Exodus Kick Ass In Manchester
Published
After taking on Europe with a tour itinerary that would drive most artists insane, the Bay Area thrashers finally found their way to the Manchester Academy 3.
Earlier in the day I’d interviewed Steve Souza (listen here) and at the end of our short talk he stated he was going to “kick our ass tonight”. I’ve heard such bold statements before… ” Make this town ours”, “This is our house now”, and so on.”
However as the two first songs are unleashed like a pack of wild dogs on to the already frenzied audience it struck me that it was indeed what they were about to do .
“Black 13” followed by the blistering mosh pit anthem “Blood in, Blood out” turned the centre stage floor into what looked like a heavy metal whirling dervish conference. That was followed by two classic Rob Dukes-era songs, “Iconoclasm” and “Children of a Worthless God”. This was beginning to become a master class in Thrash Metal classics.
Souza now has his congregation in the palm of his hand , pointing out to individuals in the audience, and acknowledging them like some heavy metal Pied Piper. He even had yours truly in his maddened gaze for a few seconds.
It didn’t stop there either. “Children of a worthless god”, “ Piranha”, “Salt In The Wound”, “Pleasures of the Flesh”, and ”Body Harness” followed to feed the already insane mosh pit.
The encores “War Is My Shepherd, “The Toxic Waltz” AND “Strike of the Beast” give the crowd exactly what they want.
After 16 blistering songs the band are gone leaving the audience in a shell shocked state.
Everybody I spoke to on the way out and around the Merchandise stall praised the performance. I don’t about know them, but I felt as though I’d had my ass well and truly kicked!
Tof ind out more about Exodus click here.
To visit the Exodus homepage click here.
Words & pictures by Lawrence Taylor
