May 25, 2006 An Epic Easter with 'Exodus' / All Access Magazine
By Maya Dawn Henderson
Photos by Manrique Photos and Gene Ambo Photography
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Pull on your tightest jeans, slip on your leather jacket and fling your devil horns in the air! Exodus is here. This is old school power metal and damn it’s good! There is a certain inexplicable determination in Exodus. They don’t fit in with today’s “Nu-Metal” and that, to me is an absolute bonus, as they defiantly stand out from the pack of current generic pop-rockers around at the momet.
Combining elements that grab fistfuls of thrash, death and speed metal, Exodus is a full-on assault on the ears. Once you are able to adapt, however, it’s the kind of audible experience you don’t want to miss. On Easter Sunday night, the Bay Area Thrashers came and tore up the Key Club in West Hollywood. With a healthy dose of old songs, like 'Bonded by Blood' and 'Black List' and new stuff, like 'Deathamphetamine', they continue in a similar vein to their previous works, retaining the overriding sense of “playing for the right reason.” The old/new line-up mix was as tight as if they’d all been together for years.
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After all the hype and build-up, about ten other thrash acts, and the Conan the Barbarian introduction, Exodus stormed on to the Key Club stage and ripped the place apart. They packed the house and I was curious to see who’d turn up audience-wise, as I knew many of my personal So Cal Metal Head friends hadn’t been exposed to them. I wasn’t surprised to find the club packed with 909ers. Opening up with the title track from their latest CD, Shovelheaded Kill Machine, the moshing was instantaneous. Exodus lurched into Deathamphetamine after that, also from their newest works. Black List from the album,Tempo of the Damned was next and the drums were played Vinnie Paul-style, super tight, with jack-hammering double bass. The vocals remained safely within the realm of death metal, though there were sometimes clean vox as well. Up next, I Am Abomination, from their latest album had the screaming guitar solos and an intro that sounded not unlike Slayer’s “Seasons In The Abyss."
Gary Holt’s lead work and manic grin would have been the stand-out image of the night, were he not somewhat eclipsed by Paul Bostaph on drums. The ex-Forbidden and Slayer-basher had his own fan club there and lived up to his reputation. They did the thrash classic Bonded By Blood, which was well received by fans hurling themselves through the air. Now Thy Death Day Come had a Maiden feel with galloping, dueling guitars and vocals that would give Bruce Dickenson a run for his money. Altered Boy, also off Shovel Headed, brought the term “playing solid” to a whole new level. No Love, from their “Another Lesson In Violence” had an initial blur of speed, perfect to ignite an expectant crowd such as this evening’s throng. They did Brain Dead and Deranged and satisfied my craving for Pleasures of the Flesh.
t was 1982 when Gary Holt, Tom Hunting and Kirk Hammet started up Exodus. They found legendary Paul Baloff to front the band, making it complete. They were instantly sought after by the underground scene in the Bay Area. In 1983, Kirk joined Metallica and was replaced by Rick Hunolt. Soon after, Rob McKillop completed the powerful thrash project. Their debut “Bonded By Blood” was released two years later and became a thrash metal classic. They then toured all over the world with Slayer and Venom. Shortly before the second album, "Pleasures Of The Flesh" showed up in 1987, Baloff left the band was replaced by Steve "Zetro" Souza (ex-Legacy). The line-up and chemistry was working for the band all around. Then went on to do "Fabulous Disaster", "Impact Is Imminent" and "Force Of Habit", as well as the live album "Good Friendly Violent Fun" not to mention the compilation "Lessons In Violence". They covered songs like Low Rider and Dirty Deeds in their own power-driven Exodus style. They toured with the likes of Pantera, Anthrax, Motorhead, Black Sabbath, and Megadeth. Around that time, some of the band members split off in to another act and dubbed themselves Testament. 1992 saw the split of Exodus. A short reunion happened 1996, with their original singer Paul Baloff. They commenced on a tour throughout Europe and North America and the release of the second live record "Another Lesson In Violence". In September 2001, Exodus played the "Thrash Of The Titans" benefit show featuring Anthrax, S.O.D. and Death Angel and Testament. Afterwards, the band started writing new material. Tragically, in February 2002, Paul Baloff suffered a fatal stroke.
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They went on to do onslaught of more songs from the ever-extensive Exodus library. A Lesson In Violence and an encore of Shovel Headed being the final touch to a long night of metal from these headliners. It’s so great to see a band play for hours at the same intensity. Exodus is one of those anomalies of music that require you to listen to their product as a whole, rather than being able to decipher a favorite track, single it out and listen to it all the time. I hesitate to even refer to them as death metal, because that tag is really too constrictive for them. Back in the early 1980’s Exodus literally led the pack of well-known Bay Area thrash bands. I can attest. I was there.
It was 1982 when Gary Holt, Tom Hunting and Kirk Hammet started up Exodus. They found legendary Paul Baloff to front the band, making it complete. They were instantly sought after by the underground scene in the Bay Area. In 1983, Kirk joined Metallica and was replaced by Rick Hunolt. Soon after, Rob McKillop completed the powerful thrash project. Their debut “Bonded By Blood” was released two years later and became a thrash metal classic. They then toured all over the world with Slayer and Venom. Shortly before the second album, "Pleasures Of The Flesh" showed up in 1987, Baloff left the band was replaced by Steve "Zetro" Souza (ex-Legacy). The line-up and chemistry was working for the band all around. Then went on to do "Fabulous Disaster", "Impact Is Imminent" and "Force Of Habit", as well as the live album "Good Friendly Violent Fun" not to mention the compilation "Lessons In Violence". They covered songs like Low Rider and Dirty Deeds in their own power-driven Exodus style. They toured with the likes of Pantera, Anthrax, Motorhead, Black Sabbath, and Megadeth. Around that time, some of the band members split off in to another act and dubbed themselves Testament. 1992 saw the split of Exodus. A short reunion happened 1996, with their original singer Paul Baloff. They commenced on a tour throughout Europe and North America and the release of the second live record "Another Lesson In Violence". In September 2001, Exodus played the "Thrash Of The Titans" benefit show featuring Anthrax, S.O.D. and Death Angel and Testament. Afterwards, the band started writing new material. Tragically, in February 2002, Paul Baloff suffered a fatal stroke.
In 2003 it was Souza back at the microphone. Exodus continued working and finished the recording sessions for the ball-breaking comeback album "Tempo Of The Damned" in 2004. This album stayed true to their roots and still avoided being labeled as dated. Today Exodus is; staple member and co-founder, Gary Holt on lead guitar, former Heathen’s brilliant Lee Altus also on guitar, Jack Gibson on bass, newcomer Rob Dukes on vocals and thrash legend Paul Bostaph on drums.
This Easter evening, I attended the show with Exodus’ previous Production/Stage Manager, Mike Kanzler and Kerrang’s Star Photographer, Gene Ambo. The old friends reunited on the tour bus before the show. As they reminisced and caught up with each other, Gary explained to new vocalist, Rob, how Mike was actually the Cannibal on the back of the Pleasures of the Flesh CD. Lee had voiced how honored he was to be the band’s new front man. Their lack of pretentiousness is and always was refreshing. All the players take their roles in this band very seriously, yet still manage to let loose, party and have a great time on stage. It is hardly necessary to enumerate the power of songs like ‘Bonded By Blood’ still have on their audience. The energy created in the pit was really incredible and the songs curiously sound more fresh and vital in 2006 than they ever have. This may be an adulatory response, but gigs like this assuredly do not happen every week. www.exodusattack.com
~Maya Dawn Henderson~