Repentless

When asked in May 2011 if Slayer was going to make a follow-up to World Painted Blood (2009), then-Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo replied that, although nothing had been written yet, there were "definitely plans."{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/slayer-drummer-says-he-wasn-t-a-fan-of-band-s-albums-he-didn-t-play-on/|title=Slayer Drummer Says He 'Wasn't A Fan' Of Band's Albums He Didn't Play On|date=May 27, 2011|publisher=Blabbermouth }} In early 2011, guitarist Jeff Hanneman contracted necrotizing fasciitis. Reports linked this illness with a spider bite he claimed to have received while in a friend's hot tub.{{cite web| url=http://www.slayer.net/us/news/open-letter-slayer-fans-around-world| title=An open letter to Slayer fans around the world| publisher=slayer.net| access-date=May 7, 2013| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130506065450/http://www.slayer.net/us/news/open-letter-slayer-fans-around-world| archive-date=May 6, 2013| df=mdy-all}}{{cite web| url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/slayer-guitarist-jeff-hanneman-dies-of-liver-failure-after-spider-bite-1.1376249| title=Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman dies of liver failure after spider bite| date=May 3, 2013| publisher=CBC News| access-date=May 7, 2013}} When asked about a new record, singer/bassist Tom Araya stated that any work would have to wait until Hanneman had recovered.{{cite magazine| last = Graff| first = Gary| title = Slayer to 'Hold Off' on Recording While Ailing Bassist [sic] Recovers| magazine = Billboard| date = May 21, 2011| url = http://www.billboard.com/news/slayer-to-hold-off-on-recording-while-ailing-1005206572.story#/news/slayer-to-hold-off-on-recording-while-ailing-1005206572.story| access-date = May 21, 2011}}

On February 20, 2013, it was announced that Lombardo would not take part in Slayer's Australia tour due to contractual disputes, and his place would be taken by former drummer Jon Dette.{{cite web|title=Dave Lombardo Kicked Out Of Slayer?|publisher=Ultimate-Guitar.com|url=http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/dave_lombardo_kicked_out_of_slayer.html|access-date=February 21, 2013}} Being interviewed in late February by Soundwave TV, guitarist Kerry King elaborated more on the personnel status for the album.{{cite web|title=Slayer's Kerry King: Tom Araya 'Has Been On The Fence' About Dave Lombardo For Awhile – Mar. 1, 2013|date = March 2013|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=186883| publisher=Blabbermouth|access-date=March 1, 2013}} He expressed doubt as to who might produce the album, saying that Metallica "monopolized" producer Greg Fidelman. The continued absence of Hanneman further contributed to the uncertainty. Lombardo's permanent replacement was later announced to be Paul Bostaph,{{cite web|title=Slayer Welcomes Drummer Paul Bostaph Back To The Fold – May 30, 2013|date=May 30, 2013|url=http://blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=190623|publisher=Blabbermouth|access-date=May 30, 2013|archive-date=June 7, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607175134/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=190623|url-status=dead}} who was previously the band's drummer from 1992 to 2001, appearing on several albums.

On May 2, 2013, Jeff Hanneman died of liver failure in a Los Angeles hospital.{{cite news| url=http://www.3news.co.nz/Slayer-guitarist-Jeff-Hanneman-dies/tabid/418/articleID/296389/Default.aspx| title=Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman dies| date=May 3, 2013| publisher=3 News| access-date=May 7, 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004220629/http://www.3news.co.nz/Slayer-guitarist-Jeff-Hanneman-dies/tabid/418/articleID/296389/Default.aspx| archive-date=October 4, 2013| url-status=dead}}{{cite magazine| url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1560534/slayer-guitarist-jeff-hanneman-dead-at-49| title=Slayer Guitarist Jeff Hanneman Dead at 49| first=Gary| last=Graff| magazine =Billboard| date=May 2, 2013| access-date=May 7, 2013}} A week later, the official cause of death was announced as alcohol-related cirrhosis. Hanneman and his family had apparently been unaware of the extent of condition until shortly before his death.{{cite web|title=Slayer Guitarist Jeff Hanneman: Official Cause Of Death Revealed – May 9, 2013|date=May 9, 2013|url=http://blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=189736|publisher=Blabbermouth|access-date=May 10, 2013|archive-date=June 7, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607175209/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=189736|url-status=dead}} King had announced his desire for the band to continue, but Araya was more uncertain, stating, "After 30 years, it would literally be like starting over," and expressing doubts that Slayer's fanbase would approve of such a change.{{cite web|title=Slayer's King: 'I Don't Think We Should Throw In The Towel Just Because Jeff's Not Here' – June 23, 2013|date=June 23, 2013|url=http://blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=191655|publisher=Blabbermouth|access-date=June 23, 2013|archive-date=June 26, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130626223507/http://blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=191655|url-status=dead}} In March 2015, Araya revealed that the band had recorded one song prior to Hanneman's passing, and that the song would appear on the album.{{cite web|first=Graham "Gruhamed"|last=Hartmann|title=Slayer confirm Jeff Hanneman's Playing Will be Featured on 11th Studio Album|url=http://loudwire.com/slayer-jeff-hanneman-playing-featured-11th-studio-album/|work=Loudwire|access-date=March 30, 2015|date=March 30, 2015}} The result was the song "Piano Wire". Araya explained that Hanneman would be a part on the album{{cite web|url=https://www.axs.com/tom-araya-gives-update-on-forthcoming-slayer-album-47352|title=Tom Araya gives update on forthcoming Slayer album|publisher=axs.com|access-date=April 2, 2015}} when King later dismissed the claim saying, "Jeff Hanneman isn't physically playing on this record. Somebody reported some bullshit. People say shit when they don't know what's actually going on. Even though Jeff's song, "Piano Wire", was recorded during the last album cycle, I played all the guitar. I've been doing that for years. Since he has no lead on that song, he's not on it."{{cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/slayer-kerry-king-jeff-hanneman-isnt-physically-playing-11th-studio-album/|title=Slayer's Kerry King: 'Jeff Hanneman Isn't Physically Playing' on Band's 11th Studio Album|date=April 7, 2015 |publisher=Loudwire|access-date=April 7, 2015}}

The album's writing process started in November 2011, announced by Lombardo through Twitter.Hart, Josh (2011-21-11). [http://www.guitarworld.com/slayer-writing-new-album "Slayer Writing New Album"]. Guitar World. King later said that he and Lombardo had been working on music prior to the holidays and that they had completed three songs, in addition to three outtakes from the previous record. It was initially hoped that the album would be ready for release by summer of 2012,{{cite web|url=http://www.guitarworld.com/exclusive-guitarist-kerry-king-gives-update-new-slayer-album |title=Exclusive: Guitarist Kerry King Gives Update on New Slayer Album |publisher=Guitar World |date=February 20, 2012 |access-date=April 6, 2012}} but this did not come to fruition. Frontman Tom Araya later said that the album would be pushed back to a 2013 release,{{cite web|title=Next is NE on Slayer's radar |url=http://sevensisterspost.com/next-is-ne-on-slayers-radar/ |work=Seven Sisters Post |access-date=September 30, 2012 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116053457/http://sevensisterspost.com/next-is-ne-on-slayers-radar/ |archive-date=January 16, 2013 }} but this idea fell through.Hartmann, Graham. [http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/slayers-kerry-king-i-cant-pretend-to-be-jeff-hanneman/ "Kerry King on Next Slayer Album: I Can’t Pretend To Be Jeff Hanneman"]. Blabbermouth, January 8, 2014.

In addition, King had noted that two of the new songs had been fully recorded and that there was a possibility that they might be released as an EP,{{cite web |url=http://legacy.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=175397 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130201152347/http://legacy.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=175397 |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 1, 2013 |title=Slayer's Kerry King Says Two New Songs Are Fully Recorded |publisher=Blabbermouth |date=June 13, 2012 |access-date=June 13, 2012 }} but the idea was later dismissed.{{cite web|title=Kerry King Talks New Slayer Album, Jeff Hanneman's Health Status (Video) – Feb. 1, 2013|date = February 2013|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=185694| publisher=Blabbermouth|access-date=February 2, 2013}} King announced the songs' titles as "Chasing Death" and "Implode."{{cite web|last=Florino|first=Rick|title=Kerry King of Slayer Talks Mayhem Festival, New Music, and Looks Back on "Divine Intervention"|url=http://www.artistdirect.com/entertainment-news/article/kerry-king-of-slayer-talks-mayhem-festival-new-music-and-looks-back-on-divine-intervention/10202236|work=artistdirect.com|publisher=Artist Direct|access-date=July 19, 2012|archive-date=May 31, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170531065115/http://www.artistdirect.com/entertainment-news/article/kerry-king-of-slayer-talks-mayhem-festival-new-music-and-looks-back-on-divine-intervention/10202236|url-status=dead}} Araya announced that the band would start writing the new album upon completion of the 2012 Mayhem Festival tour, which ended in August of that year.{{cite magazine|last=Graff|first=Gary|title=Slayer Eyeing New Material as Guitarist Continues Recovery|url=http://www.billboard.com/news/slayer-eyeing-new-material-as-guitarist-1007617952.story#/news/slayer-eyeing-new-material-as-guitarist-1007617952.story|magazine=Billboard|access-date=July 20, 2012}} Since their recorded songs still needed to be mixed, King announced in a late August 2012 interview that there had been a twelve-day window where the band had been able to "hijack Greg Fidelman from Metallica" for further production on the album. By then, the band had two songs that were missing lead guitar parts and vocals and had recorded six demos. In addition, King said that the band had yet to record three more demos.{{cite web|title=Slayer's Kerry King Says Jeff Hanneman's Recovery Won't Hold Up New Album – Aug. 21, 2012|date = August 21, 2012|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=178415| publisher=Blabbermouth|access-date=August 21, 2012}}

In February 2013 during an interview with Eddie Trunk, King declared that, while Hanneman still had not been involved with the album, the band was waiting for label issues to be resolved before recording. King stated that he and Lombardo had eight songs that they were working on, as well. When asked about whether or not Exodus guitarist Gary Holt, who had been filling in for Hanneman during live shows, would play on the record, King denied it, saying that he would handle all guitars except for Hanneman's lead parts. King also said that Hanneman had yet to offer up any material for the album. Araya later contradicted King's statement about Hanneman and stated that Hanneman had been working on material for the album.{{cite web|title=Slayer Frontman Says It Will Be 'Exciting' Playing With Drummer Jon Dette Again – Feb. 23, 2013|date = February 23, 2013|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=186647| publisher=Blabbermouth|access-date=February 24, 2013}} Shortly after Hanneman's death, Araya revealed that Hanneman had gone so far as to send Araya music that he had been working on,{{cite web|title=Jeff Hanneman Was Working On New Music Before He Died, Says Tom Araya – June 25, 2013|date=June 25, 2013|url=http://blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=191757|publisher=Blabbermouth|access-date=June 27, 2013|archive-date=August 12, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130812013637/http://blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=191757|url-status=dead}} and Araya later said that some of this material—including an outtake from World Painted Blood—may make it onto the album.{{cite web|last=Hartmann|first=Graham "Gruhamed"|title=Exclusive: Slayer Hope to Unveil Never-Before-Heard Jeff Hanneman Material on Next Album|url=http://loudwire.com/exclusive-slayer-never-before-heard-jeff-hanneman-material-next-album/|work=Loudwire|date=October 7, 2013 |access-date=October 13, 2013}}

Even prior to Hanneman's death, King had expressed doubt as to who would even play on the album. He stated that if work on the album could be done in June 2013, then it was hoped that the album could be out by the following September or October. After Hanneman's passing, Holt was asked if he will be featured on the album, to which he replied that he would probably be playing some solos on the album, but that the rest of the guitar work would all be King.{{cite web|title=Gary Holt Will 'Probably' Record Solos on Next Slayer Studio Album|date=October 19, 2013|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/gary-holt-will-probably-record-solos-on-next-slayer-studio-album/|publisher=Blabbermouth|access-date=October 20, 2013}} King later confirmed this sentiment, but explained that Holt would not be participating in any of the writing, noting: "fans aren't ready for it."{{cite web|last=Story|first=Jared|title=Slayer guitarist Kerry King talks staying true to the fans, and losing Jeff Hanneman|url=http://metronews.ca/scene/840373/slayer-guitarist-kerry-king-talks-staying-true-to-the-fans-and-losing-jeff-hanneman/|work=Metronews.ca|publisher=Metro International|access-date=October 31, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150426081128/http://metronews.ca/scene/840373/slayer-guitarist-kerry-king-talks-staying-true-to-the-fans-and-losing-jeff-hanneman/|archive-date=April 26, 2015|url-status=dead}}

According to Holt, recording for the album was expected to commence at the end of 2013. King later stated that there were plans to begin recording in January 2014.{{cite magazine|last=Gentile|first=John|title=Slayer Forge On After Jeff Hanneman's Death|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/slayer-forge-on-after-jeff-hannemans-death-20131107|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=November 7, 2013|access-date=November 9, 2013}} King further revealed that he and drummer Paul Bostaph have recorded 11 songs on a demo, while also working on some additional tracks, seven of which had complete lyrics.{{cite web|last=Hartmann|first=Graham|title=Kerry King on Next Slayer Album: I Can't Pretend To Be Jeff Hanneman|url=http://loudwire.com/slayer-kerry-king-next-album-cant-pretend-jeff-hanneman/|work=Loudwire|date=January 8, 2014|access-date=January 15, 2014}} On April 24, 2014, Slayer offered a free download of "Implode,"{{cite web|title=Slayer - Implode (single 2014)|url=http://soundcloud.com/peliculiar/slayer-implode-single-2014|date=April 24, 2014|access-date=October 19, 2016}} their first song in five years as well as their first recording to feature Holt on guitar. Additionally, it is the first recording to feature Bostaph on drums since 2001's God Hates Us All. On the same day, it was announced that Slayer had signed to Nuclear Blast, and would release their eleventh studio album in early 2015.{{cite web|title=Slayer Signs With Nuclear Blast – April 24, 2014|date=April 24, 2014|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/slayer-signs-with-nuclear-blast-records/| publisher=Blabbermouth|access-date=April 24, 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/slayer-to-release-repentless-album-on-911/|title=Slayer To Release 'Repentless' Album On 9/11|publisher =Blabbermouth|date=May 22, 2015|access-date=May 22, 2015}}

In 2017, Holt talked about recording the guitar solos, "That's one of my favorites on the album. I'm never blown away by anything I've done musically. I always want to redo it five minutes after I'm done with it. That goes down to songwriting too - it's never going to be perfect. Nothing's perfect. So yeah, I went in and did all the solos for that album in a day. I just sat down with a six pack of beer with Kerry and Terry Date. They just let me do my own thing. Tom came in after I had been messing around with a solo for a half an hour and he told me the first take was perfect. I told him they've got to let me know because I'll keep going over it and sometimes you lose a good thing when that happens. You've got to know when to just let it go and keep it whether it's raw or rough or perfect or maybe there a little bit of magic in there."{{cite web|url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/interviews/gary_holt_how_i_recorded_the_solos_for_latest_slayer_album.html|title=Gary Holt: How I Recorded the Solos for Latest Slayer Album|publisher=Ultimate Guitar|access-date=September 5, 2017}}

In an interview, King described "Chasing Death" as being about alcoholism: "it's like people who drink too much. They don't help themselves out so they're chasing death." He explained "Implode" as being about the end of the world. The album featured one song, "Piano Wire", that was written by Hanneman prior to his passing.

In October 2014, the band revealed plans to release a new song, entitled "When the Stillness Comes," via Scion AV, an "in-house record label and lifestyle marketing division" of Toyota's Scion brand.{{cite web|title=Slayer: New Song 'When The Stillness Comes' To Be Made Available Via Scion AV|date=October 31, 2014|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/slayer-new-song-when-the-stillness-comes-to-be-made-available-via-scion-av/|publisher = Blabbermouth|access-date=October 31, 2014}} The song was released for Record Store Day on April 18, 2015.{{cite web|title=Slayer: New Song 'When The Stillness Comes' to be Made Available for Record Store Day|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/slayer-new-song-when-the-stillness-comes-to-be-made-available-for-record-store-day/|publisher = Blabbermouth|access-date=February 18, 2015|date=February 18, 2015}} On June 19, 2015, Slayer made the title track available for streaming on YouTube.{{cite magazine | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/hear-slayers-breakneck-paced-repentless-title-track-20150619 | title=Hear Slayer's Breakneck-Paced 'Repentless' Title Track | magazine=Rolling Stone | publisher=Wenner Media | first=Kory | last=Grow | date=June 19, 2015 | access-date=September 27, 2015}} On August 31, 2015, Slayer released "Cast the First Stone," another track on the album, via the Adult Swim singles program.{{cite web | url=http://www.spin.com/2015/08/slayer-new-track-cast-the-first-stone-adult-swim-stream-download/ | title=Slayer Share Barbarous New Track, 'Cast the First Stone' | work=Spin | publisher=SpinMedia | first=James | last=Grebey | date=August 31, 2015 | access-date=September 27, 2015}} On September 3, 2015, a behind the scenes mini-documentary looking at the making of the music video for the album's title track was released by Rolling Stone.{{cite magazine | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/watch-slayer-and-danny-trejo-film-gore-drenched-video-at-l-a-prison-20150903 | title=Watch Slayer and Danny Trejo Film Gore-Drenched Video at L.A. Prison | magazine=Rolling Stone | publisher=Wenner Media | first=Steve | last=Appleford | date=September 3, 2015 | access-date=September 27, 2015}}

{{Album ratings

|MC = 70/100{{cite web|title=Critic Reviews for Repentless|url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/repentless/slayer/critic-reviews|publisher=Metacritic|access-date=September 12, 2015}}

|rev1 = AllMusic

|rev1score = {{rating|3|5}}{{cite web|last=Jurek|first=Thom|title=Slayer – Repentless|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/repentless-mw0002854340|publisher=AllMusic|date=September 11, 2015|access-date=September 11, 2015}}

|rev2 = Billboard

|rev2score = {{rating|3|5}}{{cite magazine|last=Bienstock|first=Richard|title=Slayer – Repentless|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/review/6693286/slayer-repentless-album-review|magazine=Billboard|date=September 11, 2015|access-date=September 12, 2015}}

|rev3 = Classic Rock

|rev3score = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite web|last=Hotten|first=Jon|title=Slayer – Repentless|url=https://www.teamrock.com/reviews/2015-09-04/slayer-repentless-1|website=Classic Rock|date=September 4, 2015|access-date=September 12, 2015|archive-date=October 1, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001062454/http://www.teamrock.com/reviews/2015-09-04/slayer-repentless-1|url-status=dead}}

|rev4 = Exclaim!

|rev4score = 7/10{{cite web|last=Pratt|first=Greg|title=Slayer – Repentless|url=http://exclaim.ca/Music/article/slayer-repentless|website=Exclaim!|date=September 9, 2015|access-date=September 11, 2015}}

|rev5 = The Guardian

|rev5score = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite web|last=Lawson|first=Dom|title=Slayer – Repentless|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/sep/10/slayer-repentless-review|website=The Guardian|date=September 10, 2015|access-date=September 12, 2015}}

|rev6 = The New York Times

|rev6score = {{rating|3.5|5}}{{cite web|last=Ratliff|first=Ben|title=Slayer – Repentless|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/10/arts/music/review-slayers-new-album-repentless-is-loud-and-precise.html?_r=0|website=The New York Times|date=September 9, 2015|access-date=September 12, 2015}}

|rev7 = Record Collector

|rev7score = {{rating|2|5}}{{cite web|last=McIver|first=Joel|title=Slayer – Repentless|url=http://recordcollectormag.com/reviews/repentless|website=Record Collector|date=September 11, 2015|access-date=September 12, 2015}}

|rev8 = Rolling Stone

|rev8score = {{rating|3|5}}{{cite magazine|last=Grow|first=Kory|title=Slayer – Repentless|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/slayer-repentless-20150911|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=September 11, 2015|access-date=September 12, 2015}}

|rev9 = Spin

|rev9score = 6/10{{cite web|last=Kelly|first=Kim|title=Slayer – Repentless|url=http://www.spin.com/2015/09/review-slayer-repentless/|website=Spin|date=September 14, 2015|access-date=September 16, 2015}}

|rev10 = Uncut

|rev10score= {{rating|3.5|5}}

}}

In April 2014, the band released "Implode" for free. Rolling Stone said the song "plays out like classic Slayer," although the lyrics were described as "expect[ed]" subject matter.{{cite web|last1=Grow|first1=Kory|title=Slayer Debuts New Song 'Implode' During Surprise Golden Gods Appearance|url=http://Rollingstone.com|access-date=January 11, 2015|date=April 24, 2014}} Alex Young of Consequences of Sound called the song a "pummeling assault of metal music."{{cite web|last1=Young|first1=Alex|title=Listen: Slayer's "Implode", the Band's First New Song in Five Years|url=http://consequenceofsound.net/2014/04/listen-slayers-implode-the-bands-first-new-song-in-five-years/|website=Consequences of Sound|access-date=January 11, 2015|date=April 24, 2015}} In January 2015, the album, yet to be titled at the time, was mentioned by Loudwire as one of the "30 Most Anticipated Rock + Metal Albums of 2015," alongside expected albums by bands like Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Anthrax, Megadeth, Testament, Metallica and Tool.{{cite web|last1=Hartmann|first1=Graham "Gruhamed"|title=30 Most Anticipated Rock + Metal Albums of 2015|url=http://loudwire.com/most-anticipated-rock-metal-albums-2015/#photogallery-1=27|work=Loudwire|date=January 9, 2015|access-date=January 11, 2015}} Repentless sold 49,000 copies in its first week and debuted number four on the US Billboard 200, the band's highest position in its native country.{{cite magazine|last=Kreps|first=Daniel|title=On the Charts: Slayer Capture Best Debut With Repentless|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/on-the-charts-slayer-capture-best-debut-with-repentless-20150921|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=September 21, 2015|access-date=September 21, 2015}} The album fell to number 34 on the Billboard 200 in its second week, selling 11,000 copies.{{cite web|last=Brown|first=Matt|title=Metal By Numbers 9/30: Fortune shines down on the charts|url=http://www.metalinsider.net/columns/metal-by-numbers/metal-by-numbers-930-fortune-shines-down-on-the-charts|website=Metal Insider|date=September 30, 2015|access-date=September 30, 2015}} Seven weeks after being released, Repentless sold over 80,000 copies in the US.{{cite web|last=Brown|first=Matt|title=Metal By Numbers 11/11: The charts have gone Def|url=http://www.metalinsider.net/columns/metal-by-numbers/metal-by-numbers-1111-the-charts-have-gone-def|website=Metal Insider|date=November 11, 2015|access-date=July 21, 2016}}

Repentless received generally positive reviews on Metacritic. Writing for Exclaim!, Greg Pratt said that Repentless "isn't going to be one of the classic Slayer albums, but there's still plenty of good thrash to be found." Journalist J.C. Maçek III of Spectrum Culture wrote "The truth is that it might be easy to dismiss Slayer after almost 35 years as a nostalgic metal act. This would be a travesty and a mistake. Slayer not only has something new to say on Repentless, but a new way to say it."{{cite web|work=Spectrum Culture|title=Slayer: Repentless|author=Maçek III, J.C.|url=http://spectrumculture.com/2015/09/22/slayer-repentless/|date=September 22, 2015}} AllMusic writer Thom Jurek gave the album three out of five stars, calling Repentless "a retro, workmanlike effort from a band determined to soldier on, and that's fine. There are hardcore devotees who never want their favorite bands to change; this is for them. But again, given all that's transpired since 2009, Slayer get points for even pulling this off." The Guardian stated that "Slayer have always been a model of consistency and a band that fans of vicious, vein-bursting heavy metal can rely on." Kim Kelly, writing in Spin was less enthusiastic, calling the album "middling" and stating that it "mostly falls flat."

Year-end rankings

Decade-end rankings

All songs written by Kerry King & Tom Araya except where noted{{cite web |last1=Repertory |title=Slayer Repertory |url=https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/performer/SLAYER?page=1 |website=ASCAP |access-date=10 March 2022}}

{{Tracklist

| title1 = Delusions of Saviour

| writer1 = King

| note1 = instrumental

| length1 = 1:55

| title2 = Repentless

| writer2 =

| length2 = 3:19

| title3 = Take Control

| writer3 =

| length3 = 3:14

| title4 = Vices

| length4 = 3:32

| title5 = Cast the First Stone

| length5 = 3:43

| title6 = When the Stillness Comes

| length6 = 4:20

| title7 = Chasing Death

| length7 = 3:45

| title8 = Implode

| length8 = 3:49

| title9 = Piano Wire

| writer9 = Jeff Hanneman

| music9 =

| length9 = 2:49

| title10 = Atrocity Vendor

| writer10 = King

| length10 = 2:55

| title11 = You Against You

| length11 = 4:20

| title12 = Pride in Prejudice

| length12 = 4:14

| total_length = 41:55

}}

{{tracklist

| headline = Japanese edition bonus tracks

| title13 = War Ensemble

| writer13 = Araya, Hanneman

| note13 = live at Wacken 2014

| length13 = 4:59

| title14 = Black Magic

| writer14 = King, Hanneman

| note14 = live at Wacken 2014

| length14 = 3:53

| total_length = 50:47

}}

{{col-start}}

{{col-2}}

;Slayer

• Tom Araya – bass, vocals
• Kerry King – guitars
• Gary Holt – guitars
• Paul Bostaph – drums

;Production

• Terry Date – production, engineering, mixing
• Peter Mack – additional engineering
• Derrick Stockwell – assistant engineering
• Howie Weinberg – mastering at Weinberg Mastering, Los Angeles, CA
• John Araya – studio bass and guitar technician
• John Goss and Gene Provencio – studio drum technician

{{col-2}}

;Artwork

• Marcelo Vasco – cover artwork
• Marcelo Vasco and Rob Kimura – album layouts
• Andrew Stuart – photography

;Management

• Rick Sales, Kristen Mulderig and Ernie H. Gonzalez – management for The Rick Sales Entertainment Group
• Scott D. Harrington – legal
• Bill Vuylsteke, Shelley Venemann & Angela DeSimone – business Management for Provident Financial Group
• Heidi Ellen Robinson Fitzgerald – North America publicity
• Jaap Wagemaker – Worldwide publicity
• Michelle Kerr – UK publicity
• John Dittmar & Scott Sokol – North America booking for Pinnacle Entertainment
• John Jackson – worldwide booking for K2
• Markus Staiger, Gerardo Martinez, Tobias Pflectschinger – record label management

{{col-end}}

{{col-start}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Poland|type=album|artist=Slayer|title=Repentless|award=Gold|relyear=2015|certyear=2019|access-date=February 28, 2019}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|nosales=true | noshipments=true}}

{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

• {{Discogs master|type=album|852664|name=Repentless}}

{{Slayer}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Slayer albums

Category:2015 albums

Category:Nuclear Blast albums