SLAYER - SLAYER UNDER FIRE FROM CHRISTIAN GROUPS

Heavy metal band SLAYER are courting controversy among Christian groups by releasing sacrilegious artwork on their latest album. The cover for upcoming record CHRIST ILLUSION depicts a tattooed and amputated JESUS CHRIST standing in a sea of blood and corpses, and has infuriated right-wing religious groups. The Californian foursome are preparing themselves for a bitter backlash after the pictures were slammed as hurtful and grossly irreverent. However, guitarist KERRY KING defends the shocking imagery, saying, "We wanted Christ in a sea of despair. "The first version that came back looked like he was just chilling out in the water!" Frontman TOM ARAYA adds, "Then when they sent a new one he had his eyes half open and was surrounded by floating heads. It was much better because he looked like a drug addict!" Slayer hit the headlines last month (06JUN06) when fans desecrated a New York City seminary after being urged by a fansite to cause chaos on the so-called day of the devil. They have also angered 9/11 victims' families with extremist track JIHAD, which appears on their new album.