ITP V.021 REVIEW: EXODUS: "PERSONA NON GRATA"

 

 BAND:EXODUS (SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A.)

GENRE:THRASH METAL

LABEL: :NUCLEAR BLAST RECORDS

RELEASE DATE: 11/19/2021

TITLE: PERSONA NON GRATA

PREVIOUS RELEASES (CATALOG) :

"GATHERED AT THE ALTAR OF BLAST", SPLIT WITH IMMOLATION, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY, POSSESSED, MUNICIPAL WASTE, KATAKYLSM) , 3/18/2018 via NUCLEAR BLAST RECORDS. 

"MR. PICKLES THRASHTACULAR" (SPLIT WITH MUNICIPAL WASTE), 2/9/2018 via NUCLEAR BLAST RECORDS.

"ORIGINAL ALBUM COLLECTION" (BOXED SET), 9/2/2016 via CENTURY MEDIA RECORDS. 

"ELDER GODS" (SPLIT WITH SEPULTURA), 2/24/2015 via YGGDRASIL PRODUCTIONS.

"BLOOD IN, BLOOD OUT", 10/10/2014 via NUCLEAR BLAST RECORDS. 

"LABEL SHOWCASE-NUCLEAR BLAST RECORDS, 1/17/2012 via NUCLEAR BLAST RECORDS. 

"SPLIT WITH BOB WAYNE", 3/8/2011 via NUCLEAR BLAST RECORDS. 

"EXHIBIT B: THE HUMAN CONDITION", 5/7/2010 via NUCLEAR BLAST RECORDS. 

"SHOVEL HEADED TOUR MACHINE: LIVE AT WACKEN AND OTHER ASSORTED ATROCITIES", 1/15/2010 (2 DVD and CD), via NUCLEAR BLAST. 

"LET THERE BE BLOOD", 10/28/2008 via ZAENTZ RECORDS. . 

"BEST OF NUCLEAR BLAST", 7/8/2008 via NUCLEAR BLAST. 

"DOUBLE LIVE DYNAMO!", 11/3/2007 via ZAENTZ RECORDS. . 

"THE ATROCITY EXHIBITION:  EXHIBIT A", 10/28/2007 via NUCLEAR BLAST RECORDS.

"EXODUS/SOILWORK (SPLIT), 2007 via NUCLEAR BLAST RECORDS.

"SHOVEL HEADED KILL MACHINE", 10/4/2005 via NUCLEAR BLAST RECORDS.

"LIVE AT THE DNA ("TEMPO OF THE DAMNED  RELEASE PARTY-2DVD), 3/17/2005.

""LIVE AT THE DNA 2004", 1/1/2005 via NUCLEAR BLAST RECORDS. 

"SHOVEL HEADED KILLING MACHINE/"VIRUS" (SPLIT WITH HYPOCRISY), 2005 via .NUCLEAR BLAST RECORDS. 

"TEMPO OF THE DAMNED", 2/2/2004 via NUCLEAR BLAST RECORDS. .

"THE ART OF DYING", "TEMPO OF THE DAMNED" (SPLIT WITH DESTRUCTION, DEATH ANGEL AND DEW SCENTED), 2004 via  NUCLEAR BLAST RECORDS. 

"VICTIMS OF DEATH: THE BEST OF DECADE OF CHAOS" (SPLIT WITH DARK ANGEL, DEATH, FORBIDDEN, POSSESSED), 1999 via CENTURY MEDIA RECORDS.

"ANOTHER LESSON IN VIOLENCE" (LIVE ALBUM), 7/8/1997 via CENTURY MEDIA RECORDS. 

"ANOTHER LESSON IN VIOLENCE"/"BOUND, GAGGED AND BLINDFOLDED" (SPLIT WITH SKINLAB), 1997 via CENTURY MEDIA RECORDS. 

"FORCE OF HABIT", 8/17/1992 via CAPITOL RECORDS.

"LESSONS IN VIOLENCE" (COMPILATION), 6/9/1992 via RELATIVITY RECORDS.

"GOOD FRIENDLY VIOLENT FUN" (LIVE ALBUM), 10/1/1991 via RELATIVITY RECORDS. 

"A LESSON IN VIOLENCE" (COMPILATION), 1991 COMBAT RECORDS.

"IMPACT IS IMMINENT", 6/21/1990 via CAPITOL RECORDS. 

"FABULOUS DISASTER", 1/20/1989 via MUSIC FOR NATIONS. 

"MTV HEADBANGERS BALL (SPLIT WITH HELLOWEEN, ANTHRAX), 1989 ISLAND RECORDS.

" PLEASURES OF THE FLESH", 10/7/1987 via COMBAT RECORDS. 

"BONED BY BLOOD", 4/25/1985 via TORRID RECORDS.

"COMBAT TOUR LIVE: THE ULTIMATE REVENGE" (SPLIT VIDEO WITH SLAYER and VENOM)

DEMO: "A LESSON IN VIOLENCE" (1984)

 

BEST RELEASE (S): "BONDED BY BLOOD (1985), "TEMPO OF THE DAMNED" (2004), "PERSONA NON GRATA" (2021), "BLOOD IN, BLOOD OUT" (2014),  "IMPACT IS IMMINENT" (1990)

 

 

 

 

 EXODUS: "PERSONA NON GRATA"  TRACK-LISTING: 

1. "PERSONA NON GRATA"

2. "R.E.M.F"

3. "SLIPPING INTO MADNESS"

4. "ELITIST"

5. "PRESCRIBING HORROR"

6. "THE BEATINGS WILL CONTINUE (UNTIL MORALE IMPROVES)"

7. "THE YEARS OF DEATH AND DYING"

8. "CLICKBAIT"

9. "COSA DEL PANTANO"

10. "LUNATIC-LIAR-LORD" 

11. "THE FIRES OF DIVISION" 

12 "ANTISEED" 

 

 

 

 

 

ITP RATING: **** (4 out of 5 stars)
PRODUCTION:****
SONGWRITING: ****
PERFORMANCE: ****1/2

San Francisco, California, U.S.A. based thrash metal warriors were born out the 80's west coast thrash scene. With robust shows, crazy mosh and circle pits and relentless touring, EXODUS made a name for themselves in extreme metal. 

From former EXODUS and now METALLICA lead guitarist KIRK HAMMETT,  late vocalist PAUL BALOFF, to guitarist GARY HOLT'S stint with SLAYER, EXODUS has proven both versatility and longevity. 

Here ITP V.021 has legendary thrash metal warriors EXODUS new release "PERSONA NON GRATA".

EXODUS  "PERSONA NON GRATA" kicks off with the title track, a technical, banger of epic riff o rama, with solid musicianship and an intense vibe.  

.EXODUS "R.E.M.F" features a trash and roll attack with searing solos as vocalist STEVE SOUZA spits out some insane screams. 

 EXODUS  "SLIPPING INTO MADNESS" features some quality, rolling riffs segued into gang back up vocals for the chorus. A cool thrash track with some good solos.. 

EXODUS "ELITIST" lyrically attacks top dollar, wanna be A listers in all of their snobbery. Musically "ELITIST" features some melodic guitar riffs segued from the chugging riffs. 

EXODUS "PRESCRIBING HORROR" is a mid tempo and well written track about cancer treating, pregnancy drug Thalidomide as it resulted in many women having miscarriages and deformed births.. Agree with STEVE SOUZA on prescription pharmaceuticals or not, the musicianship on this track is awesome featuring some good songwriting. 

EXODUS   "THE BEATINGS WILL CONTINUE (UNTIL MORALE IMPROVES)" is a rager of a track featuring a thrash and roll sonic attack, dive bomb solos played tight and right. Plus the track title is a funny contradiction. 

EXODUS  "THE YEARS OF DEATH AND DYING" features a simple rolling, chugging riff with STEVE SOUZA'S unique vocal performance. Technical riffing adorns "THE YEARS OF DEATH AND DYING" chorus as the tempo of the track speeds up for the guitar solos. 

EXODUS  "CLICKBAIT" is an online experience we've all had. "CLICKBAIT" dabbles in thrash and roll with an old school 80's vibe, excellent guitar solos and mosh able rhythm guitar riffs.  

EXODUS "COSA DEL PANTANO" is a bluesy, acoustic instrumental. 

EXODUS  "LUNATIC-LIAR-LORD" segues in with an acoustic intro as the band thrashes away with the lead riff. "LUNATIC-LIAR-LORD" picks up the pace mid way through the track trading riffs and shredding solos. Good drumming via TOM HUNTING. 

 EXODUS "THE FIRES OF DIVISION"  features some sick and tight thrash riffing. STEVE SOUZA spits out some insightful lyrics about social-political divisions: "Do you believe in everything you hear?
Believe everything you see?
Afraid of what you're told to fear
Cower from what is to be
Embers of society
Ashes of the nation
Will rain upon us all
And our crumbling foundation"

 EXODUS: "PERSONA NON GRATA" closes with "ANTISEED" as the track enters is dramatic fashion with definitive, bluesy riffing, seguing into some tight thrash and riff o rama. I love that technical riff and how it roams through "ANTISEED" as the track speeds up with a vengeance, seguing into some shredding solos.  

  EXODUS: "PERSONA NON GRATA" has a fair share of interesting riffs, a cauldron of them, enough to snack on for some time.In fact,guitarists GARY HOLT and LEE ALTUS tend to work well together, pushing each other to new bounds of creativity. 

Considering the long running and legendary status of the band, it would be too easy to be caught up in recycling riffs here and there. However, there is no evidence of self plagiarizing on "PERSONA NON GRATA" as good riffs, tight playing are abundant on this record. 

While a few tracks toy with simpler riffing and mid tempos, EXODUS tends to shift tempos and riffs at light speed, coupled with good songwriting and moshable rhythms. 

EXODUS are seven years into the return of STEVE "ZETRO" SOUZA as he delivers both vocally and lyrically sounding like a demon from hell, a unique vocalist indeed. 

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It doesn't hurt to have ANDY SNEAP mix and produce your record as "PERSONA NON GRATA" sounds bombastic. 

  EXODUS: "PERSONA NON GRATA" is a return to form, showing the new wave of thrash metal bands how it's done, and where they got their inspiration from. 

"PERSONA NON GRATA", while not perfect features some bright moments, insightful lyrics and  delicious, brutal thrash with many new elements.

If you've been doing the "TOXIC WALTZ" all these years, you'll love the new EXODUS release: "PERSONA NON GRATA". . 

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.ITP RATING: **** (4 out of 5 stars)
PRODUCTION:****
SONGWRITING: ****
PERFORMANCE: ****1/2 .

   

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EXODUS: "PERSONA NON GRATA" : 

https://spak-individualthoughtpatterns.blogspot.com/2021/11/exodus-streaming-new-release-persona.html

 

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