Exodus - Bonded By Blood
Tracklist
01. Bonded By Blood02. Exodus
03. And Then There Were None
04. A Lesson In Violence
05. Metal Command
06. Piranha
07. No Love
08. Deliver Us To Evil
09. Strike Of The Beast
10. And Then There Were None [Live in London] [Century Media reissues bonus]
11. A Lesson In Violence [Live in London] [Century Media reissues bonus]
Additional info
Totally re-recorded in 2008, produced by Gary Holt and released October 28 as 'Let There Be Blood' - Guitarist Holt and drummer Tom Hunting are the only members to appear on both albums'Bonded by Blood' remastered, limited silver edition also released in 2008 by Century Media with bonus live tracks
The album was originally titled A Lesson in Violence, but had its name changed when an appropriate cover idea could not be found. An advance cassette copy of the album (with the original title) was widely distributed through the tape-trading network upon the record's completion in the middle of 1984, creating an immense underground buzz prior to the official release of the LP. The release was delayed due to problems with the artwork
Rating:
9.5
9.5
|
Rating:
9.5 |
Bay area legends Exodus's debut release Bonded By Blood is often hailed as one of the most influential thrash albums of all time. It's what you would expect from artists coming from the Richmond, CA area during the 80's crack epidemic, even nowadays Richmond is frequently among the top 10 most dangerous cities in The United States at the end of any given year. Bonded By Blood is a gritty, dirty, violent and highly aggressive work just like the environment and time period that spawned it. What other band can make a song about sadistically killing and raping that people can party and dance to? Not Many. I respect Exodus all the more because they aren't "shock rock." They are still realistic in the sense that they aren't only "doing it for the image" or to get a reaction out of people unlike some other more popular "extreme" bands portray themselves. Bonded by Blood to me is like home cooking. It may not be world-class, critically acclaimed cuisine, but every time I eat at a fancy restaurant, it's good but not satisfying. Sometimes after I eat at a gourmet restaurant, I end up going to a local hole-in-the-wall type spot to get food that is just as good; sometimes even better and will actually satisfy my hunger. I feel the same way about this piece; it may not be refined or "plated artfully," but damn it's good. Read more ›› |
Top lists
Comments page 3 / 4
Comments:
98
Visited by
1561 users
|
Posts: 1081 |
|
 Posts: 6707 |
Posts: 6707 Written by metalbrat on 16.01.2022 at 17:38 Same for me, could of been a 10 if not for the vocals.
Loading...
|
|
Posts: 5660  |
Posts: 5660 Written by metalbrat on 16.01.2022 at 17:38 What is "BATM" short for? 
---- I thought the two primary purposes for the internet were cat memes and overreactions.
Loading...
|
 Posts: 2799 |
Posts: 2799
Loading...
|
|
Posts: 1081 |
Posts: 1081 Written by Redel on 17.01.2022 at 15:24 Yes. Exactly.
---- In the beginning I was made of clay. Then I bit the apple and they changed me to metal 🤘
Loading...
|
|
Posts: 5660 |
Posts: 5660 Written by metalbrat on 17.01.2022 at 15:31 wow, didn't even think about that. I've never seen this abbreviation used anywhere.  Thanks!
---- I thought the two primary purposes for the internet were cat memes and overreactions.
Loading...
|
|
Posts: 1081 |
Posts: 1081 Written by John_Doe on 17.01.2022 at 16:25 
---- In the beginning I was made of clay. Then I bit the apple and they changed me to metal 🤘
Loading...
|
 Posts: 1289 |
Posts: 1289
This is a bottom 3 albums of the 80's for me
Loading...
|
| Posts: 2799 |
Posts: 2799 Written by Roman Doez on 03.07.2022 at 19:37  Dude, you really need to listen to more 80s metal, it seems.
Loading...
|
|
Posts: 1843  |
Posts: 1843 Written by No False Steele on 03.07.2022 at 21:17 Would that make you and Redel "Bonded By Bad Albums" then? Cause they're 100% right.
---- Need a break from headbanging? Restore your street cred by visiting my hip-hop list! Tha Swagnum Opus: A Selection Of Hip-Hop For The Curious Metalhead
Loading...
|
| Posts: 2799 |
Posts: 2799
Literally everybody, lovers as well as haters, is complaining about the vocals here. Funnily, I have never had even the slightest issues with the vocals on this classic of a thrash album. This album is so much about ass-kicking aggressive attitude that these vocals, the choruses included, are the best thing that could ever happen to this album. I could not think, and clearly do not want to think of any alternative vocals for this album. While I absolutely see why the vocals here are controversial and not everbody's thing, I find it really stunning that literally everybody, thrash fans loving this album included, do have problems with the vocals. Man, these vocals are so full of character .... Ok, I am gonna stop here. 
Loading...
|
| Posts: 6707 |
Posts: 6707 Written by Redel on 24.09.2022 at 22:40 It's strange because I remember being absolutely blown away by this album when I first heard it them years ago. The vocals were never an issue to begin with, I thought they were so full of aggresive energy and personality, and the vocals suited the lyrics and ferocity perfectly. But overtime I've found myself often being swayed by how others perceive the vocals, I mean his not the most talented vocalist, but then again thrash metal has never really been a genre that's renoun for talented vocalists as such, so I guess I've been harsh in that respect. Now I honestly believe in terms of songwriting, riffs, and all round total aggression, this album is certainly up there with some of the most iconic thrash releases of all time, and many thrash metal bands of today owe alot to this release, as I've heard many albums over time being influenced by this.
Loading...
|
|
Posts: 1 |
|
|
Posts: 1843 |
Posts: 1843
This might be the one album where I prefer the rerecording, if just for the vocals being better.
---- Need a break from headbanging? Restore your street cred by visiting my hip-hop list! Tha Swagnum Opus: A Selection Of Hip-Hop For The Curious Metalhead
Loading...
|
|
Posts: 90  |
Posts: 90
Only Exodus album where the vocals don't suck. Also the only essential Exodus record. Maybe the best rythm guitar on any classic thrash record, except Beneath the Remains.
Loading...
|
|
Posts: 90 |
Posts: 90
I mean they are solid when it comes playing basic thrash, and it could be possible that I need to listen to some of their stuff again, but Paul was their only remarkable vocalist.
Loading...
|
 Posts: 9584 |
Posts: 9584
Vocals are whatever, neither terrible nor amazing, but barring a few standout tracks, the songwriting (especially the "riffs") is a bit of a snooze fest. IMO there were tons of better thrash albums coming out around this time.
Loading...
|
|
Posts: 2 |
|
 Posts: 3535 |
Posts: 3535
I feel like gerold_dayne is baiting me... You're gonna tell me that the riffs are a snooze fest? On Bonded By Blood? Brother you're not a Thrash fan and that's alright by me... But stop it, stop that nonsense shit slinging at one of the best fucking thrash release of all time. Please. I respect your opinion, it is your right, but damn is it wrong. Every fucking song on this album is a stand out... There is literally no bad or forgetable track. I still struggle to this day to understand what people are missing on this one? I mean you're not a fan of Paul's vocals, sure I get that. But don't you fucking shit on the riffs you punks. 
---- - Headbanging with mostly clogged arteries to that stuff - Guib's List Of Essential Albums - Also Thrash Paradise Thrash Here
Loading...
|
| Posts: 2799 |
Posts: 2799 Written by Guib on 21.02.2024 at 01:56 As much as I agree with you on the album, it doesnt read here as if you honestly do, though.
Loading...
|
| Posts: 3535 |
Posts: 3535 Written by Redel on 21.02.2024 at 08:51 That was the goal lol. I don't.. I can't. This is beyond me Redel.
---- - Headbanging with mostly clogged arteries to that stuff - Guib's List Of Essential Albums - Also Thrash Paradise Thrash Here
Loading...
|
|
Posts: 72  |
Posts: 72
Maybe speaking objectively this is not the best thrash metal record indeed. But for me this album contains some "essence" or "spirit" of the genre itself. I mean it has everything: speed, aggression, energy, fun, technicality, groovy and melodic elements. Yes, there are more brutal records, more complex, faster records, etc., but here you can find ALL of that at some minimum. So if someone would ask me "What IS thrash metal", I would point at this album without any doubts. And it still has that magical ability to awake my inner headbanger who just wants to drink beer and listen some nasty shit. Damn I love this record!
Loading...
|
|
Posts: 265  |
Posts: 265
Not very familiar band but I have seen the album cover many times, or it just stands out because how ugly it is. Music is better but nothing I would like to listen again. There is some pretty cool riffs but the vocals take any fun from it quickly.
Loading...
|
| Posts: 3535 |
Posts: 3535 Written by Anghellic67 on 09.01.2025 at 18:25 Try the re-recording version "Let There Be Blood". This will fix your issue with the vocals.
---- - Headbanging with mostly clogged arteries to that stuff - Guib's List Of Essential Albums - Also Thrash Paradise Thrash Here
Loading...
|
|
Posts: 85  |
Posts: 85
Pretty standard thrash metal album, with nothing spectacular or different to show. Probably one of the most overrated albums in the genre.
Loading...
|
|
Posts: 5660 |
Posts: 5660 Written by Labelas on 24.02.2025 at 15:11 What's a standard thrash album in 1985?! Overrated?! I don't think so. I think it deserves all the appreciation it's got.
---- I thought the two primary purposes for the internet were cat memes and overreactions.
Loading...
|
| Posts: 9584 |
Posts: 9584 Written by John_Doe on 24.02.2025 at 15:42 Possessed, S.O.D, Anthrax, Slayer, Overkill etc... All released way better Thrash albums in 84-85. If you include 1986 this album falls even lower IMO. Pretty interesting to see the differences in opinion on this album though. Usually there are always a few outliers when an album is popular, but not this many.
Loading...
|
 Posts: 8310 |
Posts: 8310 Written by Redel on 24.09.2022 at 22:40 Written by Guib on 21.02.2024 at 01:56 Written by Yxag on 13.03.2024 at 05:09 Written by Metal Fromage on 12.08.2020 at 16:27 Written by John_Doe on 03.04.2020 at 15:45 Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 06.12.2012 at 10:52 Don't mind me, just quoting some truths about this album.
Loading...
|
|
Posts: 1843 |
Posts: 1843
Probably one of the few instances where the re-recording is better than the original, but even then it’s a case of “polish a turd, it’s still a turd.” Rob Dukes is definitely the superior vocalist, but improved vocals can’t redeem it from bad songwriting and some of the most cringe inducing lyrics imaginable.
---- Need a break from headbanging? Restore your street cred by visiting my hip-hop list! Tha Swagnum Opus: A Selection Of Hip-Hop For The Curious Metalhead
Loading...
|
| Posts: 9584 |
Posts: 9584
Loading...
|
Hits total: 35629 | This month: 107