EXODUS „Persona Non Grata”

Nuclear Blast, November 2021
Music: Thrash Metal
Website:
https://exodusattack.com/site/
https://www.facebook.com/exodusattack
Duration: 1:00:18
Country: United States

This band needs no special introduction, as they are the living legends of Bay Area Thrash Metal. Not counting their hiatus and turbulent times in the 90s, this album was the longest awaited one which was issued after 7 years as a follow up to “Blood In Blood Out” from 2014. Gary Holt’s touring responsibilities with SLAYER and then unfortunate Tom Hunting’s cancer battle put the band into difficult position and prolonged the release date.

The album starts with the title track and in quite usual way in their case with earthquake of riffs and galloping drumming at the beginning. Over 7 minute song sets the bar high with a lot of twists and turns of slower and faster moments assembled into a quite complex composition. It is definitely one of the highlights of the album. Songs like “R.E.M.F.”, “Slipping Into Madness”, “The Beating Will Continue” or “Clickbait” are crushing riff oriented thrash pieces that every diehard fan would expect to hear on their every record. No surprise and of course no disappointment here.

“Prescribing Horror” is worth another special mention thanks to super heavy opening riff and haunting atmosphere throughout the whole song musically and lyrically. Zetro is like a narrator of this horrific story he signs about and the ending of the song with child’s cries even intensifies the whole experience. “Lunatic-Liar-Lord” like the title track shows more ‘progressive’ side of the band which they explored in it’s best form on “Exhibit A and B” albums. Great song with not that obvious structure, packed with riffs and guitar solos.
Drum maestro – Tom Hunting deserves a separate paragraph because of his victory against cancer which allowed him to finally get back onto his throne behind the kit. As usual, he crushes everything on his way with his trademark patterns. I saw EXODUS live on 2022 tour with TESTAMENT and HEATHEN. The moment when he stood up on his chair, raised his T-shirt and showed his stomach to cheering audience with a wide smile on his face was very special. There were no words needed, everybody knew and could only pay respect to what he went through and that he survived it all.

This is their second album with Zetro as a singer after he came back into the band. Unfortunately, this is the aspect of the album which I would love to modify here and there. It means fewer high pitched shrieks and more lower growls which we all know he can deliver. Check very end of the title track, short parts of growls in “Prescribing Horror” or “Lunatic-Liar-Lord” – those songs get another level of brutality thanks to heavier and lower voice. In some cases the diversified singing makes a good job, but in general, in my humble opinion, together with great production of the album they could all annihilate.

I am not complaining, because EXODUS issued another great album and they definitely proved that they do not run out of ideas for their unique recipe for Thrash Metal.

Tracklist:
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

Line-up:
Steve “Zetro” Souza – Vocals
Gary Holt – Guitars
Lee Altrus – Guitars
Jack Gibson – Bass
Tom Hunting – Drums

Rate: 7.5/10