Exodus
Copenhell - 2018
Text: Tobias Nilsson Photo: Lunah Lauridsen
Opening the Helvíti stage this day, was one of the classic Bay Area thrash bands - Exodus.
Our one encounter with them in the past had not been an impressive one, but surely they deserved another chance, right?
“Are you ready for some Exodus style violence?!”
- Steve ‘Zetro’ Souza (vocals)
The sun was hot overhead, and yet there had gathered a good sized crowd in front of the stage. We were far from filled up, but taking the time (first band of the day here) into consideration, it was quite respectable.
Exodus opened in a strong fashion with Funeral Hymn from the The Atrocity Exhibition: Exhibit A album, as well as a fired up Souza, who immediately tried to grab hold of the crowd with a united “hey” chant, which worked out pretty well for him.
In fact, the entire band seemed lit, and were very active in getting the party started. Jack Gibson quickly took a ‘foot on the speaker’ stance at the front, and when the riffing commenced Lee Altus and Kragen Lum joined him while headbanging hard. Gary Holt wasn’t with the band at this time, as he was probably held up in obligations to Slayer, but that was alright - his live replacement could certainly hold his own.
“Are you motherfucking ready to go faster with Exodus?!”
- Souza (vocals)
What the band was handing out, was clearly working on the crowd. Sure, the back rows still hadn’t gotten over their morning hangover, but in the front people were headbanging wildly, and it didn’t take long for a mosh to start kicking up dust. This in turn evolved into a circle pit, which continued to stir up energy.
In fact, when Exodus hit their final song of the day, Strike Of The Beast, they managed to get not just one, but two walls of death going, the latter even larger than the former, and that was quite impressive, if you ask me. Not surprisingly then, that drummer Tom Hunting spent so much time afterwards, throwing out setlists and drumsticks to the happy fans.
“Copenhell, we came all the way from north California, but you guys made us feel right the fuck at home!”
- Tom Hunting (drums)
Musically, Exodus will never be my favourite thrash band, but I have to hand it to them, that they handled the performance much, much better this time around. It wasn’t perfect, but it had its moments, and overall the band did what they were supposed to - kick up some energy, and get the party of the day started.
Setlist:
Funeral Hymn
Blood In, Blood Out
Deliver Us To Evil
And Then There Were None
Parasite
A Lesson In Violence
Blacklist
Bonded By Blood
The Toxic Waltz
Strike Of The Beast
Our one encounter with them in the past had not been an impressive one, but surely they deserved another chance, right?
“Are you ready for some Exodus style violence?!”
- Steve ‘Zetro’ Souza (vocals)
The sun was hot overhead, and yet there had gathered a good sized crowd in front of the stage. We were far from filled up, but taking the time (first band of the day here) into consideration, it was quite respectable.
Exodus opened in a strong fashion with Funeral Hymn from the The Atrocity Exhibition: Exhibit A album, as well as a fired up Souza, who immediately tried to grab hold of the crowd with a united “hey” chant, which worked out pretty well for him.
In fact, the entire band seemed lit, and were very active in getting the party started. Jack Gibson quickly took a ‘foot on the speaker’ stance at the front, and when the riffing commenced Lee Altus and Kragen Lum joined him while headbanging hard. Gary Holt wasn’t with the band at this time, as he was probably held up in obligations to Slayer, but that was alright - his live replacement could certainly hold his own.
“Are you motherfucking ready to go faster with Exodus?!”
- Souza (vocals)
What the band was handing out, was clearly working on the crowd. Sure, the back rows still hadn’t gotten over their morning hangover, but in the front people were headbanging wildly, and it didn’t take long for a mosh to start kicking up dust. This in turn evolved into a circle pit, which continued to stir up energy.
In fact, when Exodus hit their final song of the day, Strike Of The Beast, they managed to get not just one, but two walls of death going, the latter even larger than the former, and that was quite impressive, if you ask me. Not surprisingly then, that drummer Tom Hunting spent so much time afterwards, throwing out setlists and drumsticks to the happy fans.
“Copenhell, we came all the way from north California, but you guys made us feel right the fuck at home!”
- Tom Hunting (drums)
Musically, Exodus will never be my favourite thrash band, but I have to hand it to them, that they handled the performance much, much better this time around. It wasn’t perfect, but it had its moments, and overall the band did what they were supposed to - kick up some energy, and get the party of the day started.
Setlist:
Funeral Hymn
Blood In, Blood Out
Deliver Us To Evil
And Then There Were None
Parasite
A Lesson In Violence
Blacklist
Bonded By Blood
The Toxic Waltz
Strike Of The Beast
Exodus
