Slayer guitarist Kerry King recently spoke to Decibel magazine about the progress of the songwriting sessions for the band's much-anticipated follow-up to 2001's ^God Hates Us All^, tentatively due late summer/early fall via American Recordings.

According to King, the upcoming CD doesn't have a working title just yet, and it contains no overriding lyrical theme a la the war stories of ^Diabolus In Musica^ or ^Divine Intervention^'s explorations of madness.

^I think the idea is to get eleven [songs] on there,^ King offered. ^We have the music for ten and I have lyrics for four of those, so we're in the home stretch.^

King is hoping to enter the studio shortly and promises a quick recording process. ^We've been playing together for so long now, we can just nail it and get it out there so we can go out and tour again.^

The upcoming CD will be the group's first studio recording since drummer Dave Lombardo rejoined the band back in December 2001. While King claims Lombardo hasn't directly influenced the songwriting, ^it definitely changes the complexion of the final product. I think if anybody's gonan fit the band best it's gonna be Dave, because he was there when we started.^

^I think it'll be an extension of 'God Hates Us All', but with Dave's unique style,^ King told Revolver magazine for its February 2006 issue. ^Dave's such a natural. He's a loose cannon, but in a good way. He'll go off and play something crazy, and we'll be like, 'Holy shit, remember that!'^

Although King was previously quoted as saying that he wants Dave Sardy to produce Slayer's next album, there is currently talk about about a possible collaboration with ^Reign In Blood^ producer Rick Rubin on the upcoming CD. ^I don't know if he's heard what we've been doing lately, so we'll probably have to go do a demo in Dave's garage again, like the old days, get it to Rubin and see what he thinks,^ King said.

King promises that the classic lineup ^isn't a reunion 'cash-in-and-go-away' thing. We're not close to hanging it up; we've still got a lot left,^ he told Decibel.

Interesting...perhaps Slayer will be the metal's rolling stones.

cant wait. its been to long and slayer are the roadwarriors and will play many kickass shows soon i predict.

sooo many years since the last Slayer album, it's going to be nice to hear some new shit finally

and a big ass tour!!

cant wait to hear the album

="zerostatic":1eb849ig said:Interesting...perhaps Slayer will be the metal's rolling stones.

="soulflying":33wntuym said:cant wait to hear the album

im interested to see what it will be like. will it be a bit more old school than ghua.

i love god hates us all that album just rips, i hope the new one sounds familiar to that or better

when releases the new album?