This was the album that should have gotten Exodus as big as Metallica. Their motto was '4 Albums and Still No Ballad'. Exodus never have,never will wimp out, they are thrash metal. They play what they do best.

You get cool riffing by Gary Holt and Rick Hunolt, with supercool solos still. Sharp, heavy production. Zetro's vocals are as forceful as ever. It's taken me years to accept he is a great singer, and not a bad choice for Exodus, but real Exodus fans know Paul Baloff could never truly be "replaced".

The lyrics range from deadly serious to silly. Lots of good lines like: 'American digrace, Patriot gone to waste, greed was his demise when he took the fall. Betrayed the fatherland, The flag and all for which it stands, Traitor to the cause, A.W.O.L!'

If Exodus had made a video for "Only Death Decides", they would have been the hottest metal band for awhile! This is one of the most fuckin cool songs I ever heard in my life! Definitely a metal anthem up there with Motorhead's "Killed By Death" and Judas Priest's "Grinder".

A pretty worthwhile purchase if you like old school thrash/metal.

Trax are- intro/Impact is Imminent/ A.W.O.L./ The Lunatic Parade/ Within the Walls of Chaos/ Objection Overruled/ Only Death Decides/ Heads They Win (Tails You Lose)/ Changing of the Guard/ Thrash Under Pressure.

© 1999 mlotek