Bonded By Blood

Had it been released only one year earlier, "Bonded By Blood" might be generally regarded as one of the earliest, and most primitive thrash metal albums ever. (It would rank right alongside Metallica's "Kill `Em All" and Slayer's "Show No Mercy.") But it wasn't, so it doesn't. Nevertheless, Exodus have created one very fine thrash/speed metal record in their debut, 1985's "Bonded By Blood."And, with its vicious, cutthroat tempos, blood-pumping riffs, fast bass lines, and chaotic solos, it is a textbook lesson in Eighties thrash metal. It would also prove to go on to become one of the genre's most influential releases of all time, as it was one of the first to feature the trade-off guitar solo style. (A style previously explored by only Judas Priest and Iron Maiden.) Indeed, axemen Gary Holt and Rick Hunolt take turns ripping out solos like it ain't no thing. All told, what we have here is a very satisfying and enthralling debut from the San Francisco natives. The title song is a terrifically ripping and rousing set opener backed by catchy, thrashing grooves, fiery, machine gun riffing, deft drumming, and powerful high-pitched vocals (including an Anthrax-worthy shout of the title phrase in the mosh pit-ready choruses). The guitarists trade-off two blistering solos (the first of which is a fairly lengthy and winding one), here, too; and the lyrics are also of noteworthy (lines like "metal takes its place" and "bang your head" stand out.) Holt and Hunolt continue setting their fretboards on fire throughout the next track, "Exodus," a tune that may feature prominently audible and strong, beeping bass lines -- but it is mostly the six-stringers' show. It boasts scorching buzzsaw-fast leads, two tastily ripping, and fairly melodic solos, and some nice, Iron Maiden-esque twin guitar harmonies near the end. "And Then There Were None" is the record's first and only mid-tempo cut, featuring relatively restrained tempos, chunky, chug and churn riffs, another insanely memorable chorus, and two solos that careen all over the map. The tune is immediately counterbalanced, however, by the frenetic "A Lesson In Violence," which peels out of the gate at blinding speeds. "Metal Command" offsets one screaming and totally-off-the-rails solo with one nicely melodic solo, and tacks on a bouncy little drum solo to end. "Piranha" brings a ton more abrasive guitar crunch and breakneck soloing, but its main highlight is its hefty double bass drumming. "No Love" is like many Eighties thrash anthems in that it begins with a beautiful acoustic intro. Some call this unnecessary, but this reviewer disagrees -- I think it is a good monotony breaker. And besides, this is more than just an "Orion"-era Metallica-esque rip-off because this one uses flamenco/Spanish guitars. The song then turns to hooky, galloping riffs, soaring harmonies, and wailing solos. Next up comes the record's probable pinnacle, "Deliver Us To Evil," which features another epic trade-off guitar solo section -- by my count, Holt and Hunolt rip out eight solos (!) in all, here. The proper end of the album ("Strike Of The Beast") hits hard and in suitably ferocious fashion, with still more blistering, rip-roaring chainsaw riffage and fairly lengthy, wild, Slayer-esque shredding solos. "Bonded By Blood" is an excellent thrash album, no matter how overlooked and unsung as it may be. And when you add the two scorching and blazing fast live renditions of "And Then There Were None" and "A Lesson In Violence" to the mix, and the end result ought-to be just about an essential purchase for even casual fans of the genre.

The Bonded by Blood vinyl arrived in perfect condition — well protected, perfectly flat, and without any marks or warping. The sound is powerful and crisp, capturing all the raw energy that makes this album a thrash metal classic. Bonded by Blood is an essential record, and this pressing does it full justice. Absolutely recommended for any serious metal fan.

Words just can't describe how great Exodus's debut album "Bonded by Blood" really is. I mean this is without a doubt one of the greatest thrash metal albums of the 80's. Whenever I listen to this album, I always get a serious kick of adrenaline rush. I mean this album is just heavy, fast, crazy, take no BS, in your face, headbanging old school thrash from start to finish. "Bonded by Blood" of course would be the first and only Exodus album with Paul Baloff on vocals. His vocals on here are just angry and all out pissed off throughout. Gary Holt and Rick Hunolt are very awesome guitarists. These guys rip right through your skin with wild thrashing riffs, and crazy fast dualing solos like a race car driver going 100 miles per hour. Rob McKillop's bass is pretty good, and Tom Hunting's drumming is just fast and all out merciless. Every song on here is just full of fast, crazy, thrashing heaviness, and very mosh pit worthy as well, including "Bonded by Blood", "Exodus", "Piranha", "Metal Command", "And Then There Were None", "Strike of the Beast", and of course "A Lesson in Violence" which is wihtout question one of Exodus's best songs ever and a true I DON'T GIVE A CRAP attitude like anthem as well. There's also some bonus live versions of "And Then There Were None", and "A Lesson in Violence" too. Bottom Line is this, if you're looking for some old school 80's thrash metal to just bang your head like freakin crazy, then by all means, you must own this album. LONG LIVE EXODUS!! R.I.P. PAUL BALOFF!! Jeremy's song ratings: 1. Bonded by Blood - 5/5 2. Exodus - 5/5 3. And Then There Were None - 5/5 4. A Lesson in Violence - 5/5 5. Metal Command - 5/5 6. Piranha - 5/5 7. No Love - 5/5 8. Deliver us to Evil - 5/5 9. Strike of the Beast - 5/5 10. And Then There Were None (Live Bonus Track) - 5/5 11. A Lesson in Violence (Live Bonus Track) - 5/5

I was disappointed that this did not include the original cover art but still a great album if you want original cover art look elsewhere if you just want the great songs go for it the price was right and it sounds great

Exodus is an accomplished pioneer of thrash metal. I've listened to them over the years, even had "Toxic Waltz" on vinyl. I prefer the first album because Paul Baloff (RIP) on vocals totally crushes it, and was irreplaceable. Classic riffs and songs saturate this album reflecting the unique character of the band and their sound. It's hard, aggressive, no-holds-barred. An onslaught. "A Lesson in Violence"...song aptly reflects what such would look like of made into a thrash metal song. No wimp-out downer songs about weakly "fading to black..." or mopey power ballads about "watching the children pray" or wtf a "mechanix" is. Only downside is the production quality volume itself is too low. Have to crank up volume too higher than should be normal for it to sound right. We're not that deaf yet lol. It should be noted this CD with the "red camo" cover (it's actually an audience if you look closely) is the edition with bonus live tracks but otherwise its the same tracks from original album.

Este es un álbum iconico y es difícil de encontrar en sus primeras ediciones, lo cual hace de esta edición muy especial y tiene la virtud de sonar muy bien!

Tutto perfetto👍👍👍👍👍👍👍☝️👍💗

Incredible debut album by Bay Area thrash legends Exodus. For my money, 'Bonded By Blood' is every bit as good as 'Kill 'Em All', 'Show No Mercy' or 'Fistful of Metal'. The pummelling title track is my personal favourite along with 'A Lesson In Violence' and 'Strike of the Beast', but there is not a weak song on the record. Anyone who has been to an Exodus gig knows what a tight, fearsome live act they are. Had they managed to release 'Bonded... in 1984 as originally planned (And followed it up with 'Fabulous Disaster', rather than the half-baked 'Pleasures of the Flesh'), I believe they would have been a solid member of a "Big 5" with the record sales and fame that they deserve. Exodus are still releasing great albums to this day, but 'Bonded By Blood' remains their defining record and one that should be in the collection of every fan of thrash or follower of metal in general.

Todo un clásico del thrash metal ochentero.

Great epic album Great band!A must in a metal heads collection.

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