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Band Name: Exodus
Album Name: Shovel Headed Kill Machine
Rating: 4.5 / 5 User Rating: 4.2 / 5
Label: Nuclear Blast Records
Buy Album: Amazon.com
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Tracklist
1. Raze
2. Deathamphetamine
3. Karma's Messenger
4. Shudder To Think
5. I Am Abomination
6. Altered Boy
7. Going Going Gone
8. Now Thy Death Day Come
9. 44 Magnum Opus
10. Shovel Headed Kill Machine
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Revamped, rejuvenated and ridiculously ass-kicking, Bay Area thrashers return with band veteran Gary Holt directly at the controls of this 'Shovel Headed Kill Machine.' After last year's somewhat uninspiring comeback album, 'Tempo Of The Damned', Exodus seemed ordained to loom as a retro novelty that could not quite match the outstanding accomplishments of glory days long past, but with a reworked group and a redefined intensity, Exodus have created an album that virtually deletes every other record the group has offered since 'Pleasures Of The Flesh', even the band's most popular to this point, 'Fabulous Disaster.'
Intensity abounds on this colossal record, from the driving, frantic 'Deathamphetamine' to the relentless 'Going, Going, Gone', Exodus have rekindled the character that made the group's albums so enticing in their younger days, spurred on by the introduction of respected ex-Heathen thrasher Lee Altus, a man that can slash a fretboard up as few in thrash metal can. New blood vocalist Rob Dukes has the perfect voice for the type of illimitable music that this band produces. His viciousness on 'Karma's Messenger' makes all the difference in giving the track a gruff, unforgiving edge. Simply stated, this dude has one hell of a set of pipes and his technique fits the music exceptionally well. What's odd is that the belter's projections have the timbre of a mixture between the group's two original wailers, Steve 'Zetro' Souza and Paul Baloff, while retaining his own presence.
'I Am Abomination' is a powerful as hell shit-kicker with a signature Holt riff. Featuring a compelling arrangement and a foreboding tone on the whole, this song is an example of a textbook Exodus killer and should be particularly devastating in the live arena. Digging in deep with a meaty mosh riff, 'Altered Boy' lashes out with an unrepentant neck shaker while Dukes growls with a malevolent authority. It's amazing how tight this band sounds and the addition of Paul Bostaph (Slayer, Forbidden, Testament) to the fold ensures a taut rhythm with his precision strikes and unremitting, hard-hitting skin pounding.
Opening with a torrential flurry, '44 Magnum Opus' delivers breakneck thrashing and a razor sharp edge that cuts to the bone and brings back memories of early Slayer combined with that instantly recognizable 'Pleasures Of The Flesh' vibe. Holt unloads with a ripper of a solo here and the stereo panning effect of the crisp guitars emphasizes the song's overall power when the rest of the band kicks back in with a bludgeoning beat.
In all aspects this record is a true skull-stacker, as Exodus shine with the hands-down most excellent thrash metal album of the year. Be certain to pick this pummeling platter up and catch this concert set when the 'Shovel Headed Kill Machine' slams through your locality. You can't go wrong with this grand return to form by these forefathers of thrash, so prepare to be plowed directly into the dirt. Exodus are back and this time, they're not letting anything or anyone stand in their path.
Review by: EF
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