The new singer sounds very much like Zetro's more aggressive singing on Tempo, w/out the whiny/nasally style. I can't think of a better sounding singer for Exodus actually, now that Baloff is no longer with us... Bostaph sounds great too (and I LOVE Tom Hunting), so that's saying a lot.

The biggest hole in this record is no H-Team, but Gary Holt does a fine fucking job with nice leads and riffs that are in classic Exodus style, without sounding rehashed at all. I also think that the songwriting is much more consistant than Tempo... Where Tempo has a few brilliant tracks buffered by a few more below-average ones, Shovel Headed Kill Machine seems more solid and varied in structire than it's predacessor. I will buy this record!

If Gary Holt can keep this new Exodus lineup together (Lee Altus included), I think Exodus are up for a full-on second go 'round and I'll definitly be onboard for the ride.

Standout track for me: "Deathamphetamine" 8½ minutes of total chaos-bringing Exodus (see if you can spot the Voivod-riff in the middle, haha). Everybody is a Piggy-fan!

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I loved Tempo, and I will be getting this as soon as it hits the streets.

Thanks for the reveiw X-D.

So what happened to the rest of original members?

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Shovel Head sounds much more 'together'. I was at first put off by the singer who sounded WAY too familiar(ZETRO) but by track 4..he seems to be able to stretch the snarl much wider than the former singer. Made me wonder if Holt was in the studio coaxing this new guy Dukes...."okay, could we try that track again, now Rob, a little bit more Zetro for me." Really only the first track is the only bad one on the disc...why they put that as number one makes no sense to me but whatever.

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quote:

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Originally posted by X-D:
Gary Holt has pulled off a miracle IMO. Considering all the long-running members that left the band between Tempo and this album, this record is pretty damn good!

The new singer sounds very much like Zetro's more aggressive singing on Tempo, w/out the whiny/nasally style. I can't think of a better sounding singer for Exodus actually, now that Baloff is no longer with us...

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Couldn't say it better! I like Rob's vocals very much, the guy has what it takes to be the Exodus singer!

quote:

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Originally posted by X-D:
The biggest hole in this record is no H-Team, but Gary Holt does a fine fucking job with nice leads and riffs that are in classic Exodus style, without sounding rehashed at all. I also think that the songwriting is much more consistant than Tempo... Where Tempo has a few brilliant tracks buffered by a few more below-average ones, Shovel Headed Kill Machine seems more solid and varied in structire than it's predacessor. I will buy this record!

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Again, my thoughts exactly.
It's much more consistant, no fillers on this one. But I have the feeling that having Gary playing all guitars prevents this album from being their greatest ever (well, that's a useless speculation I know)
I respect Rick's decision but I miss him terribly on this album.

quote:

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Originally posted by X-D:
If Gary Holt can keep this new Exodus lineup together (Lee Altus included),

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... the next album might be just perfect (with Lee being involved in the songwriting)

Paul's drums are pretty good but I don't like the sound very much.
The guy seems to have a terrible reputation of sloppy live performances though... I'll be able to make my own opinion at their gig on Dec. 4th (with Hypocrisy!)

quote:

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Originally posted by schroeder:

So what happened to the rest of original members?

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Here's what I've read in an interview with Gary:

- Steve "Zetro" has been fired last year after having left the band during their last tour in South America. Rob, the new singer, was one of the band's guitar technicians;
- Rich (Hunolt)left for his problems with drugs;
- It seems Tom (Hunting) being seriously ill.

The whole interview here:

I gotta say, I really miss Rick Hunolt and Tom Hunting being in Exodus (with Holt, those three were the core members IMO), but Zetro has been replaced with a potentially better singer (if he can perform as live as good as he does on this album). Kudos to Gary Holt for keeping the faith! After a few more weeks of spinning this, I stand by my review.

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I'm going nuts waiting for this one, with all the cool shit you guys are saying about it.

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Totally agree also on Rob being better than Zetro. He sounds to me like a great mix between Baul Baloff and Phil Anselmo voices.

\m/ \m/

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Killer brutal album, be carefull when playing this one in your car at high volumes, you might find you foot going heavy on the gas pedal... this fucker rages.

I'm digging the new singer. He still has that Exodus edge, but doesn't sound as comical.

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