Eyes of the Insane

"Eyes of the Insane"
Single by Slayer
from the album Christ Illusion
ReleasedNovember 20, 2006 (2006-11-20)
Recorded2006
GenreThrash metal
Length3:23
LabelWEA International
Composer(s)Jeff Hanneman
Lyricist(s)Tom Araya
Producer(s)Josh Abraham
Slayer singles chronology
"Cult"
(2006)
"Eyes of the Insane"
(2006)
"Psychopathy Red"
(2009)

"Eyes of the Insane" is a 2006 song by the American thrash metal band Slayer, taken from the band's 2006 album Christ Illusion. The lyrics explore an American soldier's mental anguish following his return home from the second Gulf War, and are based on an article titled "Casualty of War" in Texas Monthly magazine; they were written by vocalist Tom Araya during pre-production for the album. The song was generally well received by critics, and also peaked at No. 15 on the Danish singles chart.

The accompanying music video by the Tehran-born Armenian director Tony Petrossian was recorded in the Los Angeles area in August 2006. The film is presented as a close-up of the soldier's pupil and iris, which reflect disconcerting images of war-themed horrors, flashbacks of his home, wife and children, and ultimately images of his death. "Eyes of the Insane" was used on the soundtrack to Saw III, and won an award for the Best Metal Performance at the 49th Grammy Awards.