(Nuclear Blast) Total Time: 53:10
The most anticipated, for me, release of 2005 is at last in my hands. Most anticipated because for one EXODUS is one of my favourite bands ever and everybody knows that (alert: if not you are in a wrong webpage) and their diachronic contribution in metal, and additionally because the departure of 3 classic line-up members (Rick Hunolt, Tom Hunting and Steve Souza) really spread a confusion to the fanbase of the band generating concerns about the future plans of EXODUS. So after several spins of "Shovel Headed Kill Machine", the first six in less than a day, these are my conclusions:
1) The new members: OK the skills of Paul Bostaph are already proven. I have nothing more to say, his long time collaboration with SLAYER is proof enough. Of course the bigest thing is the new vocalist Rob Dukes. Don't worry, the guy is fabulous. I think their choise is very successful, he really has this thrashy feeling that fits in EXODUS' music. And yes he sounds like Souza, it's the first thing that you notice as you listen to the album more and more you can see that he only uses "Zetro" just as an influence, he does not imitate him, as often he sounds pissed-off and full of hatred in an own personal way.
2) The classic elements: Gary Holt, as most of you know the main composer of EXODUS, is one of the few that can still do what made thrash a so loved metal genre amongst so many others. He is the thrash riff-man himself. As in all the previous albums that brought EXODUS back (such as "Tempo Of The Damned") likewise "Shovel Headed Kill Machine" is full of MEGA guitars and anger. Their ability to built one riff under the other is one of most unique characteristics of the band, and this ability is present in full throttle in the new album. Which band has the guts to write seven and eight minutes songs (from "Fabulous Disaster" and afterwards they always include such compositions) and sound so brutal and powerful from the beginning 'til the end? Such examples are "Deathamphetamine"- the band's rifforama in full orgy- "44 Magnum Opus" - excellent speedy thrash - and "Altered Boy". The mind tempo "Shudder to think" is superb!! , the classic EXODUS rhythms , the wellknown something between speed and mid tempo , "Raze" , "Karma's Messenger" , "I am Abomination" , "Going Going Gone" , "Now The Death Day Come" and the tribute to the crossover scene with the selftitled song made the album occupy in my stereo for days. Everything in this album sounds awesome and with an "in-your-face" attitude again, something that can be attributed to the magic touch of producer Andy Sneap once again, how could it be otherwise?
Concluding, don't expect me to make comparisons like for example "Shovel Headed Kill Machine" is the new "Pleasures Of The Flesh" or "Fabulous Disaster"("Bonded By Blood" is still untouchable even for themselves) and such nonesense. As a huge fan of the band I don't find any meaning to this. Their '80's stuff have their unique history, there is no room for conversation regarding this. For a year and a half now they decided to continue writing history in the 00's as well. So the only comparison that I accept to do is with their recent past. "Shovel Headed Kill Machine" is condemned to be the follow up to the masterpiece "Tempo of the Damned", an album that signified the return of these masterthrashers with four members of their classic line up. I think that this is the only reason that anyone can find that their latest opus lacking in comparison to their previous. But EXODUS shows us that despite all the difficulties and the obstacles that had to overcome they still are one of the best Thrash Metal bands ever.
