As anti-religious as Exodus’ “The Atrocity Exhibition: Exhibit A” was, “Exhibit B: The Human Condition” is virulently anti-human. Gary, Rob, Jack, Lee and Tom have outdone “Exhibit B”’s predecessor with their newest offering. Rob Duke’s snarling vocals are dripping with venom and are harsher than ever. Gary and Lee play back and forth on the guitar with ease whipping through killer riffs and face melting solos. Tom’s drums are crushing and Jack’s bass tone is thick and heavy and doesn’t get lost in the mix like on too many other Thrash albums. Andy Sneap, as always, did a killer job with production on this album.
Enough on the basics, let’s talk about the meat and potatoes of this album. “The Ballad of Leonard and Charles” kicks off the album with a brief acoustic intro before picking up right where “Exhibit A” left off. The song doesn’t stop there. It gathers speed like a juggernaut and shows just how brutal Exodus still is. Lyrically, Dukes sounds nearly frantic painting the story of 2 sick twisted individuals and their exploits. Vividly described and nearly sickening to listen to, this opener packs a punch.
“Class Dismissed (A Hate Primer)”may be one of the most vivid songs recorded by any artist in the last decade. Tackling the wave of school shootings across the globe, the song is written through the eyes of the deposed and neglected student(s) that found no other way to speak out than with murderous rampages on their peers. The influence of Columbine, Virginia Tech and countless other senseless acts of violence drenches this song in their misery and the bloodshed caused. Aside from the horrific lyrical content, the instrumentals are absolutely pummeling. The high speed intensity and mid-song mid-tempo breakdown complete with group vocals before a pair of dizzying solos make this one of the highlights of the album.
“March of the Sycophants” discusses the dichotomy in Christian leadership and the blind following that can’t see the truth behind the preachers. “Nanking” creeps along at a “slower” pace than the rest of the album and tells the story of the atrocities of the Nanking Massacre of 1937 in excruciating detail. If “Exhibit B” was meant to piss off any and every member of the human race in one way or another, Gary and Co. surely succeed. The album tackles such sick and twisted subjects of human existence it’s amazing that the band hasn’t received an international damning. However, when you hate everyone equally, how can anyone get mad… except maybe those in Hollywood.
“Burn, Hollywood, Burn” is about as straightforward as an anti-mainstream song can get. Personally, I have to agree with the statement in the song, if Hollywood were to burn we should all douse the flames with urine. It’s classic Exodus and their non-poseur attitude. Holt must have found Baloff’s old novelty scissors when he came up with this song.
Closing the album is “Good Riddance” Exodus’ bid farewell to the human race and its disgusting way of life and choking of the planet. It’s one hell of a way to close out an album that tears the Human race apart for all its atrocities. Pick this one up and you’ll see your fellow humans for the trash they are, but don’t take any ideas from the lyrical content, just enjoy it and go thrash out next time Exodus comes to your town.