Exodus - Goliath - review
Exodus - Goliath - review
Tracklist
01. 311102. Hostis Humani Generis
03. The Changing Me [feat. Peter Tägtgren]
04. Promise You This
05. Goliath [feat. Katie Jacoby]
06. Beyond The Event Horizon
07. 2 Minutes Hate
08. Violence Works
09. Summon Of The God Unknown
10. The Dirtiest Of The Dozen
A review by
omne metallum March 27, 2026
The bigger they are, the harder they fall, so the saying goes, and in Goliath's case, it falls far... and hard. Yes, Exodus return with their 12th offering, and having spent the last two decades rebuilding and re-establishing themselves since the extinction event that was the 1990s for thrash, the band make a rare and awkward mis-step in Goliath, an album that falls far short of expectations.
With Zetro toxic waltzing his way out of the exit door once more, Exodus replaces the replacement with the replacement's replacement... or more simply, Rob Dukes is back. While the jury never really came to a verdict on his first stint with the band, it's off to a rather ignominious start on his return. While Goliath isn't a terrible album, it is one that lacks high points or consistency for listeners to sink their ears into.
Goliath does however mark one of the more ambitious releases in the band's discography, filled with experimentation and a desire to do things differently; while it doesn't stray from thrash, it certainly manoeuvres around convention. This can range from the decision to put in a melodic chorus on "The Changing Me", to the attempt at a Pantera groove on "Violence Works", through to the decision to drop the tempo on the likes of "Summoning The God Unknown". While I don't begrudge Exodus wanting to do things differently, I do find fault with the results; as much as I wanted to enjoy Goliath, too often I was left thinking "is this it?"
While I'm not anti-Dukes, Goliath rarely plays to his strengths (raw, direct punk-laced aggression), instead highlighting his weaknesses on tracks like "Summon Of The God Unknown", where his direct and punk-infused style is blunted. Dukes isn't aided in that his voice has grown weaker since his last stint in the band, lessening the impact his visceral bark would have on songs such as "2 Minutes Hate". In Dukes' defence, and to look at the music as a whole, not even Zetro could salvage the likes of "Goliath". It would be merely tinkering at the edges, polishing a car that's just been in a multi-vehicle pile-up; sure, the paintwork is shiny, but the car's still on fire and the engine wrecked.
Amid this fabulous disaster, however, are some moments, be it segments, riffs and occasional full tracks, that are enjoyable and highlight that there is something to salvage from this situation. "Promise You This" is the highlight of the album, a punky effort that fits Dukes like a glove, eschews experimentation and just gets down to business. "Beyond The Event Horizon" and "The Dirtiest Of The Dozen" see everything click and produce rare highlights. While the production is weaker than usual, it at least retains Gibson's bass tone and position in the mix, allowing his bass work to breathe and shine (with even a rare break on "The Dirtiest Of The Dozen").
So David slays Goliath, an experiment that, while well intentioned, does not work in execution. While there are moments and tracks that will provide entertainment value, it is easily the band's weakest effort since Force Of Habit, incidentally the last album on which the band experimented to such a large extent. While it won't be persona non grata anytime soon, it certainly will be one of the last albums by the band that I'll reach for when I want my thrash.
Rating breakdown
| Performance: | 6 |
| Songwriting: | 6 |
| Originality: | 6 |
| Production: | 7 |
Written on 27.03.2026 by
Written on 27.03.2026 by
Just because I don't care doesn't mean I'm not listening. Comments
Comments:
5
Visited by
151 users
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Posts: 66  |
Posts: 66
Although I've listened to the album two days in a row, no song has stuck in my head. A great album if this wasn't an Exodus release, a bad album for them, speaking for myself I was expecting more rawness and violence because is freaking Exodus Quote: Yes, yes and yes. That's exactly what I think.
---- Be more like Funriz
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 Posts: 6209 |
Posts: 6209
I love the way you used several Exodus album/song titles in the review! )I want to say how many I counted, but I don't want to appear ignorant if my number is too low.) All that said, you're right when you say that it is Exodus' weakest album since Force of Habit. And just like "Count Your Blessings" was the only great track on that album, this one has only one great track too, "Promise You This". Perhaps because it's the most unorthodox?
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Posts: 161 |
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Posts: 992  |
Posts: 992
Even though it was a bit underwhelming I later found myself singing parts of some songs and having the riffs go through my head so I must have enjoyed it more on a subconscious level
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 Posts: 64328 |
Posts: 64328
Like this, they are getting older, but those who wants thrash back wont get 80s sound anymore from old bands, new bands yes ,but they are much smaller as David was in tines when Enoch wrote his book and Gods landet to earth and teach is how to thrash
---- I stand whit Ukraine and Israel. They have right to defend own citizens. Stormtroopers of Death - "Speak English or Die"  I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
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