Review by Brian McLean
Even though there have been inconsistencies in the Exodus line up over the years, one thing is certain. There has been no inconsistencies in the band’s material.
The fact that the latest release, titled Shovel Headed Kill Machine on Nuclear Blast Records, contains only one original member, Gary Holt, and marks the debut of the band’s third vocalist Rob Dukes really doesn’t matter. There may be some adjusting to a new voice of Exodus but once past that little bump, Dukes does the band’s sound justice and is a fitting and venomous replacement for Steve Souza who bailed the Exodus camp on the night before a major tour.
What matters is the strength of the release and how the ten-track Shovel Headed Kill Machine shows that even with previous members departing for various reasons, Holt and company created another solid Exodus disc. Listening to the disc start to end or on the random selection won’t make a difference. Whatever track cues up, it will be strong and in the Exodus vain that the band has become known for.