Considered by many to be the true founders of the Bay Area thrash movement, Exodus finally managed to release this, their debut album, in 1985. If it had been released two years earlier, we may be comparing Metallica and Slayer to Exodus, instead of vice versa, but it didn’t work out that way. Still, this album has attained legendary status in the thrash community, and in many ways lives up to that billing. By 1985, bands were crawling out of the woodwork to release ultra-fast, aggressive and violent albums, but there are three things that set this one apart: riffs, riffs, and more riffs. The album is positively dripping with them, making it a more enjoyable listen than most early thrash offerings.
Guitarists Rick Hunolt and Gary Holt really shine, proving song after song that they can do much more than play really fast. The vocals are the main thing holding this release back: admittedly, Paul Baloff’s screams fit the tone of the album well, but that doesn’t change the fact that he’s just not a very good singer. He reminds of the highest early Hetfield -- think of the screamiest moments of "Hit The Lights."
Music-wise, the closest comparison would be Slayer, although the riffs are much more out front here, and more quality solos are featured. The first two tracks are relatively standard speed metal fare, but things kick in nicely on "And Then There Were None," featuring a head-bobbing main riff and a mid-song tempo change that brings "The Four Horsemen" to mind. Holt and Hunolt do an admirable job of keeping up with the frenetic pace of "A Lesson In Violence," followed by "Metal Command," which comes closest to sounding like it belongs on Metallica’s "Kill ‘Em All". The frantic speed metal intro of "Piranha" gives way to a nice chugging groove, and an unexpected acoustic intro to "No Love" leads into another menacing riff fest.

TRACK LIST:

1. Bonded by Blood
2. Exodus
3. And Then There Were None
4. A Lesson in Violence
5. Metal Command
6. Piranha
7. No Love
8. Deliver Us to Evil
9. Strike of the Beast