Christ Illusion

Christ Illusion
a mutilated, stoned Christ in a sea of blood with mutilated heads.
Original cover
Studio album by
ReleasedAugust 8, 2006 (2006-08-08)
RecordedFebruary 28 − April 2006[1][2]
StudioNRG Recording Studios and Westlake Recording Studios, Los Angeles, California
GenreThrash metal
Length38:25
LabelAmerican Recordings
ProducerJosh Abraham
Slayer chronology
God Hates Us All
(2001)
Christ Illusion
(2006)
World Painted Blood
(2009)
Alternative cover
Censored cover for the album
Singles from Christ Illusion
  1. "Cult"
    Released: June 6, 2006
  2. "Eyes of the Insane"
    Released: November 20, 2006

Christ Illusion is the tenth studio album by American thrash metal band Slayer, released on August 8, 2006 by American Recordings. It was the band's first album featuring all four original members in nearly sixteen years. Slayer's drummer, Dave Lombardo, performed with the band for the first time since Seasons in the Abyss (1990).

Depicting a mutilated Christ painted by longtime collaborator Larry Carroll, the album's graphic artwork courted controversy; an alternative cover was issued to conservative retailers who felt uncomfortable with the original, and the band also put out a censored cover without the offensive artwork. Lyrics, particularly in the song "Jihad", describe the September 11 attacks from the perspective of a terrorist. Following protests, all Indian stocks of the album were recalled and destroyed by EMI India.[3]

Christ Illusion received generally favorable critical reviews, and entered the US Billboard 200 at number 5, making it the band's second highest U.S. chart position as of 2015. The album includes the Grammy Award-winning songs "Eyes of the Insane" and "Final Six".

  1. ^ "SLAYER To Team Up With LAMB OF GOD, MASTODON, CHILDREN OF BODOM For U.S. Tour". Blabbermouth.net. March 3, 2006. Retrieved February 26, 2020.
  2. ^ "SLAYER Finish Recording New Album; Mixing To Begin This Week". Blabbermouth.net. April 16, 2006. Retrieved February 26, 2020.
  3. ^ "'Offensive' album pulled in India". BBC.co.uk. BBC. October 11, 2006. Retrieved November 8, 2011.