Exodus were formed in the San Francisco Bay Area by Tom Hunting and Kirk Hammet back in 1982. Soon Gary Holt and Paul Baloff joined the ranks. They were one of the pioneering bands in the rising thrash metal scene. A year later, Kirk Hammet left to take Dave Mustaine's place in Metallica, and Exodus added Rick Hunolt and Rob McKillop to their ranks. They recorded their debut album, 'Bonded By Blood', which is released in 1985. After a successful tour, Paul Baloff is let go, and replaced with Steve "Zetro" Souza (ex-Legacy, the band who would later become Testament). After experiencing a host of record company and personal problems, Exodus eventually split up in 1992. Then in late 1996 Paul Baloff, Gary Holt, Rick Hunolt, tom Hunting and new bass-player Jack Gibson reunited, only to split up again the next year. In 2001 the band once again emerged, this time to participate in the Trash of the Titans tour, a benefit tour to aid Testament vocalist Chuck Billy. After the tour, Exodus once again begins working on new material. Unfortunately disaster strikes on February 2, 2002, when Paul Valoff suffers a stroke, which ultimately takes his life. Compelled to continue the legacy Paul was a part of, the remaining members agree to continue. "Zetro" returns to the ranks, and the band is now more powerful then ever!
BONDED BY BLOOD (1985) COMBAT
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Line-up: Rick Hunholt - Guitar Paul Baloff - Vocals Rob McKillop - Bass Tom Hunting - Drums Gary Holt - Guitar |
What can I say about this album then? This has got to be one of the best thrash albums of all times. It is certainly a huge classic in it's genre, and it's not hard to see why. Shredding guitar riffs, and a really awesome vocal. This ranks alongside Metallica's 'Kill 'em All' and Anthrax 'Spreading The Disease'. A MUST!
Killer tracks: Unfair to pick faves
FORCE
OF HABIT (1992) CAPITOL
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Line-up: Rick Hunholt - Guitar Steve Souza - Vocals Mike Butler - Bass John Tempesta - Drums Gary Holt - Guitar |
Hearing a classic thrash band's 1992 release for the first time in 2002 gives me mixed feelings. VERY few bands have continued to put out stellar albums, WITHOUT changing styles, or jumping on some bandwagons. Exodus however manages to pull this one off. Maybe it's because they never really quit, and so this is just a logical step further in their career. Behind one of the worst covers in metal history, we find some very enjoyable music. This band have not forgotten their roots, and many of the songs are as thrash metal as the band ever was. What a delight! But on the other hands, there are so many songs on the platter, it is almost bound to be some less good tracks on it. Exodus drown a little bit when they try to play more regular power metal, and if they had thrown away 1/3 of the songs, it would have been an even more enjoyable CD. "Bitch" is a Rolling Stones cover and "Pump It Up" is an Elvis Costello cover. None of them very good. And the 10 minute + "Architect Of Pain" is another one I could have done without. If you wonder if anyone could make good thrash metal in the year 1992, give "Fuel For The Fire" a spin!
Killer tracks: Force Of Habit, Fuel For The Fire, Count Your Blessings
ANOTHER LESSON IN VIOLENCE (1997) CENTURY MEDIA
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Line-up: Rick Hunholt - Guitar Paul Baloff - Vocals Jack Gibson - Bass Tom Hunting - Drums Gary Holt - Guitar Recorded live at the Trocadero, San Francisco, California on March 8th, 1997 |
Exodus had a rather short lived reunion back in the late 90's, and this is the fruits of that time period. 'Another Lesson In Violence' is a live album, recorded at the infamous Trocadero is San Francisco. The band sounds good and tight, but I prefer the album versions of most songs. The crowd interaction is mixed in very low, and I would have preferred it otherwise. All in all though, you can't beat classics such as "Pleasures Of The Flesh", "Piranha" and "Seeds Of Hate". Concentrating mainly on the first album, featuring original vocalist, Paul Baloff, we also get treated to some stuff from 'Pleasures Of The Flesh'. "Impaler" is a very old track, written back when Kirk Hammet was still in the band, and never properly recorded until 'Tempo Of The Damned'. I've never understood why they have to include the f*** word every other second they utter something in between songs though.
TEMPO
OF THE DAMNED (2004) NUCLEAR BLAST (Digi-pack)
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Line-up: Gary Holt - Guitars Steve Souza - Vocals Rick Hunolt - Guitars Tom Hunting - Drums Jack Gibson - Bass
* = bonus track |
Exodus are BACK!!!!!!!! The finest comeback album I've ever heard has arrived. 'Tempo Of The Damned' is by far the best thrash metal album since Kreator's 'Violent Revolution'. They really are back in form, much thanks to the clever production of one Andy Sneap. "Zetro" screams, shouts, snarls, growls and sounds better than ever. Gary and Rick are churning out a massive wall of guitars, sounding very 80's thrash metal! The song "Impaler" was actually written by the band back when Kirk Hammet was still in their ranks. They just never recorded it until now. What more can a metalhead want? I must say that the album does have one downside to it. The language used here is very immature. F*** this and f*** that just doesn't cut it for me these days. But then again, I'm not one who dwells on the lyrical aspect of most of my CD's. I love the artwork on here though. The digi-pack version also includes a cover of the AC/DC classic "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap", which the band pull of very well, staying close to the original.
Killer tracks: War Is My Shepherd, Blacklist, Forward March, Impaler
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