"Diabolus in Musica" is the eighth studio album by the American thrash metal band Slayer. Released on June 9, 1998, by American Recordings, it is often considered one of their more experimental albums, shifting from their signature style to experiment with nu metal elements. Despite being touted as Slayer's most experimental album, it still retained the features of their classic guitar riffs and solos.
The title of the album is a Latin phrase that translates to the "Devil in Music," a term used to describe a particular musical interval that was banned in medieval church music for being supposedly discordant and dissonant. Despite gaining some critical acclaims, the album was slightly controversial among fans owing to its distinctive style.
The band, consisting of vocalist/bassist Tom Araya, guitarists Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King, along with drummer Paul Bostaph, collaborated with producers Rick Rubin and Dave Sardy. Key tracks on the album include "Stain of Mind," "Bitter Peace," and "Death's Head." Although not a commercial success comparative to their preceding albums, "Diabolus in Musica" did reach number 31 on the Billboard 200.
Despite the initial divergent reactions, its different style and unique elements have allowed this album to become an interesting chapter in Slayer's musical journey, showing the band's willingness to experiment and push their artistic boundaries.
