Exodus - The Atrocity Exhibition...Exhibit A - 23.10.07

After all this time you would think that Californian thrash pioneers Exodus could muster up the courage to pen a collection of shreddy riffs rooted in a key other than E, but just in case the stonewashed denim-clad die-hards are thinking of legging it in fear, ‘The Atrocity Exhibition’ will not disappoint in this respect, at least.

The operatic twin guitars are as tight as ever, the drums and bass rumble like a well-oiled machine and Rob Dukes carries on his impressive form from ‘Shovel Headed Kill Machine’. ‘Funeral Hymn’ in particular thrashes some serious arse, as does ‘Iconoclasm’ and there’s no denying that these dudes can still deliver, but despite all these foundations in place, classic Exodus this aint.

Perhaps it’s to their detriment that every new release is met with such anticipation, with references to their ’85 masterpiece ‘Bonded By Blood’ on the tip of every critical tongue, but unfortunately status alone has never written a winning album yet.


Verdict :

JIM BURT