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Slayer's very successful 2004 DVD Still Reigning is being re-released,along with 2003's War At The Warfield.Live Intrusion, which came out on video in 1995, is getting its first release on DVD.

Still Reigning was Slayer's first DVD after drummer Dave Lombardo rejoined the band. It was filmed in Augusta, Maine and features the performance of their classic CD Reign In Blood in its entirety. Slayer rips through the less than 30 minute album in typical crushing fashion.

Playing albums in their entirety is very common these days, but in 2004 it was a fairly unique idea.

The highlight of the concert is the closing song “Raining Blood,” with blood cascading down upon the band throughout. The fake blood apparently affected the band's ability to play effectively, especially the drum sound, which had to be fixed in post-production.

Quick edits and switching back and forth between color and black and white make for a choppy viewing experience, but the audio quality is good. The bonus material on Still Reigning includes performances of six non Reign In Blood songs such as “Mandatory Suicide,” “War Ensemble” and “Spill The Blood.” There's also a short 17 documentary “Slayer In Their Own Words” with band members talking about their early days, influences, the return of Lombardo and other topics.

It's not as lengthy as their other DVDs, but Still Reigning is essential because of the Reign In Blood performance, and the documentary is a good biographical overview of Slayer.

(released August 17, 2010 on American Recordings)



Disclosure: A review copy was provided by the publisher. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.