Jun
5
Album Review: Exodus-Exhibit B
In the Year of our Lord, 2010, San Francisco’s preeminent peddlers of thrash vitriol hath come down to deliver us a brutal aural spanking that’ll leave our ears sore for days. No kidding, Exodus haven’t sounded this intense since…why, never. Until this “Exhibit B” came along. Where its predecessor was a bloated affair armed to the teeth with huge songs and acidic lyrical fusillades by the gruff Rob Dukes, whose vocals continue to divide the fans despite the contemporary edge it lends Exodus, the sequel is far more incendiary in almost every aspect.
After listening to the album nonstop for the better part of two weeks, this writer is quick to point out how some of the songs here aren’t up to snatch, but there’s certainly enough solid material that sound destined for a permanent place in Exodus’ set list. Opener “The Ballad of Leonard And Charles” certainly ranks among its strongest moments, blessed as it is with a soothing intro before the twin guitar mayhem begins to boil and before you can utter ‘holy shit’ the band are at it like an orangutan in heat. That may have been a terrible abuse of verbiage, but “Ballad” just crunches so hard, you might wanna check with your dentist after a cursory listen.
Ensuing tracks such as “Beyond The Pale” and the invigorating anthem that follows it keep the album’s momentum intact before the next tidal wave of brutality. “Class Dismissed (A Hate Primer)” is Exodus at their most venomous. It features one of the gnarliest riffs ever conceived by Gary Holt married to Tom Hunting’s seismic percussion work. On top of this boiling maelstrom are Rob Dukes’ tortured utterances, which recounts the grisly activities of a deranged college student who decides to go on a shooting spree. Characteristic of most Exodus barrages that clock in past five minutes, the entire mid-section where the guitar duel erupts is a total mess and once it careens headlong toward its bitter ending your ears are begging reprieve.
Since thrash metal’s producer of choice worked the knobs on the album, expect utter perfection in Exodus’ modern repertoire. The real weakness of “Exhibit B” are the occasionally boring tracks that simply rehash the quintet’s long familiar ingredients. It’s a common pitfall for prolific recording artists who are obsessed with creating a wealth of material. But as a complete package, “Exhibit B” is ace.
-Miguel
