For Week Ending:
22 June 2024

Exodus - British Disaster, The Battle Of '89 (Live At The Astoria) (2024)

[Thrash Metal]

Exodus suffered a number of unlucky setbacks in the 80s, and many believe this is the reason their early 1990s output suffered in the quality department. Whilst substance abuse probably had more to do with their downfall that lady-luck, it does pose many 'what if?' scenarios, one of which being 'what if this was released back in 1989 when it was recorded?'. Performed at London's Astoria with locals Acid Reign on support, this is a document of a band undisputably at its peak, and the performance is intense and brutal, reminding us that Exodus really deserved a place alongside the likes of Slayer and Metallica. This is the line-up most see as the band's peak - the twin lead of Gary Holt and Rick Hunolt held steady by Rob McKillop on bass and Tom Hunting on drums, and of course the razor-blade vocals of Steve Souza at front of stage. From the moment the first note of 'The Last Act Of Defiance' is played you can see the sweat-filled pit break in your mind's eye, and that familiar head crushing guitar tone only Exodus can dial into rips into your brain. The next hour and a quarter is filled with a selection of fan favourites from all three of the band's albums at the time, and although it is quite heavy with tracks from Fabulous Disaster (the album being toured), it doesn't skimp on earlier material. The songs are frenzied, but still tight, with the Holt and Hunolt (the 'H Team' as they were known at the time) perfectly in-tune with each other, delivering the riffs and solos on the earlier material with perfect precision regardless of the lighting speed. Hunting's drumming is insanely fast, with double kicks on songs like 'Fabulous Disaster' seemingly otherworldly. The energy bubbles throughout, and even on longer tracks like "An Then There Were None' and 'Like Father, Like Son' that slow the tempo, the band doesn't slow the intensity. With a mouth full of gravel and broken glass, Souza's vocals hold up well, and at no point in the high-energy show do the band feel fatigued. About the only thing that doesn't hold up is the between songs banter, which like most U.S. thrash bands of the time is full of cringe-worthy rants about violence and politicians. Closing with crowd favourite 'Strike Of The Beast' the whole thing ends in the same style it started, brutality, and then it is gone, and the time capsule is again closed. Archival releases like this are often just a way to clear the vaults, and act like a passing curiosity - but this album is more than that. It's rough-hewn edges and sheer sonic force reminds us of a time when metal wasn't about anything more than banging your head and making some loud and wonderful noise. Thankfully 35 years on Exodus are still doing just that.

Arist Information
Exodus is an American thrash metal band formed in 1979 in Richmond, California. Exodus is notable for early on including a then-unknown Kirk Hammett, who was the band's lead guitarist from its inception to his departure in 1983, when he left to join fellow Bay Area thrash metal band Metallica as Dave Mustaine's replacement. Gary Holt has been most consistent member throughout various lineup changes and breakups, and is the only member to appear on all of Exodus' recordings. Much of the band's career has also been affected by feuds between both band members and record companies, two extended hiatuses, deaths of former band members and drug addictions. Along with Metallica, they are often credited as pioneers of the Bay Area thrash metal scene, and have been referred to as one of the region's so-called "big six" alongside Testament, Death Angel, L??z Rockit, Forbidden and Vio-lence. They have sold over five million albums worldwide.

Release Information
'British Disaster, The Battle Of '89 (Live At The Astoria)' is a live album by Exodus. It was recorded at The London Astoria on March 8, 1989 during the band's Fabulous Disaster tour.

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991)

[Alternative Rock]

I'd never heard of these guys prior to this release and was surprised to realise this was to be their 5th studio album. However very much a change of pace/direction for the band. Produced by the legendary Rick Rubin, previous fans may have been shocked. Again a 1992 release considered a tumultuous period for metal/rock music. Metal struggling to keep their identity on the surge of Grunge. However there was a band doing something a little different that managed to break through both with their funk/groove sound that seemed to stick with the music population of the day. They had their hits such as 'Suck My Kiss' and 'Give it Away', however it was 'Under The Bridge', a slow, melodic, soulful piece that hit a home run for them. I hadn't realised until this year, this had a very special meaning to the band. Search for Chad Smith and him reminiscing on the song. You can see he's almost bought to tears. If you bought the record after the radio attention you find a 17 song, 70 minute album that links Flea's bottom bass sound, Chad's funk/rock sound on the drums and let's not forget Frusciante's amazing guitar effort, crossing from that groove, into rock/metal solos. And there is Kiedis who is almost an instrument in itself with his voice. I could reference Mike Patton who is the only other that I consider that can use their voice to provide an additional sound to the band. Sure there are questionable songs with questionable lyrics that some may call cheesy or unnecessary, however it is more about the music and sound that such songs produce that is captivating. Overall, I love this record and it is clearly in my Top 5 of all time.

Arist Information
Red Hot Chili Peppers are an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1982. Their music incorporates elements of alternative rock, funk, punk rock, hard rock, hip hop, and psychedelic rock. Their eclectic range has influenced genres such as funk metal, rap metal, rap rock, and nu metal. With over 120 million records sold worldwide, they are one of the top-selling bands of all time. They hold the records for most number-one singles (15), most cumulative weeks at number one (91) and most top-ten songs (28) on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart. They have won six Grammy Awards, were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012, and in 2022 received a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame.