THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: exodus

EXODUS – Bonded By Blood

March 25, 2023 /

A band that gets overlooked somewhat when we are talking about the beginnings of thrash. Exodus should be included in the so-called “big four,” as other than Metallica’s Kill Em All, Bonded By Blood is the best early thrash album.

No let up right from the get go, it’s pedal firmly to the metal all the way. That twin guitar of Holt and Hunholt was the best, coupled with the crazed vocal style of Paul Baloff, who sadly is no longer with us, made Exodus special. Piranha, Strike Of The Beast, and my favourite A Lesson In Violence are insanely killer thrash epics.

Of course, Baloff was replaced by Zetro Souza after this album and I do love the records that came after, but this was a special album at a special place in time that will never be repeated.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

EXODUS – Persona Non Grata

March 24, 2022 /

I have been a huge fan of Exodus right from the off, from the amazing Bonded By Blood with Paul Baloff on vocals (which is one of the best original thrash albums), through to the four albums after that with Zetro on vocals. After that, they seemed to lose their way with lots of internal conflicts, member changes, and record company issues. The band had the knack of writing killer riffs but playing them with a groove that just made you want to move.

This is the second album in succession to have Zetro back on vocals, and it’s one hell of a heavy record. Lee Altus (ex of Heathen and Die Krups) is on guitar alongside Gary Holt. The tracks that do it for me on this release are the ones with the riffs and the groove, and the best example of that is The Beatings Will Continue Until Moral Improves, which is a delightful journey back to old school thrash romp. The guitar playing of both Holt and Altus is top drawer. Clickbait is insane and the speed is off the charts. My favourite on the album is Lunatic Liar Lord, which starts with an acoustic intro before the main riff and groove kick in – I love how the tempo slows and the breakdown is really cool.

It’s nice to know that Exodus are still up and grooving and they hopefully have found a bit of stability.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

EXODUS – Fabulous Disaster

October 9, 2021 /

This is the band’s third album released in ’89, and to me, they should be in “the big four” and not Slayer. For starters, they are better players, they write better songs, and they have a knack for writing killer grooves and hooks. The title track alone is better than anything that Slayer have put out, and it is the perfect thrash metal tune.

The whole first side is so good and gives Bonded By Blood a close run. Just to prove they are not a one trick pony, they come out with killer tracks like Cajun Hell, which sees the band thinking outside the box. This is an awesome track with a great groove and vibe. My favourite track is Verbal Razors which just smokes.

I’m sure most thrash fans will already own this, but if you don’t, then go out and procure one as it’s a great record.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

EXODUS – Pleasures Of The Flesh

March 26, 2021 /

This is the second album from the Bay Area thrash pioneers, and the first with vocalist Steve “Zetro” Souza – original singer (the crazy Paul Baloff) walked out whilst writing was in progress for this album, but he gets writing credits for his contribution. For those who do not know the history of the band, Exodus were arguably the first thrash band of the period, and Kirk Hammet was a founding member before joining Metallica. Whereas Metallica slowed down their approach which gave them a wider appeal, Exodus stuck to their guns and stayed true to the thrash. The first four albums are classics of the genre. Bonded By Blood gets all the attention, but the next three are all good albums.

Deranged, the opening track, has a deranged-criminal-creepy-spoken word intro, before thrashing your brain accordingly. It’s all pretty much standard Bay Area thrash apart from Brain Dead, which has a killer chugga riff, and steps slightly sidewise off the path and makes it more interesting. The title track, which is the best track on the album, and again sees the band trying different things. The other stand out track is Chemi-Kill, which has a nice intro and a killer riff.

I know most old school thrash aficionados will probably own this and rightly so.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

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