Souza's out and Dukes is back in, a step in the right direction.

Dukes is a bit of a twat, but he's a better fit for them , Zetro's performance in the last one was pretty meh. 
Exhibit A&B are absolutely savage records.

SHKM (stupid fucking title) is a solid banger too, in my opinion.

What's the bets that they can't afford big Chief Chuck Billy for management anymore and as soon as he's out the door, Zetro followed.

Thought the Dukes albums were much better than the last few with Zetro, so should be interesting to see how this goes.

They were both much better than Baloff though, but at least there's no chance of him rejoining anytime soon

Quote from: Trev on January 15, 2025, 07:15:56 PMThought the Dukes albums were much better than the last few with Zetro, so should be interesting to see how this goes.

They were both much better than Baloff though, but at least there's no chance of him rejoining anytime soon

I put Baloff right at the top of "shit vocalists that ruined a banging record" along with Sean Killian. Mustaine may as well be King Diamond compared to those two twats.

Never really listened to the Dukes' era stuff, but dig Zetro on Tempo.

Quote from: jobrok1 on January 15, 2025, 06:50:21 PMSHKM (stupid fucking title) is a solid banger too, in my opinion.

It's not too bad, production does have that mid 2000s blandness. Sneap taking over the desk (although he did mix SHKM),did wonders for them on the next two. Plus Hunting was back on drums.
 

Quote from: Ducky on January 15, 2025, 07:29:01 PM
Quote from: Trev on January 15, 2025, 07:15:56 PMThought the Dukes albums were much better than the last few with Zetro, so should be interesting to see how this goes.

They were both much better than Baloff though, but at least there's no chance of him rejoining anytime soon

I put Baloff right at the top of "shit vocalists that ruined a banging record" along with Sean Killian. Mustaine may as well be King Diamond compared to those two twats.

Never really listened to the Dukes' era stuff, but dig Zetro on Tempo.

Give Let There Be Blood a listen, Dukes singing the Bonded By Blood tracks. Top notch.

The remake album is pretty much forgetful and a cash grab as they got fucked on the original contract.
It's the unhinged "off his tits on biker meth and cheap booze (like most of the SF thrash crowd)", that makes the original work.


The original Bonded by Blood is probably the only essential Exodus imo, great tracks scattered around their body of work but I don't think they ever did anything as great as that over a full length.

Bonded is the only one I have. Not arsed checking out any more as generally speaking thrash isn't my bag, but I have no complaints with Bonded. Vocals are cool.

Exodus are dogshit. I get Bonded's importance but they pedal the type of  whacky braindead thrash I generally despise. It's laughable any talk of them being in the same league as Metallica Megadeth Slayer etc etc. They couldn't keep it together for five minutes and Bonded aside they've delivered very little of worth. They were "ok" with Dukes, Tough Man metal. seen them live with him a couple of times and it bordered between a bit of craic and toe curling cringe.

They hated Souza, obviously Billy's idea and now they've gone back to the lad they fucked out over a decade ago. If only the Voodoo Lounge was still open...

Aside from Bonded By Blood they're a band that I couldn't get into.
Musically it's all there but Zetro sounds like a disgruntled chipmunk.

Persona Non Grata - as an album sounds epic but I don't think they ever achieved the sound live.

Seen them with Dukes on the Exhibit A tour here in Dublin, awesome gig, stage diving was manic that night! Historic!

Having seen them twice with Souza, yeah good but its like they just never connect live. Dukes isn't there for the money or because he was in a band during the 80s (ego) I thought he was really into it and loved the music. His madness was infectious!

Bonded is a classic.  Essential thrash album for me. The rest is very hit or miss but...   

Strangely one I really liked at the time was Tempo of the Damned. Must stick it on today to see how well it has aged as if has been a long time since I listened to it.