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CD: Exodus - Fabulous Disaster Released: 1989
Reviewed By: Gautham Khandige (deathrider) Rating: (4.5/5)

 

 

Tracklist:
1. Last Act Of Defiance
2. Fabulous Disaster
3. Toxic Waltz
4. Low Rider
5. Cajun Hell
6. Like Father Like Son
7. Corruption
8. Verbal Razors
9. Open Season
10. Overdose



Lets get one thing straight at the start of this review. Exodus between the years of 1985 and 1989 could do no wrong. Bonded By Blood and Pleasures Of The Flesh are both face ripping tomes that have sealed their places in the annals of Thrash Metal. 1989 saw the release of "Fabulous Disaster" and this album is no different.

The album kicks off with the stunning Last Act Of Defiance. Lightening paced Thrash Metal is the order of the day and this song absolutely rules. Rick Hunolt and Gary Holt once again lay down those awesome riffs and Souza by this time had developed a style all his own. The slight ode to Ballof that was present on Pleasures Of The Flesh has disappeared and Souza is very much his own man on this album (and better for it). The importance of the rhythm section of Rob Mckillop (bass) and Tom Hunting (drums) cannot be underestimated. The guitarists can be brilliant but the band will never be any good if the rhythm section cannot back them up. Mckillop and Hunting are brilliant at holding up the rhythm section and Hunting in particular turns in a stellar performance on this album.

Toxic Waltz is quite probably the most familiar song from this album and the video even received some airplay on MTV India!
Fabulous Disaster was also the first Exodus album where the band explored different styles within the Thrash Metal spectrum. Cajun Hell, Low Rider and Toxic Waltz all benefit from a slight tinge of rock and roll, without loosing out on the heaviness factor.

Exodus released another absolute winner with Fabulous Disaster. Nothing can probably top the sheer energy and brutality of their 1985 debut Bonded By Blood but full marks to Exodus for the sheer consistency in quality that their first three albums possessed.

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