EXODUS
Goliath
Napalm Records

From the band that brought you the creed “ALL POSERS MUST DIE!”, Bay Area Thrash Legends EXODUS return with a new album. With releases always highly anticipated, this is their 12th to date and is also their debut on a new label, Napalm Records. Not only that, this is also marks the return of many peoples favorite EXODUS singer, Rob Dukes. Many remember his debut with the band on 2005’s ‘Shovel Headed Killing Machine’ which was also drummer Paul Bostaph’s (SLAYER) first and only appearance with the band making it a punch-you-in-the-face banger. Then there were a few good ones to follow such as the hour-and-10 minute album ‘The Atrocity Exhibition… Exhibit A’ with 8 and 10 minute songs, and the re-record classic of ‘Bonded By Blood’ titled ‘Let there be blood. Fast forward to about 10 years later and 5 years since the pandemic release of ‘Persona Non Grata’, EXODUS return with ‘Goliath’ with the hopes that fans will still embrace what the Bay Area Godfathers of Thrash have to offer.

The album starts off pretty strong with “3111”, for which they released an intensely graphic and gory video for, and “Hostis Humani Generis” which translates to “Enemy of Mankind”, both delivering on their promise, coming out of the gate with some good intensity. It’s here though that on the third track where things go a tad askew. The introductory melody on “The Changing Me” I wasn’t too crazy about as it felt too Metalcore and made me think I was about to hear some clean-singing. Then there it was, in the chorus, just faintly playing in the background. Furthermore I was shocked to learn this was a contribution by the Legend himself Peter Tägtgren (Hypocrisy), but that alone would barely be enough to peak interest on this song which seems to be aimed at new fans, those not too keen on the violent persona of early EXODUS. They bring it back a little with “Promise You This” that gave off some solid pit-like attitude, a song I could totally see added to their live playlist which we’ll find out soon as they hit the road with SEPULTURA and BIOHAARD for a Spring tour. Then there was “Violence Works” with a sentiment I agree with but my gut didn’t. I realize there’s this re-invigorated movement of 90’s music but this song (unfortunately) gave me Nu-Metal “vibes” to the point that I could imagine the crowd doing the cheesy “jump jump jump” during the intro. This had me think of Holt’s look during that time (see their Dynamo performance from ‘97). This song along with “Summon Of The God Unknown God” (at 8 minutes long) and the title track that features violinist Katie Jacoby, really slow down the pace of the album while “Beyond The Event Horizon”, one of my favorite tracks that comes off at times like PANTERA’s “Suicide Note pt. 2”, bring up the attitude where it should be, especially with the closer ‘The Dirtiest Of The Dozen’

It’s necessary to highlight the nice production on ‘Goliath’ showcasing the always present low-end from bassist Jack Gibson, drummer Tom Hunting’s always impressive and on-point drumming that comes through with so much clarity, the dual guitar shreds from Gary Holt and Lee Altus, and rounded out by the returning Rob Dukes F-U attitude making ‘Goliath’ a decent release that shows promise should Rob sticks around. With a couple of filler songs, ‘Goliath’ balances out as an album that caters to some old-school fans who appreciate the murder-in-the-front-row attitude that has lasted 40 years later, to the new-school fan who may not have a clue how far EXODUS have come and what they’ve brought to the roundtable discussion I’d like to call “The Big Four +1”. While there will never be another Paul Baloff or “Bonded By Blood”, and while the modern era of Thrash has shown a bit of promise, us lifers know our high-demand is a necessity to continually emphasize the importance of not only Thrash Metals past but Metal’s past a whole.

3.0 Out Of 5.0