A dimaond in the rough.... from my vinyl vault: Exodus classic thrash-metal w/Bonded By Blood

Cover to Exodus's, "Bonded By Blood".

I'll never forget the day I scooped up this thrash gem up for $3 at Birdland Records! They don't usually carry metal, or almost even at all! I have often wondered if the only reason I got this for such a steal is because none of the staff seem to have interest in metal, and boy am I lucky they don't! Exodus is a band that for some reason is arguably highly underrated and not often credited enough throughout history of thrash metal. If your a thrash fan then you know "the big four" refers to: Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, and Anthrax. I often think this list/phrase should be extended five and throw in Exodus (but then again while were at it there is also Testament, Vio-Lence, Overkill, Celtic Frost, Death Angel, Pantera, Kreator, Dark Angel, and so many more! I know that's a ton and too many for a quick easy credit, but they're all phenomenal and in their own way just as significant as any. That being said, this album is of highly significant and exciting for being one of the big staples in contribution to a healthy thrash-metal diet.

Back of, "Bonded By Blood".

One thing I've noticed, especially after repeated listens from this original to its re-recorded, "Let There Be Blood" (w/Rob Dukes behind the mic, instead of the now deceased Paul Baloff) is how strikingly different these two frontman are. It's actually quite surprising, Paul Baloff technically should be a terrible idea for a frontman; yet in reality his sheer energy and heart drives the record along. Rob Dukes does a great performance of course, but the difference is: Paul Baloff doesn't even sound like he's performing at all, he's just a guy so in love with heavy metal who is just going off, and doing so long before a thrash-blueprint if you will really existed.
His intensity transcends from the record into the air and takes you along. The vocal production is (of course quite dated) but also really interesting, and despite an obvious effect of that era, it's very interesting and actually much more unique than some of the more modern productions that we hear now. Then again the production as a whole is rather interesting for that same reason, sure you can tell it was recorded in the 80's--- but it doesn't matter, it still has a classic element to it and its so raw in a fun way that is actually more rewarding than the polished re-recorded version (thought the polished version is also a lot of fun to listen, it's amazing how different recording techniques give a different vibe to a band that played everything note per note basically the same).

Inside lyrics/picture sheet.

The riffs on this album are incredibly iconic, it's no wonder that this is a go-to album for so many bands of the genre to follow, these guys along with the other big four really basically built almost from the ground up the entire thrash-metal wheel musically for so many others after them to follow. Every riff feels larger than life, pummeling, and crushing. The leads are more in the Slayer-league of doing things, "Catchy melodic solos? Who has time for that!? We just wanna shred!" The drums are a fierce pounding thunder and so raw, the timing is dead-on, bands using digital recording couldn't be this tight without the help of Pro-Tools; this band is legendary for a reason!

Inside lyric/picture sheet.

Lyrically this album is possibly the best representation of thrash metal in itself because it really sings about heavy metal culture in itself, it embraces the glory of thrashing around in the pit and going wild, and also the area of the record that partially departures from reality a bit with the violence; Exodus never killed anyone, at the same time it's not like bands like this relate to the hippie generation of acoustic guitars, flowers, and throwing up a peace sign-- it's heavy metal, if it were about kittens and rainbows it would throw off the energy of this album--- most importantly, like many many metal bands its more of the atmosphere that is trying to be captured here, it creates an incredible alertness and urgency; above all its mostly to create that mischievous sense of reckless fun that is associated with thrash-metal. The lyrical content reminds me of an Iggy Pop quote in reference to MC5, "everyone would just get all sweaty and gloriously beat up" and that also basically applies to Exodus.

An incredible debut release and an absolute must for thrash metal fans. Exodus's, "Bonded By Blood" is a relentless explosion of thrash metal, the energy within this album is remarkable, it will withstand the test of time even after Exodus themselves are long gone--- along with other classics like Slayer's, "Reign In Blood", Megadeth's first two albums, early Metallica, Anthrax's, "Among the Living", and so forth-- Exodus's first album will also be forever ranked in the thrash hall of fame.

A diamond in the rough, from my vinyl vault: Dischord's Faith/Void split- a DC Hardcore masterpiece!

Cover to Faith side

When I was younger and diving into the treasure chest of punk rock's glorious past, along my way I like many other people of that age interested in that music, inevitably stumbled across Minor Threat. Arguably more interesting, or certainly at least equally interesting-- was when I looked on the back and noticed the small logo reading: Dischord Records.

So naturally, I was curious-- what label put this out!? Do they have more stuff like this!? Why this light-bulb hadn't struck my peers as well and/or more often, I have no clue! Next thing I knew, I was looking into the label and its amazing catalog of material, and at some point while digging around stumbled on this record; not realizing my new favorite album in this realm of hardcore would soon be more appropriately thought of as simply an all time favorite. Recently I made a little trip to Skinnies Records to pick up this classic split.

Faith and Void were two powerhouse D.C. hardcore bands in, and also rather different from each other as well. Part of what makes this record particularly intriguing is that though they might not have been the most groundbreaking bands of their time, within punk or hardcore-- but they were certainly different from most bands of their style. Even more so they were rather different from each other, making this an extremely neat pairing of groups for a split.

Faith side of lyrics sheet

Faith was a high-energy band fronted by a particularly striking front-man-- Alec Mackaye who gave off a rather sincere style of both his lyrics coupled with his aggressive delivery behind the mic. Faith was surprisingly at times rather melodic for a hardcore group, and what made them so unique was how well written their songs are, it's strange to bring up terms like poppy and dare I even say digestible, and yet strangely they also feel rather appropriate when Faith comes to mind.

When the record suddenly rips open with, "It's Time" and its grooving heavy riff, the energy just keeps building and mounting together-- until Alec belts out his grand declaration in the chorus with, "I'm gonna' make society bleed!" Its very interesting that this opening song is actually quite slow for this band; yet the bar for the level of intensity on the whole record has been set in this one moment, and it almost seems unthinkable that it could never once let up or fall below when the bar was set so high from the get-go.

"Trapped", is an amazing song-- a song that often after listening to side A of this record can get stuck in your head for hours-- who knew hardcore could be this catchy!?! Its approach to social situations is the perfect example of how lyrically this band is above and beyond other hardcore groups. "You're X'd!" is another classic song, a propulsive tune bursting with an emotional depth to the lyrics on the subject of straight-edge quite possibly never matched by anyone ever since.

Cover to Void side.

Void is insanely interesting from start to finish. Their style was so explosive and wild, which is no small accomplishment in a form of music where things are already high-speed and blaring full blast at all times.  Although Void is very guilty of something most hardcore bands always try to do: play as fast as possible at all times! However, unlike most other bands-- Void executed this to the max and almost effortlessly!

The guitarist Bubba Dupree played wild licks and solos-- shredding and bordering on heavy metal (which they later would stylistically shift to), yet rhythmically and song structure-wise still within the confines of hardcore. He had amazing control and technique with the whammy bar, and it's definitely a key component in what made Void so much more exciting and drastically different from other hardcore bands.

Void side of lyrics sheet

The ferocity of vocalist John Weiffenbach and his mischievous behavior behind the mic are trademark to the bands sound as well. Lyrically, Void was also very interesting, but for totally different reasons than Faith. They had an eerie spooky vibe to their content full of violence with songs like, "Time to Die" and, "Condensed Flesh; as well as a confrontational in-your-face attitude with their anthems, "Ignorant People" and arguably the highlight of side B, "My Rules".

This reissue edition of the record comes complete with a digital download, and a killer lyric/photo sheet inside. This is definitely a must-own for any punk/hardcore collectors, and if you somehow haven't managed to come across this yet, then you are about to have that same light-bulb mentioned earlier shine your way!

John Weiffenbach

John Weiffenbach