Last year saw Bay Area thrash icons Exodus play two back-to-back dates at the Underworld, hotly anticipated by London's thrash faithful as these shows saw the return of previous vocalist Steve 'Zetro' Souza. The gigs were both extremely well attended and seeing Exodus live in London less than a year later is an indicator of the band's revived popularity.
Formed in 2010 with three full-length albums to their name and a deal with Nuclear Blast already, Finland's Lost Society have accomplished a huge amount in such a succinct length of time. Their thrash metal is modern and brooding while drawing influence from the classic '80s forefathers. Frolicking rhythm-centred riffs, simple but pounding drums and hardcore-style vocals are the centerpiece of these Finns' offerings. Armed with a particularly spirited stage presence, the four-piece manage to win over the audience and maintain all eyes are on them throughout, proving an appropriate appetizer for the headliners.
Before '80s thrash metal legends Exodus play, the Underworld is rammed with spectators. The band takes the stage and blasts off with 'Black 13' from 2014's 'Blood In, Blood Out', marking Steve Souza's return to the helm of the band. The audience response to the opener is emphatic with a mosh pit instantly occupying the Underworld. The title track follows immediately, with fists pumping along to the chorus. However, the outstanding 'And Then There Were None' from their most beloved album 'Bonded By Blood' offers a strong dose of genre-defining '80s thrash metal and incites a more fervent audience reaction.
The band is simply on fire tonight, brimming with enthusiasm while constantly headbanging and encouraging the everlasting flow of crowdsurfers and stage divers. Once again, guitarist Gary Holt is off with his other band Slayer and Heathen guitarist KragenLum is again commendably filling the void. Souza sounds visceral and snarls the old Paul Baloff songs perfectly. He tells the audience how much he loves playing these tiny club shows, reminiscent of the band's earliest live outings, and how the Underworld is Exodus's favourite London venue to lay waste to. The 'Bonded By Blood' songs are the main course of the night with the likes of 'Metal Command', 'Piranha' and 'A Lesson in Violence' (the latter dedicated to Lemmy) cropping up in the set. 'Body Harvest' and 'Salt the Wound' represent the latest album further while staples such as 'Blacklist' and 'War is my Shepherd' secure a voluminous response. 'Impaler' is introduced as being a rarity for the band to be played live and admittedly is underrated in Exodus's cannon. The headliners leave the stage after this selection but the audience is immovable and shake the walls by chanting the band's name over and over.
Surely enough, the Americans return, putting their best foot forward with the title track of 'Bonded By Blood' that sees the acceleration of stage divers and a violent mosh pit. This is chased down with the spectacular 'Toxic Waltz' with a similarly devastating response. The punters are sticky with each others sweat when the final song of the night arrives – 'Strike of the Beast' – and affords a final opportunity for the fans to collectively lose what little remains of their sanity in the good friendly violent fun that has been percolating consistently all night. This is a thunderous close to the night and the mammoth ovation the band receives is wholly justified.
Exodus have been kicking around for a long time but their live shows are bulging with the youthful vigor and enthusiasm that most younger acts are severely lacking. They could easily play a larger venue but they are comfortable being upfront in the midst of the violence and cast any rockstar pretension to the side. With Souza back in the fold, this is Exodus at the best they have been in a long time.
FUTURE GIGS
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