Goliath
Exodus
Rob Dukes is back, and Goliath gives him plenty to shout about. Exodus' latest album has the speed, aggressive guitar work and ugly sense of humour that belong with the name. It also makes some room for slower ideas that turn out to be just as effective.
3111 gets things moving with a strong, tense riff and a vocal performance that leaves little doubt about Dukes' enthusiasm. Gary Holt and Lee Altus give the guitars plenty of detail, but the song keeps its focus on impact. It's a good opening because the aggression feels organised rather than simply busy.
Hostis Humani Generis and Beyond the Event Horizon provide the faster attacks. Tom Hunting's drums keep the songs moving, while the leads give the rhythm guitars a useful change of perspective. There's a lot of experience in this band, and the playing makes that clear without needing to point it out.
The title track is a more interesting surprise. It slows the pace towards doom metal, with Katie Jacoby's strings adding a darker edge. That change gives the album another kind of weight. The song has enough confidence to stay heavy without constantly putting its foot down.
The Changing Me adds another contrast, bringing in Peter Tägtgren and a more melodic vocal element. Some listeners will prefer the straight thrash material, but the extra voices help the album feel broader. Violence Works also benefits from a more pronounced groove and some lively bass playing.
Not every song has the same identity. Promise You This is effective but more familiar, and a few stretches rely on the band's ability to make established moves sound forceful. They manage it, although those songs don't linger as strongly as the more distinctive material.
Goliath succeeds because Exodus allow themselves several ways to be heavy. The fast songs deliver, the slower ones add character, and Dukes sounds fully involved. It's a substantial record with more range than the first few minutes suggest.
