Editing Slayer (section)

===''Christ Illusion'' (2006–2008)===
[[File:Dave Lombardo.jpg|thumb|Original Slayer drummer [[Dave Lombardo]] rejoined the band in 2001 after a nine-year hiatus, and performed on the albums ''[[Christ Illusion]]'' (2006) and ''[[World Painted Blood]]'' (2009) before departing once again in 2013.]]
The next studio album, ''[[Christ Illusion]]'', was originally scheduled for release on June 6, 2006, and would be the first album with original drummer Lombardo since 1990's ''Seasons in the Abyss''.<ref name="KingUltimateGuitar">{{cite web|title=Slayer's Kerry King: The Art Of Writing Songs That Nobody Else Can Write|author=Matera, Joe|publisher=UltimateGuitar.com|date=August 4, 2006|url=http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/interviews/slayers_kerry_king_the_art_of_writing_songs_that_nobody_else_can_write.html?200608041041|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061215152912/http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/interviews/slayers_kerry_king_the_art_of_writing_songs_that_nobody_else_can_write.html?200608041041|archive-date=December 15, 2006|access-date=February 22, 2007}}</ref> However, the band decided to delay the release of the record, as they did not want to be among the many, according to King, "half-ass, stupid fucking loser bands" releasing records on June 6,<ref name="Slayer Recount VENOM 'Pissing' Incident">{{cite news|title=Slayer Recount Venom 'Pissing' incident |work=Blabbermouth.net |date=June 25, 2006 |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=54174 |access-date=January 16, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001002727/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=54174 |archive-date=October 1, 2007 }}</ref> although ''[[USA Today]]'' reported the idea was thwarted because the band failed to secure sufficient studio recording time.<ref name="Petrecca">{{cite news|title=Marketers hope 666 will be their lucky number|author=Petrecca, Laura|newspaper=USAToday.com|date=June 2, 2006|url=https://www.usatoday.com/money/media/2006-05-31-omen-marketing-usat_x.htm|access-date=February 22, 2007}}</ref> Slayer released ''[[Eternal Pyre]]'' on June 6 as a limited-edition [[extended play|EP]]. ''Eternal Pyre'' featured the song "Cult", a live performance of "[[War Ensemble (Slayer Song)|War Ensemble]]" in Germany and video footage of the band recording "Cult". Five thousand copies were released and sold exclusively through [[Hot Topic]] chain stores, selling out within hours of release.<ref name="'Eternal Pyre">{{cite news|title=Eternal Pyre |work=Blabbermouth.net |date=June 17, 2006 |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=53810 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606172809/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=53810 |archive-date=June 6, 2011 |access-date=December 1, 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref> On June 30, [[Nuclear Blast Records]] released a 7" vinyl picture disc version limited to a thousand copies.<ref name="Slayer: 'Eternal Pyre' 7 Vinyl Picture-Disc Single To Be Released This Month">{{cite news|title=Slayer: 'Eternal Pyre' 7" Vinyl Picture-Disc Single To Be Released This Month |work=Blabbermouth.net |date=June 27, 2006 |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=53810 |access-date=February 15, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070310174817/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=53810 |archive-date=March 10, 2007 }}</ref>

''Christ Illusion'' was eventually released on August 8, 2006, and debuted at number 5 on the ''Billboard'' 200, selling over 62,000 copies in its first week.<ref>{{cite press release|title=Slayer's "Christ Illusion" Is Band's Highest-Ever Billboard Chart Debut Entering at #5|publisher=Warner Bros. Records|date=August 16, 2006|url=http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/slayers-christ-illusion-is-bands-highest-ever-billboard-chart-debut-entering-at-5-694088.htm|access-date=February 28, 2014|archive-date=March 5, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305060305/http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/slayers-christ-illusion-is-bands-highest-ever-billboard-chart-debut-entering-at-5-694088.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> The album became Slayer's highest charting, improving on its previous highest-charting album, ''Divine Intervention'', which had debuted at number 8. However, despite its high positioning, the album dropped to number 44 in the following week.<ref name="Metal, Rock and Alternative Music Doing Well In Billboard">{{cite web|title=Metal, Rock and Alternative Music Doing Well In Billboard|publisher=Metalunderground.com|date=August 23, 2006|url=http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=21264|access-date=November 25, 2006}}</ref> Three weeks after the album's release, Slayer were inducted into the ''[[Kerrang!]]'' Hall of Fame for their influence to the heavy metal scene.<ref name="Lostprophets scoop rock honours">{{cite news|title=Lostprophets scoop rock honours|work=BBC News|date=August 25, 2006|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/5282780.stm|access-date=December 10, 2006}}</ref>

A worldwide tour dubbed [[The Unholy Alliance Tour]] was undertaken to support the new record. The tour was originally set to launch on June 6 in San Diego, but was postponed to June 10 as Araya had to undergo [[gall bladder]] surgery.<ref name="Slayer Frontman Undergoes Gallbladder Surgery, Band Reschedule Early 'Unholy Alliance' Dates">{{cite news|title=Slayer frontman undergoes gallbladder surgery, Band Reschedule Early 'Unholy Alliance' Dates |work=Blabbermouth.net |date=May 10, 2006 |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=52111 |access-date=December 9, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930235648/https://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=52111 |archive-date=September 30, 2007}}</ref> [[In Flames]], [[Mastodon (band)|Mastodon]], [[Children of Bodom]], [[Lamb of God (band)|Lamb of God]], and [[Thine Eyes Bleed]] (featuring Araya's brother, Johnny) and Ted Maul (London Hammersmith Apollo) were supporting Slayer.<ref name="Slayer's 'Unholy Alliance' tour grows">{{cite web|title=Slayer's 'Unholy Alliance' tour grows |author=Zahlaway, Jon |publisher=Livedaily.com |date=March 31, 2006 |url=http://www.livedaily.com/news/Slayers_Unholy_Alliance_tour_grows-9852.html?t=1 |access-date=November 29, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060414085744/http://www.livedaily.com/news/Slayers_Unholy_Alliance_tour_grows-9852.html?t=1 |archive-date=April 14, 2006 }}</ref> The tour made its way through America and Europe and the bands who participated, apart from Thine Eyes Bleed, reunited to perform at [[Japan]]'s [[Loudpark Festival]] on October 15, 2006.<ref name="Loud Park 2006 Unholy Alliance Stage">{{cite web|title=Loud Park 2006 Unholy Alliance Stage|publisher=Loudpark.com|date=September 4, 2006|url=http://www.loudpark.com/artist.html|access-date=December 24, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061117031716/http://www.loudpark.com/artist.html|archive-date=November 17, 2006}}</ref>

The video for the album's first single, "[[Eyes of the Insane]]", was released on October 30, 2006.<ref name="Eyes_of_the_Insane">{{cite web|title=Slayer release video for "Eyes Of the Insane"|publisher=Punknews.org|date=October 30, 2006|url=http://www.punknews.org/article/20607|access-date=December 2, 2006}}</ref> The track was featured on the ''[[Saw III]]'' soundtrack, and won a Grammy Award for "[[Best Metal Performance]]" at the 49th Grammy Awards, although the band was unable to attend due to touring obligations.<ref name="Slayer Wins GRAMMY In 'Best Metal Performance' Category">{{cite news|title=Slayer wins Grammy in 'Best Metal Performance' Category |work=Blabbermouth.net |date=February 11, 2007 |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=66845 |access-date=February 12, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070222001036/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=66845 |archive-date=February 22, 2007 }}</ref> A week later, the band visited the 52nd Services Squadron located on the Spangdahlem U.S. Air Force Base in Germany to meet and play a show. This was the first visit ever to a military base for the band.<ref name="Slayer To Visit U.S. Troops; U.S">{{cite news|title=Slayer To Visit U.S. Troops |work=Blabbermouth.net |date=October 31, 2006 |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=61345 |access-date=November 29, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070108123944/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=61345 |archive-date=January 8, 2007 }}</ref> The band made its first [[network TV]] appearance on the show ''[[Jimmy Kimmel Live!]]'' on January 19, playing the song "Eyes of the Insane", and four additional songs for fans after the show (although footage from "[[Jihad (song)|Jihad]]" was cut due to its controversial lyrical themes).<ref name="Slayer On 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!': 'Eyes Of The Insane' Performance Posted Online">{{cite news|title=Slayer on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!': 'Eyes Of The Insane' performance posted online |work=Blabbermouth.net |date=January 20, 2007 |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=65652 |access-date=February 28, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001010250/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=65652 |archive-date=October 1, 2007 }}</ref>

In 2007, Slayer toured Australia and New Zealand in April with Mastodon, and appeared at the [[Download Festival]], [[Rock Am Ring]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Slayer, Marilyn Manson, Killswitch Engage confirmed For UK's Download Festival |work=Blabbermouth.net |date=February 13, 2007 |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=66979 |access-date=February 16, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070310114728/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=66979 |archive-date=March 10, 2007 }}</ref> and a summer tour with [[Marilyn Manson (band)|Marilyn Manson]] and [[Bleeding Through]].<ref name="SMASHING PUMPKINS, MARILYN MANSON, Slayer Confirmed For Switzerland's GREENFIELD FESTIVAL">{{cite news|title=Smashing Pumpkins, Marilyn Manson, Slayer Confirmed For Switzerland's Greenfield Festival |work=Blabbermouth.net |date=February 6, 2007 |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=66565 |access-date=February 16, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930230329/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=66565 |archive-date=September 30, 2007 }}</ref>