The year was 1989 when I first saw Exodus on stage. They were direct support to Anthrax on the "Persistence of Time" tour. Did I mention it was prom night? I skipped my high school prom to travel the hour + into the closest city to see the tour. I wouldn't have likely gone to prom anyway but I'll tie that with this by article end.
A couple years ago a documentary called "Get Thrashed" was released and it set out to chronicle and interview important bands from the middle and late 80s that popularized what became thrash metal. Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax are often laundry listed with the genre but, if you stop there, your perspective is incomplete at best. Thankfully the directors of "Get Thrashed" felt the same and spent a lot of time talking up bands like Exodus to help fill out viewer's play lists.
When I saw Exodus they had just released their third full length record, "Fabulous Disaster". The band's first big "hit", a song called "Toxic Waltz" whose corniness was only overshadowed by how completely bad ass it was, was getting repeated spins on Headbanger's Ball. It seemed the band was set to become the next big break out of the genre. Shortly after, the band signed with Capitol Records and released their fourth full length, "Impact is Imminent", and then metal died. Or grunge was born, at least in their label's eyes.
It's been over 20 years since then and, while Exodus has battled drug addiction, death and an occasional member defection as well as a lengthier sabbatical during metal's leaner years, they have continued to release relevant and on point records, like this years "Exhibit B: The Human Condition", since reforming in 2001.
Exodus will be headlining an all ages show Wed, Aug 18th, at Studio Seven. Direct support will be Malevolent Creation, another influential band though on the death metal tip, whose new record "Invidious Dominion" will be released later this month. Opening will be Holy Grail, Bonded By Blood and Killing the Masses. Show time is 6pm and tickets are $21.
When I told people I was skipping prom to go see Anthrax and Exodus, several told me I'd regret that decision. That prom only happened once in our lives. I'm 38 now and I have never regretted that decision. Not once.
Words by Roy Culver
wow i wouldn't regret that decision either! best decision you could have made! haha. Hope that show went well on the 18th, the kick off show down in Portland went absolutely killer! We helped open it up, check out some of the video on Metalopolis: http://metalopolis.blip.tv
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