Exodus Albums Ranked
Exodus is an American thrash metal band formed in 1979 in Richmond, California. They have gone through numerous lineup changes, two extended hiatuses, and the deaths of two former band members. Their current lineup consists of guitarists Gary Holt and Lee Altus, bassist Jack Gibson, drummer Tom Hunting, and lead vocalist Steve “Zetro” Souza. Hunting is one of the original members, and departed from Exodus twice, in 1989 and 2004, but rejoined in 2007. Holt joined the band about two years after its formation and is the only member of Exodus to appear on all their releases. Exodus is also considered to be one of the “big eight” of thrash metal, along with Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Anthrax, Testament, Overkill and Death Angel. The band had particular success in the mid-to-late 1980s with their first three studio albums: Bonded by Blood (1985), Pleasures of the Flesh (1987), and Fabulous Disaster (1989). The critical praise given to Fabulous Disaster garnered attention from major labels, including Capitol Records, with whom Exodus signed in 1989. The band released two more studio albums (Impact Is Imminent in 1990 and Force of Habit in 1992) before disbanding in 1994. Here are all of Exodus albums ranked.
Don’t miss out on the music of Exodus below! Click to enjoy the songs that made them a huge commercial success in the USA!
10. Impact Is Imminent (1990)
“This is just thrash metal at its finest! it has everything you could dream of if you are looking to bang your head! the guitar sound is perfect for those that love that shredding sound! very underated thrash metal album! it may not be viewed in the same light as kill em all or reign in blood, it is probably just below those as greatest thrash albums!”
9. Another Lesson In Violence (1997)
“Easily one of the best thrash albums ever. Fast and heavy from start to finish and good production to boot. IMHO, there’s no bad track on the album. I’m not always a fan of Baloff’s vocals but on this live album he gets it spot on. And to quote the man himself: “I love heavy”. Can’t argue with that!”
8. The Atrocity Exhibition…Exhibit A (2007)
“The return of tom hunting to the drums means alot to this cd Paul Bostaph is a great drummer and fast but exodus needs tom to put out the stamp on drums to make it exodus.I’ve heard Perry strickland,john tempesta,and Paul bostaph on drums but tom hunting seals it.Lee altus has blended into the ex-shred mold more but Gary is still the main attraction here. The guitars are thick and heavy but cut you with their razor sharp attack.this cd is one of the great thrash cds released in this time of thrash rebirths.this cd is furious and brutal.”
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7. Blood In, Blood Out (2014)
“The songs have some decent time lengths so their is plenty of onslaught to go around and most of them are CATCHY and have some moments you will remember. “Body Harvest” has the catchiest riff of all the songs while “BTK” is the most melodic, a striking chorus in the middle and a surprise at the end with some death metal “GROWLS” courtesy of CHUCK BILLY” side by side with Steve’s shrieks”
6. Pleasures Of The Flesh (1987)
“This is a perfect example of how great classic thrash metal. The production was great, especially for the time it was made. I love Exodus and Zetro’s vocals in particular. In my opinion Tempo of the Damned is a slightly better offering but this definitely holds up to their best material. Parasite, the title track, Seeds of Hate, Chemi-kill, and Choose Your Weapon all are among Exodus’s best songs and definitely make this release worth anyone’s time.”
5. Force Of Habit (1992)
“There are two cover versions on this album “Bitch” and “Pump It Up” written and originally performed by The Rolling Stones and Elvis Costello respectively, which incidentally I am not fond of. In my humble opinion there are two stand out tracks “Architect Of Pain” and “Good Day To Die” which are real gems but the rest of the album I find rather mediocre and a tad disappointing. Over the years since its release I have come to love the album but I still don’t like the cover songs. This album may be Exodus’ weakest effort but it is still very good on the whole and would make a good addition to a Thrash Metal collection.”
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4. Shovel Headed Kill Machine (2005)
“Beautiful Brutality !! At its finest !! From the moment you press play to the moment the disc ends you are being assault in the best possible way ! Not to sound like a broken record, but Exodus is without a doubt one of the best thrash/metal bands ever !! Disc after disc nothing but pure perfection. I have said it before and Ill say it again. I just recently discovered the musical perfection of Exodus. “
3. Fabulous Disaster (1988)
“Well this is not POP so you have to call this album CRUSHING. It is one of the finest platters of late 80’s Thrash metal. Tight guitar work, heavy drums and (…)-peeling lead work make this album [rocks] at every turn. Lyrics like “I’ll hunt you down and kill you for no apparent reason.” are what this album is all about. This and the “Bonded By Blood” album are the ones to get if you are just a casual Exodus listener. This is their watershed album.”
2. Tempo Of The Damned (2004)
“Exodus is easily the best thrash metal band around today, and everything they’ve put out post-2000 is amazing. Tempo of the Damned kicked off the modern era of Exodus and is probably my favorite album from them, period! Absolutely no filler, just outstanding riffs and drumming all the way through… the kind of riffs that just make you instantly nod your head, if not outright bang… with an inclination to throw out a hand on beat.”
1. Bonded By Blood (1985)
“Had it been released only one year earlier, “Bonded By Blood” might be generally regarded as one of the earliest, and most primitive thrash metal albums ever. (It would rank right alongside Metallica’s “Kill `Em All” and Slayer’s “Show No Mercy.”) But it wasn’t, so it doesn’t. Nevertheless, Exodus have created one very fine thrash/speed metal record in their debut, 1985’s “Bonded By Blood.”