Exodus - Klubben - 30 August 2008

Fucking Exodus, man. These guys came together in 1980 (originally with Kirk Hammett on guitar, of now sold-out Metallica), and they've been through a lot - but are one of the few original Bay Area Thrash bands still going (and going strong). Bonded by Blood, their first studio release from 1985, is chock full of riffage, and its a wonder why this band isn't bigger than they are today.

The show at Klubben here in Stockholm was the last show of their European tour - and I wonder if it wasn't a sore fucking disappointment to them - with all of 150 people or so showing up. I asked the guy at the door if the show was sold out, and he just laughed at me. Thanks, man. You're a dick. These guys are legends. They deserve a lot more. A lot. Stockholm...wake up!

They of course played the classics, like "Bonded by Blood", "Piranha" and "The Toxic Waltz"...with Rob Dukes on vocals - I gotta say, this guy has charisma and class, boys and girls. He, no less than twice, was pointing out hot chicks in the audience. He told us to mosh, and we moshed. He demanded violence, we gave it to him. He wanted to recreate "Fight Club" on the ground floor of the venue...the man got his "Fight Club". He commanded...and we obeyed. Cheerily.

So, even though the crowd was small, the atmosphere couldn't have been bigger and more energetic - we thrash-metalheads love our legends and we're not afraid to show it. Exodus may be small in the grand scheme of (let's face it, people) fake, commercial metal - but they're larger than life in our hearts.

Love always,
-p2