Digging out an archival tour date on the global push for their memorable third album Fabulous Disaster, Exodus became conquering heroes through relentless road dog work beyond their obvious skills as one of the earliest Bay Area thrash exports. Documentation of a full show from England appears for British Disaster: The Battle of ’89 (Live at the Astoria) – intertwining those early Paul Baloff-classics from the Bonded by Blood debut record as well as a healthy selection of Pleasures of the Flesh and FD rippers where Steve ‘Zetro’ Souza ripped faces off through his sick, raspy delivery that showed no sign of slowing down. Expect a fifteen-song battering and bruising that won’t soon be forgotten, with scalding rhythms, killer transitions, stop/start musical action galore beyond the necessary mid-tempo pit parts or wild yet fluid lead breaks.
Smart decision to this scribe in reaching out to Chris ‘Zeus’ Harris for mixing / mastering the final product, as he probably was able to elevate the sound to a crisp, potent value while not sacrificing the intensity and attack these gentlemen favored during this era. Zetro occasionally changes his register to be a little more controlled (check out specific verse/chorus parts to “Fabulous Disaster” early on), but he can be enraged when necessary for “Piranha” and “And Then There Were None”. At the top of their game in axe play, Gary Holt and Rick Hunolt set their guitars ablaze through addictive picking, crunchy chord combinations, and intuitive harmony / lead break spots. Prepare to be bowled over by the intensity of “Parasite” or “Verbal Razors”, while those audience members ready to stage dive or bounce heavily into one another got their fill in “The Toxic Waltz”. The crowd supports the musical power with proper shouting, screaming, and fervent energy, properly drained as the finale “Strike of the Beast” tears bodies limb by limb. Many will also enjoy the newspaper-style historical cover art choice from Mark DeVito – courtesy of the Exodus Express.
If you haven’t had the chance to see Exodus live and you love thrash – explain what has caused this negligible act to occur in this lifetime? No matter – British Disaster: The Battle of ’89 (Live at the Astoria) should make up for lost time and unite the multi-generational followers in appreciation for the quality performances they’ve consistently executed year after year.