We Have Ignition
The more interviews with thrash fans and thrash bands I've read the more I realised just how much impact Exodus' come back album 'Tempo Of The Damned' has had. For myself it was the album I'd been waiting for all through grunge and nu-metal and the album I've been judging every thrash album against since. It was quickly followed a year later by 'Shovel Headed Kill Machine.' '...Kill Machine' was a blistering effort in it's own right, but the toll of line-up changes, most notably singer Steve Souza for Rob Dukes, meant it didn't have the edge of 'Tempo...' Exodus prove what a prolific bunch they are by releasing 'The Atrocity Exhibition: Exhibit A.' their third album since 2004. Not only is the band making up for lost time they are chocking out slabs of quality thrash with unnerving regularity.
'Atrocity' isn't as good as 'Tempo' but it's better and more focused than 'Kill Machine'. The band has decided to concentrate on eight songs (plus intro) rather than stretching it to ten. This has led to the overall song quality being very high. Listening to 'Riot Act', 'Funeral Hymn' and 'Children Of A Worthless God' really knocks you back in your seat as Gary Holt and his cronies deliver riff after riff after riff of delicious thrash. We've definitely got one huge boot in the eighties, which is understandable considering when Exodus originally started. However, 'Atrocity' has a crisp, dry and tight production to it, something that the thrash movement rarely had back in the day. Because of the punchy sound and spit and venom attitude, this album has a modern edge to it even though it's stylised in a relatively old genre.
Although it grieves me to admit, the album is flawed in a couple of areas. Firstly, the songs are very long and their structures are drawn out at times most notably in the album's ten-minute title track. Having said that, 'Children Of A Worthless God' is over eight minutes and it sure as hell didn't feel that long. I guess it all boils down to how much you connect with the riffs to whether you start to drift off. 'As It Was, As It Soon Shall Be' is too much of a hangover from 'Kill Machine.' It's a decent enough song but it's more of a recycled mid tempo idea rather than a tune that stretches what Exodus as all about.
I have to mention Rob Dukes because it couldn't have been easy replacing the mighty Steve Souza. He doesn't have the character or as much attitude as his predecessor, but his live performances and his delivery on 'Atrocity' is beginning to win me over, as it will many Exodus fans. He still won't be as good as Exodus' previous vocalists but he's equipping himself well and the bad seem comfortable with him which is enough for me. If you didn't like his style on 'Kill Machine' then you won't find any joy here. Although I will mention his clean singing on 'Children Of A Worthless God.' It's a nice unexpected touch without resorting to the 'Soilwork's' of this world, and perhaps an avenue worth exploring on future releases.
In summary, Exodus has delivered and then some on their third come back album. Some fans won't be able to let the past go, some will naysay regarding Dukes and the unfortunate line up changes. This is only natural and understandable, but also a shame because 'Atrocity' is a truly excellent album with solos and axe work that would make Trivium shit their pants. My advice to all metal fans is to lap this up quickly because I hear 'Exhibit B' will be with us next year. Bring it on.