Author: Rok Klemše
Artist: Exodus
Label: Nuclear Blast
Released: 2007
Exodus are still one of the greatest and most influential thrash metal bands ever to step on a concert stage, yet they’ve never (unfairly) been counted among the “Big Four” (Metallica, Megadeth, Anthrax, Slayer). One of the longest-surviving thrash bands out there, going strong since 1980 with a few breaks along the way, they’ve been climbing to the top of thrash at an unstoppable pace since their comeback in 2001, and they already kick the asses of most of the “big boys” without breaking a sweat. The groundbreaking 1985 release, Bonded By Blood, is considered one of metal’s brightest moments, period, Shovel Headed Kill Machine proved in 2005 that Exodus are very much alive, and The Atrocity Exhibition: Exhibit A is flattening everything in its path.
Before the album came out, guitarist Gary Holt said this about it: “there will never be anything this brutal again, and something that will define the genre. It’s an epic beast, but the follow-up will take it even further.” Holt isn’t known as a big windbag, so expectations were huge. Exhibit A is of course far from something that would define and change the entire genre, but it’s an excellent piece of work that proves why Exodus are such a big name. Exodus take no prisoners — they shoot first and ask questions later. Exhibit A is a pure thrash massacre! Exodus call us to arms with an incredible intro, totally untypical for them, A Call to Arms, which, with killer riffs and drums dictating a battle march, hurls us into the storm commanded by the devastating riffs of the wrecking-ball Riot Act. “Exodus attack!” Right from the start you notice Rob Dukes’ vocal progress — he’s improved his voice massively compared to Shovel Headed Kill Machine. Dukes sounds like a general! Convincing, mature, energetic and damn brutal. Of all the thrash vocalists, Dukes had the toughest job: filling the shoes of Paul Baloff and Steve Souza, two thrash icons, was no easy task, but on Exhibit A Rob proves that, despite his very different, almost hardcore-style vocals, he’s pulled it off brilliantly. This time Rob even surprises us with clean vocals in Children of a Worthless God. He’s no Pavarotti, but within his limits he shines both with clean singing and with an excellent thrashy “snarl”.
Exodus are one of the few bands that have survived so many lineup changes, which obviously only make them stronger. The band’s guru Gary Holt and second guitarist Lee Altus (Heathen) show themselves on Exhibit A as true steel masters. The venomous, razor-sharp riffs sound like they’re cutting through steel! And from this duo you wouldn’t expect anything less than supernaturally good, divine thrash metal “trade-off” solos anyway. The drums sound crystal clear, and returning member Tom Hunting pounds the skins like his life depends on it. The galloping bass drums and fills, together with that mystical thrash creature known as the bassist, are a real treat. Yes, Andy Sneap’s excellent production makes sure Jack Gibson’s bass guitar is nicely audible and forms a bombastic foundation for the guitars. Andy’s mixing desk is clearly an epicenter, because the breathtaking production, with torpedoing drums and sharp guitars, causes proper earthquakes, and I can honestly say Exhibit A is one of the best-produced records in recent memory.
Exhibit A stops the stopwatch at almost a full hour, which with nine tracks means four of them run around eight minutes each, and the title track only wraps up after ten and a half minutes. Long songs can only be a good thing if there’s constantly something happening in them, they’re dynamic, they don’t repeat themselves and don’t get boring. On the other hand, songs that long can of course mean something else entirely… a flop. Luckily, Exodus mostly pull off the former. The average Funeral Hymn, at eight and a half minutes, unfortunately eats up a big chunk of the album, and the filler The Garden of Bleeding, wedged between the murderous Iconoclasm and Bedlam 123, takes a bite out of its greatness too. But the rest of what Exodus offer on Exhibit A is a pure lesson in modern thrash metal. Exodus unleash their rage at everything that’s wrong with the world today, call fiercely for rebellion in Riot Act (Rise up and revolt/Overthrow the government /Level all the temples/Destroy the monuments), criticize Islam in a somewhat clichéd way in Children of a Worthless God, warn of the approach of World War III (As It Was, As It Soon Shall Be) and condemn the depravity of organized religions.
The Atrocity Exhibition: Exhibit A is an excellent record of relentless, stormy thrash metal, representing one of the best moments in Exodus’ discography. It has a few weaker moments, but with such an abundance of venomous thrash they’re easy to forget. In 2007, Exodus are still a destructive force, opening the doors to an exhibition that will no doubt draw a nice crowd. The doors to the Exhibit B wing open next year…
Lineup
Rob Dukes – vocals
Gary Holt – guitar
Lee Altus – guitar
Jack Gibson – bass
Tom Hunting – drums
Production
Andy Sneap
Tracklist
1. A Call To Arms 01:33
2. Riot Act 03:37
3. Funeral Hymn 08:37
4. Children Of A Worthless God 08:24
5. As It Was, As It Soon Shall Be 05:15
6. The Atrocity Exhibition 10:33
7. Iconoclasm 07:54
8. The Garden Of Bleeding 05:49
9. Bedlam 123 07:59
