EXODUS — Tempo of the Damned (review)

EXODUS — Tempo of the Damned album cover

Album · 2004 · Thrash Metal

4.5/5 · 2022-12-28
UMUR

"Tempo of the Damned" is the 6th full-length studio album by US, California based thrash metal act Exodus. The album was released through Nuclear Blast Records in February 2004. It´s the successor to "Force of Habit" from 1992 and quite a few things have happened in the 12 years between the two releases. Exodus disbanded in 1994 but reunited shortly in 1997 with original lead vocalist Paul Baloff to play some shows, which produced the "Another Lesson in Violence" live album in 1997, but they folded again in 1998. The untimely death of Baloff in 2002 paved the way for a reunion with lead vocalist Steve "Zetro" Souza. There have been a couple of other lineup changes since the predecessor as drummer John Tempesta has been replaced by returning original drummer Tom Hunting and bassist Mike Butler has been replaced by Jack Gibson. Gary Holt and Rick Hunolt as always handle the guitars.

One of the first things you notice when listening to "Tempo of the Damned" is how sharp and powerful sounding the production is. This is an Andy Sneap production which suits the material perfectly. Exodus had a couple of releases in the past which featured sub par production jobs, but that´s certainly not the case with "Tempo of the Damned", which ranks among their best produced albums. The sound production provides the already powerful tracks with an extra boost and makes them even more powerful sounding than they already are.

So the sound production gives the band the best possible conditions to shine, and shine they do. "Tempo of the Damned" not only features high level musicianship on all posts but there are many well written, catchy, and raw thrash metal songs featured on the album. "Scar Spangled Banner" is a perfect way to open an album, and it´s Exodus at full force with a raw screaming Souza in front. It´s almost impossible to think of a better way to make your return to the scene. The following trio of tracks "War Is My Shepherd", "Blacklist", and "Shroud of Urine" continue the strong opening of the album. The album then continues with more great tracks like "Culling the Herd" and "Sealed With a Fist", and even the AC/DC cover "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap" is delivered in great style. The groove laden Pantera influenced "Throwing Down" is quite different from anything I´ve hear from Exodus before and wasn´t initially a favorite, but it´s grown on me since. It may not be the most remarkable track on the album, but it´s still a good quality track.

The basic vers/chorus structure of the tracks are a minor issue to my ears, as it does become a little structurally formulaic and just slightly more creative song structures could have made the overall listening experience a little more rewarding. On the other hand there is also come comfort in vers/chorus structures, and when the material are as well written and powerful as it is on this release, my minor issue with the formulaic song structures becomes less important. "Tempo of the Damned" is through and through a high quality release and a 4 - 4.5 star (85%) rating is deserved.