Artist: Exodus
Label: Nuclear Blast
Release Date: 3/23/04
|
|
Title: Tempo of the Damned Artist: Exodus Label: Nuclear Blast Release Date: 3/23/04 |
Judgment Committee Reviews | Rating |
|
2 | ||
|
5 | ||
|
4 | ||
|
|
Go to Reader Reviews | ||
Abyss's Review:
Exodus was actually the first metal band I ever saw live. They were opening for Anthrax in 1987 and I remember thinking that they kicked the crap out of the band that followed them, which was Celtic Frost (if I'm remembering correctly). In the years since, I found myself liking Celtic Frost more and more, and found myself more and more unimpressed with Exodus. And while Bonded By Blood will always retain a place in my heart (and maybe even Pleasures of the Flesh to an extent), I wasn't really all that excited when Exodus returned from oblivion.
"One word review: Okay." Even back in the day I didn't listen to their records all that much, my enjoyment came from seeing them live (it seemed like they played every metal tour that came by!). I always kinda lumped them in with Anthrax when it came to presentation. They didn't take themselves all that seriously, and I lost my interest in them almost as quickly as I acquired it.
This will make no difference to the rabid Exodus fan, who is probably too busy soiling themselves in anticipation of this record, but it might to those who, like me, wonder if they can recapture any of their magic from the past. When it's all said and done, Tempo of the Damned is much more Fabulous Disaster than it is Bonded By Blood. Unlike recent output by Testament and Overkill, Exodus sound a bit dated in their presentation. Steve Souza's trademark screech remains as unique as ever, but the lyrics he spews forth I just can't take seriously and therefore can't enjoy. To understand what I mean, you need only look at some of the song titles like, "Scar Spangled Banner", "Shroud of Urine", and the title cut. Plus three of these songs are re-worked older material, which might turn off some long time fans.
End result is that this is middle tier stuff, but let's face it, these guys have always been middle tier. There is some seriously good guitar work on this album, but the little things keep me from enjoying it. One word review: Okay.
Death's Review:
I, for one, was stoked to learn that the Exodus Attack would be back to snap our necks once again with their unapologetic brand of 1980's style thrash. It was my pleasure to witness the band back in action with original frontman Paul Baloff at 2001's Thrash of the Titans benefit for Chuck Billy and Chuck Schuldiner, and everyone should recognize the magnitude of the loss incurred by Baloff's 2002 passing. But I am thankful that, in choosing to continue, the band elected to reunite with Steve "Zetro" Sousa (ex-Testament/Legacy, ex-Exodus). Sousa was always a decent thrash vocalist, but on Tempo of the Damned he really comes into his own, delivering some of the most inspired Bay Area thrash vocals the genre has ever seen.
"The songs are infectious, the lyrics are fun and the album just oozes metal." The big concern going into this new Exodus album was stylistic: would Exodus end up like so many of their contemporaries do in 2004, i.e., uninspired, out-of-touch has-beens? My answer here is an emphatic "NO!" Exodus has not tried to modernize its sound, save for the up-to-the-minute-quality Andy Sneap production (this is the first Exodus album recorded in the modern sound-engineering era, and it shows). There are no nu-metal leanings, and few concessions to the modern extreme underground (although Sousa does incorporate the occasional almost blackened scream into his arsenal). Rather, all the classic Exodus elements are there: killer, buzzsaw-crunchy riffs that are distilled to their essence in a way that is often quite simple, sometimes quite technical, and always make you want to bang your head incessantly. But the fun doesn't stop there. Tempo of the Damned features great drumming and cool, Bay Area thrash style leads too. Believe me, if you like this kind of music, this one's got the whole package.
Some folks of course are just haters. Some don't like the classic Bay Area thrash sound like I do, and for those of you, I'll admit that there are some shout-back "gang" choruses and some comedic "tough guy" lyrics that might be a bit much for you to take. I love it - every bit of it. What I like most about Tempo of the Damned is that it really is another Exodus record, fitting right in with their prior catalogue. Yet it avoids being pigeonholed as a mere nostalgic rehash and becomes something much closer to an essential metal record, simply because the songwriting and the playing are executed with 100% integrity, passion and skill. In fact, this record is pretty much spot on. The songs are infectious, the lyrics are fun and the album just oozes metal. In many ways, this is one of the best Exodus albums of the post-Bonded By Blood era. I like it better than everything else with the possible exception of Pleasures of the Flesh. It definitely is Sousa's best performance. The bottom line that makes this album so refreshing is that Exodus didn't need to shy away from their classic sound to remain relevant in the 21st century - writing a killer album takes care of all of those concerns every time.
Hel's Review:
Despite the fact that their last studio release, Force of Habit, came out over a decade ago, it would be a mistake to believe that Exodus went away entirely during that time. 1997’s live album Another Lesson in Violence is one piece of evidence that this band was never truly gone, their multiple live appearances, including their incredible set at 2001’s Thrash of the Titans is yet another. But what they have not done, obviously, is release a studio album. Until now.Initally intended for release on the 2nd anniversary of the death of original vocalist, Paul Baloff, Tempo of the Damned is nothing less than a return of classic Exodus. Steve Sousa, Baloff’s replacement so many years ago, has returned. And the new album, the wheels of which were already in motion prior to Baloff’s sudden death, is now a reality. Fans of old-school Bay Area thrash should rejoice, as this album is both a fitting tribute to Baloff and as the rejuvenation of a sound most have let fall by the wayside.
"Tempo of the Damned is nothing less than a return of classic Exodus." While not everyone will love this album, I do not believe that it is intended for mass consumption. Instead, it is meant for the fans that have stood by the band since the very beginning and are still at their side today. Some may call the sound dated, but these are not the people this album is for. It is for those who consider the sound classic, and who consider the band to be a classic as well.
I cannot help but feel a little nostalgia listening to this record, as there is no attempt whatsoever by the band to falsely update, instead, the music herein is timeless. Right down to the classic 80s thrash anthems, this album is exactly what Exodus has always been: riff-laden and uncompromising. Sure, the lyrics over-rhyme and are slightly corny, but that is, again, true to what the band has always been.
So should you buy it? Hell yeah! Just don’t hold false expectations of what you are getting. You’re getting a time capsule on a round plastic disc – one that will transport you back to a bygone era when you place it into your modern technological device to play it. If you didn’t like them back in the day, you won’t now. But if you did, you really need this record.
[- Metal Judgment Home -] [- Email Metal Judgment -]
©1999 Metal Judgment. All rights reserved.