Exodus - Tempo Of The Damned (2004)

I'll openly admit that Exodus were never one of my fave thrash acts. Vocally, Steve Souza used to grate a little, and there always seemed to be more sinister or heavier bands around. Exodus are a different force nowadays, heavier and deeper, but 2004's 'Tempo...', which features Souza on vocals, is a stonking album. This is true thrash, it's heavy, at times pretty fast, well produced and the songs are brilliantly structured, from the Slayer riffage of 'War Is My Shepherd', to the ominous bass laden 'Blacklist'. Souza gives his best performance, almost like a possessed Bon Scott! 'Tempo...' is in fact so good that it's like stepping back into the mid to late '80s, and boys, that's a big compliment, and yet it still fits into the genre of today which of course produces greater dynamics and weight. I never thought I'd hear Exodus so biting and dangerous and this album is a worthy addition to the collection of any thrasher. Steve Souza fled the nest afterward and was replaced by Dukes for the bands heaviest work.

8/10