For anybody who has been even slightly wary of Exodus' recent return to form, expecting that the resurgence couldn't be maintained, can I just point out that with "Atrocity Exhibition, Exhibit A", the current line up have now, pound for pound, out-punched Exodus BG (before Gibson ). 

You see  with this third album from the 'new' band, we are in receipt of another consistently great collection of classic tinged thrash. “Atrocity Exhibition” shows the way to the current crop of young pretenders on how to perfectly execute this type of music and continues to update the genre blueprint that the original line-up were instrumental in creating back in the day. 

Bolstered by the return of Tom Hunting on the drum stool (check out his opening fills and double bass drum work in “Children Of A Worthless God” totally awesome) and although Paul Bostaph did a fantastic job on "Shovel Headed Kill Machine" it's good to have Hunting back and, added to the fact that Rob Dukes seems to be growing more and more as a vocalist, this means there simply seems to be no stopping Exodus at the moment. Gary Holt also seems to be expanding his songwriting horizons, five of the nine tracks weigh in at over 7 minutes and the title track itself stretches out to ten and a half and it's testament to the songs themselves that these epics don’t feel overlong. 

On "'Atrocity Exhibition, Exhibit A" (apparently the first part of a two disc set with sister album “Exhibit B” due early next year) the lyrical themes draw on the same touchstones that have endured over the years (apocalyptic visions, mistrust of the church, violence etc.) married to some brutal riffing. Only opener “Call to Arms” varies this by being a melodic power metal instrumental that wouldn’t seem out of place on an Iron Maiden album. 

Power is the order of the day throughout this album and after the relative diversion of the opener we launch straight into “Riot Act” with its up-tempo drums and lyrical venom and positively psycho guitar solos that sets the tone for the rest of the album nicely, next up is the first of the longer tracks and “Funeral Hymn” demonstrates that, as a band, Exodus can maintain your interest through multiple time changes and bodes for some marathon moshing when the band play this material live. 

All this bodes well for Exodus both now and in the future, posts from Gary Holt promise that “Exhibit B” will be just as strong a set of songs as “Exhibit A” and when you consider that that classic Exodus delivered us the woeful “Impact Is Imminent” as their fourth outing the current band could be well be streets ahead in terms of quality of output when that album lands. In the meantime enjoy the treats in store here.

Let us know your views on Atrocity Exhibition: Exhibit A

 Track Listing

Call To Arms
Riot Act
Funeral Hymn
Children Of A Worthless God
As It Was As It Soon Shall Be
Atrocity Exhibition
Iconoclasm
Garden Of Bleeding
Bedlam 123

Line Up

Gary Holt - Guitars
Lee Altus - Guitars
Jack Gibson - Bass
Tom Hunting - Drums
Rob Dukes - Vocals