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Exodus: The atrocity exhibition - Exhibit A

02/07/10 || InquisitorGeneralis

Seems like Exodus catches a lot of shit for this record on here and the rest of the Interweb? I do not understand why, it’s pretty fucken good and while not anything insanely wonderful or mind-altering it is a solid release by a band that continues to get heavier with time. Sure, some of the songs are long but who the fuck cares? Last time I checked Exodus was not a grind band. If they were, I sure as fuck would not care about them. They were an old-school, bay area thrash band but over the years have been turning toward a dark sound with more death, groove, and heavy metal elements. Personally, I enjoy what they have done since 2004’s masterpiece “Tempo of the Damned”, much more than the 80’s and 90’s stuff: it heavier, sounds better, and just more up my Dew-Scented loving alley.

It seems that most of the haters out there dislike “Exhibit A” because of the lengthier tracks. Well cocksuckers, if you want to hear short Exodus tracks go listen to “Bonded by Blood”. I find the big boys on here to be the album’s strongest, most interesting songs. “Iconoclasm”, “Children of a worthless god”, “Funeral hymn”, and the title track all clock in at around eight or more minutes. However, they all feature plenty of rocking sections and solos where the band really lays into it. Some examples: three minutes into “Iconoclasm” Exodus dish out an old-school style breakdown even though the song itself has much heavier, modern sound. “Children of a worthless god” is my favorite song on here and features one solid, heavy groove after another. The shorter tracks on here are honestly more forgettable. One more huge plus for me is the production, I really like the way “Exhibit A” sounds: heavy guitars and drums, and noticeable bass, and vocals that do not overpower.

Speaking of vocals, Rob Dukes does a decent job. I would much rather see Zetro Souza on here because I really like the band’s style and sound now and would love to hear his class vocals on top of these heavier tracks. Still, Dukes does not ruin the music…but he is a douche deluxe live. So what if he sounds a little hardcore-esque? Thrash and hardcore were cut from the same vein so fuck off.

Holt and Altus are a top-notch guitar team who pump out some excellent dual-guitar lines and alternating solos. Tom Hunting, old as dirt he may be, lays it down on the drums: lots and lots of double bass tossed in with heavy grooves. Maybe it is age or a change in direction but Hunting really stands out on the slower parts of “Exhibit A”. The band overall is impressive and even as most of the members creep towards 50 I give them credit for not pussying out. Unlike a much more popular band from the 80’s Bay Area scene who feature a former Exodus member and who gladly traded style and edge for sweet, sweet greenbacks.

“The Atrocity Exhibition- Exhibit A” is not a perfect album at all: it does get a bit stale at points and it is far from being genre-bending or creative. But, it is solid all the way though and I give Exodus props for trying to do something different than what they did twenty five years ago. I still do not understand the hate for this album. Get over it it fuckos, Exodus is different now: Dukes ain’t Souza, this isn’t classic thrash like “Bonded by Blood”, and you have not seen a vagina since your mom shit your worthless ass out. Give this record a try at least and see for yourself.

7,5

Information
Released: 2007
Label: Nuclear Blast
Website: Exodus MySpace
Band
Rob Dukes: vocals
Gary Holt: guitars
Lee Altus: guitars
Jack Gibson: bass
Tom Hunting: drums

Tracklist
01. A Call To Arms
02. Riot Act
03. Funeral Hymn
04. Children Of A Worthless God
05. As It Was, As It Soon Shall Be
06. The Atrocity Exhibition
07. Iconoclasm
08. The Garden Of Bleeding
09. Bedlam 123

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