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When I first heard that Exodus was in the process of writing and recording a new album I was more than a little excited. When a few clips were released on the net and I got a chance to listen to them that excitement just doubled and I got that warm fuzzy feeling with chills all at the same time. Finally March 23rd rolls around and I can finally get my grubby hands on a copy of this album and just to demonstrate how far above my expectations this album is I will share some examples…

It would be like saying…

Getting hit by a semi may hurt a little.

A class 5 tornado is just a little drizzle.

Adolf Hitler was slightly off center.

Metallica is a metal band.

Lars Ullrich doesn't wear makeup, a dress and secretly dreams of being ass-banged by the Oakland Raiders football team.

That last one may not be as far fetched as the rest since we all know he isn't too particular who ass-bangs him but I am sure you get the point I am trying to make.

So in a long and drawn out sort of way what I am trying to say is that THIS ALBUM SIMPLY FUCKING RULES! You throw this album into your CD player and you are instantly transported back to the late 80's when thrash metal and the Bay Area ruled the metal world. Everything about this album just screams mosh pit inducing, fist in the air, teeth clenched friendly violent fun. These are the kinds of images you are supposed to get when you are speaking of thrash metal and from the beginning of this album to the very last second these images were running through my head and with as loud as I was listening to this album I am sure my neighbors felt exactly the same way (I am simply going to assume the angry mob was simply wanting to ask me where they could get their own copy).

One of the most important parts of good thrash metal is the killer riff that gets your head banging whether you want it to or not and this album has that component to the point of being insane. The songs are all easily memorable and actually even have some great sing along type choruses which adds even more enjoyment while you are getting your head split open while moshing. Normally I could give two strokes and a shit about lyrics and although these wouldn't necessarily be considered poetic they are damn good and the extreme anger in which they are delivered really adds to the anger of the lyrics themselves. One of the biggest highlights of this album for me however (I am a drummer myself so…) was the absolutely insane drum work of Tom Hunting. This isn't simply well executed this is right up there with Dave Lombardo quality work which is extremely high praise for me to hand out since I consider Lombardo a drum god. Also worthy of note is the killer production provided by Andy Sneap. Every instrument is easily distinguished and the sound of the drums is absolutely perfect (Mr. Rock and Mr. Ullrich may want to take some notes).

This album is not only one of the best thrash albums I have heard in quite some time but for me this could easily make my top ten lists of best thrash albums of all time. I may be going a little far in that remark since I have yet to see how this album will age with me but I think a year from now I will still consider this album a thrash metal masterpiece.