I like Exodus, I really do. They're a Bay Area thrash institution. It's really cool that they tried to keep the name alive throughout the dark, metal-unfriendly '90s, and I guess it's cool that they continue to this day. However, they really made only one keeper as far as I'm concerned, but man, it's really the best thrash album ever laid down. Just by the sheer might of Bonded By Blood alone have I been able to forgive Exodus for some serious transgressions. This was Exodus in their prime, young and dumb. Baloff was a lovable lout singing a bit beyond his range about violence, violent metal, violent occultism, violent fish...And then there's the H Squad (Gary Holt and Rick Hunolt for the posers out there) just blazing through riffs that Metallica wished they had (I think they "borrowed" a few anyways). I assume that most of you are familiar with this album and it's knuckle-dragging genius, but out there, somewhere, is someone who hasn't been given a lesson in violence. Some uptight, button-down square that has never felt the strike of the beast that is Exodus, or at least as they were in 1985. Now bang your head against the stage. Metal takes its price. R.I.P. Baloff.
29 comments:
I dunno, I liked Fabulous Disaster and Impact Is Imminent. I have no hate for Steve Souza. I frequently find myself muttering "...like the coming of the tiiiiide" for no apparent reason.
But yeah, this album rips. Thanks.
recently they rerecorded the songs off this album and released them under the title "let there be blood"!who on earth thought this was a good idea?
They had their ups and downs, but having spawned THE thrash album of all times... And why they had to re-record this 'in honour of' Paul Baloff by erasing him is a mystery to me too... Let there be cash I guess...
I was just this morning thinking about this album and how much better it is than all of their others. I can't believe they covered "Low Rider" on Fabulous Disaster. It's moves like that that kept them from being top tier.
Exodus were the heart 'n soul of the Bay Area Metal Scene in the beginning... What it looked like back in The Day:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/umlaut555/sets/72157607944202313/
Great album. I always loved the intro to "Pleasures of the Flesh" with the guy going on about his salad and baked potato. "Tempo of the Damned" has some great tracks but then I understand the next release was seven minute long bore-offs.
..."It ain't no goldfish and it ain't no trout!"
Best-album-ever!!
As far as I'm concerned, Exodus died with Baloff. But man, it was an awesome ride. A truly great album, nice work Aesop.
PS "Shovel-Headed Kill Machine"? "The Atrocity Exhibition"? Why, Exodus, why?!
Easily one of my all time favorite metal records. Thanks for posting this. It's a classic.
Great record with funny lyrics. "The beast is right behind you breathing fire in your face" I love this record.
yeah, this album rule when i first got it, it didn't leave my cd player for weeks
Dave, I never caught the absurdity of that lyric. Anyways, just makes me love the record more.
Kinda cute when Svart said "It didn't leave my cd player for weeks " It didn't leave my TURNTABLE for months when it came out, With a onion tied around my belt, which was the fashion at the time.
-jabladav
I love it. The Hearse is all ages. No crime in being born late, or early for that matter.
I haven't heard the re-recorded version of this but anyone who attempted to claim this album is anything but thrash metal brilliance is a bold faced liar. Their newer Andy Sneap helmed affairs are about as good as you could hope given the circumstances. Not terrible at all but nothing I listen to on a regular basis.
As much as I love this album I can't claim its the best thrash album ever. Just TOO many goddamn good releases for my ears. Darkness Descends, Pleasure to Kill, Spectrum of Death, Killing Technology, Victims of Deception, Hell Awaits, Forward to Termination, Eternal Nightmare, Infernal Overkill, Chemical Exposure, Slaughter in the Vatican, Peace Sells, Punishment for Decadence, Survive... the list goes on forever.
Awesome, thanks for putting this up.
This is one of those albums i skipped when getting into thrash because my 12 year old mind thought a)the impact is imminent cover looked better and b)the nuclear assault album survive looked better yet with the yellow smoggy skull and the topical cover. Siamese devil babies just wasn't topical in 1989, sadly enough.
I'm gonna ground my inner 12 year old for this transgression I assure you.
BTW, that flickr album posted by umlaut is wonderful - thanks aesop and umlaut!!
Here's another Aesop. " Piranha kill in a pack--You'll run" Last I checked piranha liked in water lol...I am deep into this record obviously hahaha
A few years ago when I worked at Bottom of the Hill, these guys OPENED for SUM 41...
It was at Sum 41's request that they get to play w/ them.
It was an interesting day, and I had fun when they played.
i feel honored to have witnessed Exodus play "Bonded by Blood" to a crowd of 14 year-olds who pretty much had NO CLUE as to who they were. Holt had his kids there, and many of the parents of the kids were old fans, so it was pretty surreal.
I've had great times partying w/ the H-Squad.
Awesome dudes.
another one old people really dig...
I always took the absurd lyric thing to be a reference to Christ's reaction when tempted by Satan, i.e. "Get thee behind me, Satan." Maybe I read too much into that. I mean, Exodus aint DsO.
As usual, many thanks.
Damn. Didn't realize I was a buttoned down square- I'll blame my youth. Thanks for this slab of metal awesomeness.
Played the shit out of this one in '85! One of the highlights of my adolescence.
"...but man, it's really the best thrash album ever laid down."
Agreed whole-heartedly.
Fabulous disaster is the BOMB, but never really gets the love. I always wonder why the UFC dudes never enter the octagon with any of their tunes.
Only Exodus album you need. I've listened to this about a million times and the lyrics still crack me up. "Lesson in Violence" is the best. I'd put this album up against any of the finest thrash albums ever made.
Links down =(=(
i want to like the newer exodus,because i fucking love bonded by blood,but i just cant. i try,but theres something kinda meaty about the singer that turns me off
Post a Comment