Exodus - Tempo of the Damned
 

Exodus
Tempo of the Damned

Scar Spangled Banner
War Is My Sheppard
Blacklist
Shroud of Urine
Forward March
Culling the Herd
Sealed with a Fist
Throwing Down
Impaler
Tempo of the Damned

It’s been said that Exodus invented the Bay Area thrash sound and would’ve had more success had they not followed a solid album with a lousy one (Bonded by Blood and Fabulous Disaster being the solid ones, Pleasures of the Flesh and Impact is Imminent being less-than-memorable). And their career was pretty much laid to waste when they released Force of Habit, an album that saw them, along with pretty much all the other thrash greats of that time, desperately trying to follow the path Metallica made with their black album. Good friendly violent fun was replaced by radio friendly fun.

Originally written with original vocalist Paul Baloff (who died before the album could be recorded) and completed with second vocalist Steve “Zetro” Souza, Tempo of the Damned is the result of a band taking stock of their strengths and focusing on them, discarding anything that might slow them down. “Scar Spangled Banner,” “War is My Sheppard,” and the title track could have been on Fabulous Disaster. And if Force of Habit had more tracks like “Blacklist” and “Culling the Herd,” it would’ve been a stronger album.

All in all, this is vintage Exodus, tracks alternating between lumbering, chugging, and frantic, with Rick Hunolt and Gary Holt, one of the best tag-team guitarists out there, fluidly switching back and forth with leads while drummer Tom Hunting builds a solid wall of double bass and Jack Gibson (the only new member) gives the songs a foundation. And the only change in Zetro’s growling, sneering vocals since the band’s heyday is that his range has improved, allowing moments of both death styling and – gasp – melody (Exodus style, of course; check out “Throwing Down” for an example).

And you can’t get any more vintage than “Impaler,” a track from the Bonded by Blood era that was never captured in the studio. While close to twenty years old, there’s not much of a difference in style from that to the other tracks. And that’s in no means a bad thing. If anything, it shows that the spark and drive that started the band is still there.

All in all, Tempo of the Damned is the work of a band back on top of their creative game, doing what they do best – thrashing. I look forward to a new generation learning the Toxic Waltz.




And if you want a good history of Exodus, including a review of some of the tracks off this album, check out http://www.hellridemusic.com/forum/v...hlight=exodus.

I'll take it a step farther and say that this is the best album the band ever made. It has all the 80s ingredients that somehow sound fresher today. I also give them credit for the title track, which seems to me is pretty liberal, hardly flag-waving. While I don't necessarily agree, that's a pretty gutsy move because most of their fan base probably feels differently.

I would agree, except the songs just go on too damned long. I think there should be a 5-minute limit on thrash songs.

How about the lyrics on "Sealed With a Fist"?
"Sixteen rounds in case she missed..." - brilliant...

I could agree... if it wasn´t for Fabulous disaster...

I´m gonna stick my dick out in the freezing wind of this forum and declare it one of the albums (not THE) of 2004 already!!!

I agree with you, Doug. If they were shorter they'd be perfect.

Thanks for the link to my review.


This album, I can't get over it. Why can't all bands play thrash this good?

So the more i listen to this and think about it, I've come up with an interesting question. Would it have been this good with Baloff singing?

Praise Jesus I am up-fucking-wind!

La Tray, just die while doin the toxic waltz..... and then rise and feast upon the wast energy on was once was the mighty mullet of Bubba!

That mullet crawled into the Clark Fork River, where it is now killing fish. . . .

Just end it it before it get´s outta proportion.... :D

This disc slays. Best thrash release in a long time in my opinion. I've only listened to it a couple of times, but a very pleased as it is better than anticipated and lives up to the all the hype. Kirk Hammett and Dave Mustaine should be forced to sit down and listen to this cd. Fast unrelenting thrash with solos up the ass. I don't know if I can ever like another Exodus disc better than Bonded by Blood, which holds a special place for me, but I think it is probably the best cd with Souza singing. Production is great. Tom Hunting turns in a great performance on drums. Definitely at least a 9 out of 10.

EXODUS Announce Record-Release Party - Jan. 23, 2004

Reunited San Francisco Bay Area thrashers EXODUS have announced a record-release party on Thursday, March 11 at DNA Lounge in San Francisco. Tickets are priced at $8.00 in advance, $12.00 at the door. Doors open at 8:00 p.m.

EXODUS' first studio album since 1992's "Force of Habit", "Tempo of the Damned" is due out in Europe on February 2 (the two-year anniversary of late EXODUS frontman Paul Baloff's passing) and in the U.S. on March 9 through Nuclear Blast Records.

"Tempo Of The Damned" was recorded at Prairie Sun and Tsunami studios in Northern California with producer Andy Sneap (MACHINE HEAD, SKINLAB, ARCH ENEMY), who previously worked with the band on their acclaimed 1997 live album "Another Lesson In Violence".

EXODUS filmed video clips for "War Is My Shepherd" and "Throwing Down" in late November with director Maurice Swinkels. The latter cut is a reworked version of a song originally written for and demoed by WARDANCE, the ill-fated mid-'90s act formed by EXODUS members Gary Holt (guitar) and Tom Hunting (drums). Both clips are expected to begin airing very soon.

New Exodus video for "War Is My Sheppard" here http://www.nuclearblast.de/media/video/NB_1218.ram

Re: Exodus - Tempo of the Damned
 

Couldn't agree more! Got that album 10 days ago, and I've been listening to it over and over again. Maybe it's too early to compare it with Fabulous Disaster but i think it's in the same league with it or even with Bonded By Blood. Excellent lyrics in Scar Spangled Banner, it takes big balls to understand and critisize the wrongdoings of your own government(s) and do so publicly, when knowing it may have a negative effect in the album sales.

I got this from Winoguy who needs to be Knighted for such efforts in my book.

Great album, prolly the best U.S. thrash release since Testament's "The Gathering".