ALBUM REVIEW: Exodus – Persona Non Grata


There’s a line in 1982 science fiction movie Blade Runner which goes: “The light that burns twice as bright burns half as long”. While this might be true, every rule has its exception and Bay Area thrashers Exodus are exactly that. Since dishing out their first full-length lesson in violence way back in 1985, the San Franciscan legends have seen off opposition from virtually everywhere. Even with an extended hiatus during the nineties the band’s absence never felt terminal, more like they were simply lying in wait to strike again.

Continue reading


Slipknot’s Jay Weinberg To Host Charity Concert For Best Buddies Foundation


 

Slipknot drummer Jay Weinberg will host a one-night-only all-star concert for charity on October 16 at Basement East in Nashville, TN. The concert will be all covers and feature a multitude of stars from the Rock and Metal world, including Troy Sanders of Mastodon, Ben Weinman of The Dillinger Escape Plan/Suicidal Tendencies, Jack Gibson of Exodus, Steven Brodsky of Mutoid Man and Cave In, Jay’s father Max Weinberg of Bruce Springsteen and many more! 100% of the proceeds from the event will benefit “Buddies on the Beat,” Weinberg’s charity through Best Buddies Tennessee – a nonprofit that creates one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.Continue reading


Exodus – Blood In, Blood Out


exodus-bloodinbloodout

 

With the Big Four of thrash metal currently mired in irrelevance and resorting to dodgy political statements, ill-advised collaborations and endlessly trading on former glories, thank the Gods for Exodus who have been cracking necks and causing mayhem in the pit ever since their barnstorming comeback album Tempo of the Damned (Nuclear Blast) breathed new life into a moribund scene back in 2004. Ten years later they sound even more alive and angry on tenth original full length Blood In, Blood Out (Nuclear Blast), a record that takes no prisoners.

Bringing back vocalist Steve “Zetro” Sousa for his third stint behind the mic has proven to be a masterstroke with his re-arrival seemingly inspiring his bandmates to up their game and play as if their lives depended on it. Over eleven vicious tracks lasting just over an hour, Sousa’s trademark screech gives the songs a sense of fatal urgency and direction. The lyrics may cover the standard war n’ gore topics as before but with Sousa sounding so utterly pissed-off, they take on a new dimension of relevance. It also helps that guitarists Gary Holt and Lee Altus have written some of the best riffs of their careers while the thunderous bass of Jack Gibson and the relentless percussion of Tom Hunting ensure everything remains at a scorching hot level throughout.

With so many stand-out tracks it’s hard to pick favourites but the relentless barrage and gang vocals of ‘Collateral Damage’, the precision chugs and catchiness of ‘Salt the Wound’ which features a guest appearance from none other than Kirk Hammett and the blistering thrash workout of ‘Numb’ all take the cake. Boosted by a great production job that makes all the instruments sound loud, thick and in-your-face, Blood In, Blood Out is a fantastic return to form and proves once again that the old dogs know best and could even teach some of the young pretenders a few new tricks.

8.0/10

Exodus on Facebook

JAMES CONWAY