EXODUS — Blood In, Blood Out (review)

EXODUS — Blood In, Blood Out album cover Album · 2014 · Thrash Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
UMUR
"Blood In, Blood Out" is the 11th full-length studio album by US thrash metal act Exodus. The album was released through Nuclear Blast Records in October 2014. There´s been quite a significant lineup change since the release of "Exhibit B: the Human Condition (2010)" as lead vocalist Rob Dukes, who joined Exodus in 2005 after Steve "Zetro" Souza left the band for the second time, has been replaced by his predecessor, who joins Exodus for the third time (if you count the 2002 reunion).

The addition of Steve "Zetro" Souza to the ranks, results in "Blood In, Blood Out" practically sounding like the natural successor to "Tempo of the Damned (2004)", as if the intermediate Rob Dukes fronted releases never existed. This is simply the sound of "classic" era Exodus, which is probably a great joy to those fans who never warmed up to Rob Dukes "core" tinged delivery. Not surprisingly the band are very well playing and "Zetro" is in fine vocal form, delivering his characteristic snarling attack with the right "fuck you" attitude.

The material on the 11 track, 62:17 minutes long album features few surprises, so if you are familiar with past "Zetro" fronted Exodus releases, you pretty much know what to expect (albeit I feel this one is slightly more aggressive and raw than past endeavers). Mid- to faster paced driving beats, fast aggressive thrashy riffing, and occasional heavier groove based sections, blistering guitar solos, and the above mentioned snarling vocals on top (and the occasional riot gang backing vocals). The quality of the tracks is high throughout, and while 60 minutes of playing time might be just a couple of tracks too long, when the variation between the tracks isn´t greater, all tracks still come off as catchy and memorable (so it´s not a major issue, but just a general observation that music of this type usually works better within a 40 minutes long format). Some of the highlights are tracks like "Collateral Damage", the title track, and the furiously fast paced "Food for the Worms", but as mentioned I could literally have picked any track off the album and taken one by one they would have applied as highlights.

Andy Sneap is credited as producer on "Blood In, Blood Out", as he has been on most post reunion albums by Exodus, and he has created a huge, powerful, and metallic sound, which suits the material well. It´s a clear and detailed sound production, but still raw enough to not sound polished. So all things considered "Blood In, Blood Out" is a high quality release by Exodus and a welcome return to the fold for Steve "Zetro" Souza, whose voice and delivery to my ears fit Exodus sound like a glove. A 4 star (80%) rating is deserved.
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Kingcrimsonprog wrote:
more than 2 years ago
I never heard much core in Dukes to be honest.

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