siLLy puPPy
EXODUS has become one of the bigger thrash metal bands in the world and one of the original Bay Area thrash outfits with the likes of Metallica, Testament and early death thrash like Possessed. This debut EP is perhaps most famous for being the release with Kirk Hammett handling guitar duties before his own EXODUS to join Metallica in 1983. Although there only three tracks here that just fall short of the eleven minute mark, one thing is clear. The band had already found their own sound. I have always found EXODUS dangerously close to falling into the generic thrash camp at times, but when one listens to the early recordings I find that they began with their their unique stamp on the musical world whether it be their unique galloping phrasings, roaring solos or semi-goofy vocal jumps by Paul Baloff. I find this the music on this debut to be as good as that on their first full release “Bonded By Blood” however the production on this release has to be amongst the worst of any recording i've ever heard and although I am one of the most tolerant music lovers in terms of crappy production, in this case I have to admit that it really diminishes the listening experience. An interesting artifact from the past showing the band at an embryonic stage but despite Kirk Hammett being on board musically it sounds pretty much like their other releases with Baloff on vocals.