This is the latest album from the ¨Bay-Area¨ thrash-metal band Exodus, this album is one of the heavier albums along with the previous album ¨Tempo Of The Damned¨ I would say. With Rob Dukes as new vocal replacement Exodus has become a more raw and heavier band than it was in its past. Back in the day the band was playing fast thrash metal and had vocals which sounded more like speaking and not singing, with time the band got more into heavy-metal but still had their thrash-formula in their material. In this album the past meets the future, the band still focuses on fast and skilled riffs and drumming while the harsh and aggressive vocals of Rob gives Exodus a new look compared to its past.
BAND MEMBERS
Rob Dukes – vocals
Gary Holt – guitars
Lee Altus – guitars
Jack Gibson – bass
Paul Bostaph – drums
TRACK INFORMATION
Raze (4:16)
Starts of with a heavy guitar riff and later turns into a fast thrashing frenzy, the drums is a good example of how they sounded at the beginning, which will say fast. The song is not a good opener to this album and the song is not as good that you want to hear it over and over again, but of course it depends on the listener. 3.5/5
Deathamphetamine (8:30)
Starts with a clear bass intro which is not that good unfortunately, along with the bass there is also string-scrapings. The song shifts in tempos, it is both heavy and ultra fast at some times. The riffing style changes between triplets and shredding riffs. This is the longest song and it may become boring, the guitar solo is fast and skilled but not melodic. 4/5
Karma’s Messenger (4:13)
This is also a fast song with chugging riffs and fast drumming, though the song is a bit catchy during the verse. The chorus gets more stomping and less catchy, but the bridge makes a good compensation to the chorus. The solo is good and so is the song. 4/5
Shudder To Think (4:48)
Starts with moderate heavy riffing and turns into a head banger song. This song is definitely one of the best songs of the album. The song is slower the previous songs but is very catchy. The whole song is perfect and the solo is a killer solo from Gary. This song is highly recommended. 5/5
I Am Abomination (3:25)
If you were head banging during the previous song you better continue because this song is also that kind of song. The song is a bit faster and delivers heavy and catchy riffing and double bass drumming while Rob is singing. A great song structure and a great solo make this song to one of the highlight songs. 5/5
Altered Boy (7:36)
This song is quite mellow compared to the rest of the songs. The riffing sounds a bit odd and the drums are not those machine-gun-fast drums, though the song is not so catchy. The guitar solo has an intro the sounds exactly like a song from the very old strategy game ¨Red Alert¨; I just had to write that. Not a great song but it holds up pretty good. 4/5
Going Going Gone (4:58)
This song sounds more like old-school Exodus, fast and complex riffing along with skilled fast drumming. The chorus sounds quite ¨happy¨, it actually reminds of the chorus in a song called ¨Fabulous Disaster¨. The solo sounds chaotic and disoriented which may be annoying to the listeners. 4/5
Now Thy Death Day Come (5:11)
Starts with fast chaotic riffing and high-speed drumming along with Rob’s death-metal vocals make this song to the less good songs. The song also switches tempo here and there is a small section with the bass alone, which may be enjoyable for bass players. The song is an average song that mixes different tempos. 3.5/5
.44 Magnum Opus (6:56)
This song is also a speeded song with fast riffing and drumming, the chorus is catchy and it sounds great too. The song describes a trigger-happy madman I would say because the lyrics is about this powerful .44 Magnum pistol and what you can achieve with it. The song has many great riffs and a good tempo. 5/5
Shovel Headed Kill Machine (2:57)
This song is about this machine which you can see on the album cover, the song starts as a thrashing frenzy and later slows down a bit when Rob stops singing. The song thrashes on a few seconds before it ends. Not a good ending song to this great album and this is the only song that has no guitar solo. 3.5/5
FINAL JUDGEMENT
I was very surprised when I bought this album and put it in my stereo, there was a lot of bass-frequency in the songs which I have never heard on other Exodus CD’s. That made the songs more interesting so I just had to do a track-by-track review. This is one of the greatest Exodus records I have heard yet and I would deeply recommend it to Exodus fans and other metal heads as well. Many people may be sceptical to the new vocalist but his vocals reminds pretty much of former member Steve Souza, except that Rob’s vocals is more raw and powerful, almost death-metal vocals. I think that this was one of the best thrash-metal albums in the year of 2005.
PROS
+ Great, strong vocals from Rob Dukes
+ Instrumentally great, no instrument is too loud or quiet
+ Awesome guitar work
+ The album contains lot of energy
+ Plenty of bass (which will make some bass players very happy)
CONS
- The guitar solos are skillfully performed but they can be annoying some times
RECOMMENDED TRACKS
• Shudder To Think
• I Am Abomination
• .44 Magnum Opus
• Altered Boy
OVERALL ALBUM RATING: 4.5/5
