Album Review: Exodus-Goliath
Words by Anselm Anderson
Rob Dukes returns for this twelfth outing for Exodus. The shaven headed vocalist returns following a ten year hiatus from the band. 'Goliath marks his first appearance since 2010's Exhibit B:The Human Condition. Dukes returned to the fold last year, following the departure of vocalist Steve Souza, and this release also marks the first on Napalm Records for the band.
Produced by Exodus, and mixed and mastered by Mark Lewis, known for his work with Whitechapel, Nile and Undeath, this ten track release feels like a return to form for the Bay Area Thrashers. The music is intense and authentic, with each riff cutting though precision like a butcher's knife. Dukes sounds like an insane man, whose making up for lost time. The album features guest appearances by Peter Tägtgren (Hypocrisy, Pain) and violinist Katie Jacoby.
| Photo Credit: Jim Lovau The album begins with the dissonant chords on "3111", a track that sets the tone with the chaotic and fiery intensity for the rest of the record. The album has the vibe of something Lamb of God would produce, with Dukes fiercely tackling politics, social issues and mental health. Dukes is complemented by a strong supporting cast with rummer Tom Hunting hitting the bass drums with ferocity. Guitarists Lee Altus and Gary Holt are at the top of their game, delivering groove-oriented riffs and blistering solos reminiscent of their classic work. Each track packs raw emotion and searing anger. The intros are long and meaningful, while Dukes blends punk attitude with thrash metal that sends goosebumps down your arms. Tracks like "Hostis Humani Generis," "Violence Works," and "2 Minutes Hate" bring the volatility and fast-paced riffage fans have come to expect from the band. The anthemic "The Changing Me" features the haunting screams of Peter Tägtgren, and "Promise You This guaranteed to spark wild mosh pit chaos. Other highlights include the doom -laden "Goliath", featuring violinist Katy Jacoby, and the full-throttle "Beyond the Horizon", which is bound to be a fave on their upcoming European tour. "Goliath" is ten tracks of blood pumping, smash face metal with plenty of razor sharp riffs to get those necks sore. The vocals have a nostalgic feel, backed by powerful production. There’s no shortage of anthemic tracks, and it’s clear the band has drawn heavy influence from Slayer and Megadeth. This release feels like a bold statement ahead of their upcoming tour, and they’ve absolutely delivered. Goliath is a monstrous offering, standing alongside tour mates Kreator’s Krushers of the World as an early contender for album of the year. For further reading , please click on the link below to read the review for "Krushers of the World" by Kreator. The bands are set to embark on the Krushers of the World UK/European tour this week. You can find the dates listed below. EU/UK Tour w/ Kreator, Carcass, Nails 24.03.26 FR - Paris / Zenith Paris 25.03.26 BE - Brussels / Ancienne Belgique 27.03.26 UK - London / O2 Academy Brixton 28.03.26 UK - Manchester / O2 Apollo Manchester 29.03.26 UK - Glasgow / O2 Academy Glasgow 31.03.26 LU - Esch-sur-Alzette / Rockhal 01.04.26 CH - Zurich / Halle 622 03.04.26 NL - ’s-Hertogenbosch (Den Bosch) / Brabanthallen 04.04.26 DE - Essen / Grugahalle 05.04.26 DE - Frankfurt / Jahrhunderthalle 07.04.26 IT - Milan / Alcatraz 08.04.26 SI - Ljubljana / Media Center 09.04.26 AT - Vienna / Gasometer 10.04.26 DE - Ludwigsburg / MHP Arena 11.04.26 DE - Munich / Zenith 12.04.26 CZ - Prague / Forum Karlín 13.04.26 HU - Budapest / Barba Negra 15.04.26 PL - Warsaw / COS Torwar 17.04.26 DE - Hamburg / Inselparkhalle 18.04.26 DE - Berlin / Uber Eats Music Hall 20.04.26 LV - Riga / Palladium 21.04.26 FI - Helsinki / Black Box Finland OY 23.04.26 SE - Stockholm / Annexet 24.04.26 NO - Oslo / Sentrum Scene 25.04.26 DK - Copenhagen / Poolen Social Media Links EXODUS online:X TIKTOK WEBSITE |
Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following https://follow.it/anselm-s-rambling-man-s-reviews?pub
Copyright: Anselm Anderson ©
Comments
Post a Comment