May 24th, 2020 - A Christ Illusion In The High Desert

Hey there evildoers, headbangers, and hop lovers!  The Meista here today pairing Slayer's "Christ Illusion" and a tasty High Desert Hazy IPA from Roosters Brewing Company!

Album Info:

• Artist: Slayer
• Title: "Christ Illusion"
• Recorded: February through April 2006 at NRG in North Hollywood, California and Westlake Studios in Los Angeles, California
• Release date: August 8th, 2006 (10th studio album by Slayer)
• Record company: American Recordings
• Production: Rick Rubin, Josh Abraham, and Slayer
• Album cover art: Larry Carroll and t42design
• Personnel: Tom Araya (bass and lead vocals), Jeff Hanneman (lead and rhythm guitar), Kerry King (lead and rhythm guitars"), and Dave Lombardo (drums)
• Musical style: Thrash metal
• Sound: In-your-face, fiery fast and furious, and fist-pumping aggression describe some of the elements of this killer album!  Araya's brutal and honest vocal performance is accompanied by whiplash fast guitar work, machine gun drumming, and thunderclap bass!
• Major themes: War, violence, terrorism, insanity, anti-religion, corruption, destruction, aggression, anger, fear, etc.
• Tracks:  
1. "Flesh Storm"
2. "Catalyst"
3. "Skeleton Christ"
4. "Eyes Of The Insane"
5. "Jihad"
6. "Consfearancy"
7. "Catatonic"
8. "Black Serenade"
9. "Cult"
10. "Supremist"

    Brew Info:

• Brewery: Roosters Brewing Company (Ogden, Utah)
• Website: https://www.roostersbrewingco.com/
• Brew: High Desert Hazy IPA
• Style: India Pale Ale (IPA)
• Serving: 12 ounce can
• ABV: 5.0% 
• Ingredients: Southern Cross hops 
• Pour: The High Desert pours a hazy golden-orange hue with a firm and creamy 1+ finger, bright-white head with great sustain and lots of intricate, sticky, soapy lacing.
• Nose: The nose is very citrusy. fruity, floral, and sweet.  There are aromas of orange juice, tangerine, grapefruit, mango, pineapple, sweet biscuit, and caramel.
• Taste: The taste of the High Desert is citrusy, fruity, and sweet.  There are notes of orange juice and zest, tangerine, light pink grapefruit juice, pineapple juice, mango, guava, cereal grain, and sweet caramel/toffee.
• Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel of the High Desert is juicy, crisp, and refreshing with a dry, slightly sweet, slightly bitter finish.

Overall pairing: The High Desert Hazy IPA is very crushable and sessionable, yet a complex, and flavorful hoppy brew ... perfect for the thrash metal onslaught of the mighty Slayer's "Christ Illusion"!  'Nuff said!  

Cheers and hails headbangers!!