World Painted Blood  by Slayer

2009's World Painted Blood is Slayer's eleventh studio album and is historically significant as it is the last one recorded with the band's original lineup (Hanneman, King, Araya, Lombardo).

The album is characterized by a return to the band's roots, combining the raw speed of Reign In Blood with the more atmospheric, mid-tempo moments of South Of Heaven. Producer Greg Fidelman (with Rick Rubin as executive producer) opted for a very "dry" and direct sound, giving the impression that the band is playing right next to the listener. Standout tracks from World Painted Blood include the title track with its ominous opening and tempo shifts, "Hate Worldwide," a classic aggressive thrash song nominated for a Grammy Award, and "Psychopathy Red," inspired by serial killer Andrei Chikatilo, which stands out for its blistering speed. The lyrics remained in the familiar dark style, with Hanneman focusing on serial killers ("Psychopathy Red") and King tackling political/social issues (e.g., "Americon," which criticizes American foreign policy). Unlike in the past, where the band would enter the studio with all songs and lyrics ready, this time they were "unprepared." Many songs and lyrics were written during the recording sessions, something that initially made Kerry King skeptical about the result.

Commercially, the album was a great success, reaching No. 12 on the Billboard 200 in the U.S. with 41,000 sales in its first week. It also topped the charts in several countries worldwide.