the house. And while I'm sure some gigs are better than others, I have yet to be disappointed after 4 Slayer gigs spanning 13 years.

I will note however, that those of you checking this tour out should be forewarned. I made the mistake of slipping into the comfy illusion that I was going to a Slayer show. For the most part its a Pantera crowd. 5-6 thousand people at this gig and not once could we get a solid 'Slay-er!' chant going. In fact, everytime it seemed like one was getting started the Pantera fans would start chanting 'Pan-ter-a!' We may not have won the chant but the pit was ours!