Exodus – Blood In, Blood Out
Release Date: October 14, 2014
Label: Nuclear Blast
2014 was the year that brought about reunion of something I never thought I’d see: Exodus reuniting with former lead singer Steve “Zetro” Souza. Now I’ll be honest, when I first heard this news I really didn’t know what to think. As a long time Exodus fan, I had found some comfort and peace in having Rob Dukes at mic. Dukes did a great job both live and in the studio and, as a matter of fact, Exhibit B was one of my favorite fucking albums to come out that year. I don’t know the back end dealings or the logistics of what brought about this reunion but all I can say is the minute “Black 13”, the first song from the band’s latest album Blood In, Blood Out filled the room it all just felt right. Right away I felt this smile take over my and as the title track of the album kicked in, it just kind of felt like going home again. “Blood In, Blood Out” serves as Exodus’ homage to the long time fans who are stuck by the band through thick and thin. It kinda reminded me of their own Grateful Dead anthem ala “Touch of Grey” only instead of peace and love it was kicking ass and busting faces. What else would you expect from Exodus.
Blood In, Blood Out is sonically amazing and continues on in the damn near perfect production quality that Exodus has offered for years. The songs cover all the bases from the moshpit speed metal stylings of “Collateral Damage” and “Food For The Worms” to the more subtle groove based “My Last Nerve.” “Body Harvest” without a doubt stood tall among the pack as the highlight of this already stellar album but in all honesty, song for song, I was hard pressed to find a song that I didn’t love. “Wrapped in the Arms of Rage” is a sonic melodic thrash shredders dream with guitarist Lee Altus and Gary Holt shredding over and under each other while Zetro unleashes the demons from within using that voice that just seems to have gotten more intense and more over the top than ever. Let’s also not forget the monstrous drumming of Tom Hunting. There is a reason that man is considered one of the best drummers out there and he really steps up to the plate on this album and shines.
Blood In, Blood Out is a non stop melodic metal juggernaut that just crushes anything Exodus has done since Fabulous Disaster. Yeah, yeah, I know it’s my opinion but it’s my fucking blog. The album possesses enough old school quality to appeal to even the more classic thrash fans while also having a bit of a modern touch to it. Blood In, Blood Out is a reminder of just how timeless and influential a band Exodus is while still a very relevant and important band in modern metal times. Blood In Blood Out is not only one of the best Exodus albums in 20+ years but it’s shit like this that should have Exodus riding high in the upper ranks of thrash metal royalty. Blood In, Blood Out is so full of energy, life, and pure unbridled passion for the art of metal. With an album like this, Exodus is just proving to the masses that their best years are still ahead of them. One can only hope that egos can stay contained for the sake of making timeless classic thrash metal such as this. Welcome back Zetro! You did good brother. Real good.
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