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  • Album Review: Exodus-Goliath

     


    Words by Anselm Anderson


    Rob Dukes returns for this twelfth outing for Exodus. The shaven headed vocalist returns following a ten year hiatus from the band. ‘Goliath marks his first appearance since 2010’s Exhibit B:The Human Condition. Dukes returned to the fold last year, following the departure of vocalist Steve Souza, and this release also marks the first on Napalm Records for the band.

    Produced by Exodus,  and mixed and mastered by Mark Lewis, known for his work with Whitechapel, Nile and Undeath, this ten track release feels like a return to form for the Bay Area Thrashers. The music is intense and authentic, with  each riff cutting though  precision like a butcher’s knife. Dukes sounds like an insane man, whose making up for lost time. The album features guest appearances by Peter Tägtgren (Hypocrisy, Pain) and violinist Katie Jacoby. 


    Photo Credit: Jim Lovau

    The album begins with the dissonant chords on “3111“, a track that sets the tone with the chaotic and fiery intensity for the rest of the record. The album has the vibe of something Lamb of God would produce, with Dukes fiercely tackling politics, social issues and mental health. Dukes is complemented by a strong supporting cast with rummer Tom Hunting hitting the bass drums with ferocity.

    Guitarists Lee Altus and Gary Holt are at the top of their game, delivering groove-oriented riffs and blistering solos reminiscent of their classic work. Each track packs raw emotion and searing anger. The intros are long and meaningful, while Dukes blends punk attitude with thrash metal that sends goosebumps down your arms. Tracks like “Hostis Humani Generis,” “Violence Works,” and “2 Minutes Hate” bring the volatility and fast-paced riffage fans have come to expect from the band. The anthemic “The Changing Me” features the haunting screams of Peter Tägtgren, and “Promise You This guaranteed to spark wild mosh pit chaos.


    Other highlights include the doom -laden “Goliath”, featuring violinist Katy Jacoby, and the full-throttle “Beyond the Horizon”, which is bound to be a fave on their upcoming European tour.

    “Goliath” is ten tracks of blood pumping, smash face metal with plenty of razor sharp riffs to get those necks sore. The vocals have a nostalgic feel, backed by powerful production. There’s no shortage of anthemic tracks, and it’s clear the band has drawn heavy influence from Slayer and Megadeth. This release feels like a bold statement ahead of their upcoming tour, and they’ve absolutely delivered. Goliath is a monstrous offering, standing alongside tour mates Kreator’s Krushers of the World as an early contender for album of the year.

    For further reading , please click on the link below to read the review for “Krushers of the World” by Kreator.


    The bands are set to embark on the Krushers of the World UK/European tour this week. You can find the dates listed below.

    EU/UK Tour
    w/ Kreator, Carcass, Nails

    24.03.26 FR – Paris / Zenith Paris
    25.03.26 BE – Brussels / Ancienne Belgique
    27.03.26 UK – London / O2 Academy Brixton
    28.03.26 UK – Manchester / O2 Apollo Manchester
    29.03.26 UK – Glasgow / O2 Academy Glasgow
    31.03.26 LU – Esch-sur-Alzette / Rockhal
    01.04.26 CH – Zurich / Halle 622
    03.04.26 NL – ’s-Hertogenbosch (Den Bosch) / Brabanthallen
    04.04.26 DE – Essen / Grugahalle
    05.04.26 DE – Frankfurt / Jahrhunderthalle
    07.04.26 IT – Milan / Alcatraz
    08.04.26 SI – Ljubljana / Media Center
    09.04.26 AT – Vienna / Gasometer
    10.04.26 DE – Ludwigsburg / MHP Arena
    11.04.26 DE – Munich / Zenith
    12.04.26 CZ – Prague / Forum Karlín
    13.04.26 HU – Budapest / Barba Negra
    15.04.26 PL – Warsaw / COS Torwar
    17.04.26 DE – Hamburg / Inselparkhalle
    18.04.26 DE – Berlin / Uber Eats Music Hall
    20.04.26 LV – Riga / Palladium
    21.04.26 FI – Helsinki / Black Box Finland OY
    23.04.26 SE – Stockholm / Annexet
    24.04.26 NO – Oslo / Sentrum Scene
    25.04.26 DK – Copenhagen / Poolen


    Social Media Links
    EXODUS online:
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    WEBSITE




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    Copyright: Anselm Anderson ©

  • INFECTED RAIN Release Melodic And Intense New Song, “Stranger”

    Infected Rain

    The Moldovan heavy metal quartet Infected Rain released their new intensely personal and low-tuned single, “Stranger” this past Thursday.

    The post INFECTED RAIN Release Melodic And Intense New Song, "Stranger" appeared first on Metal Injection.

  • SZA Covers Goo Goo Dolls’ Resurgent “Iris”

    Not that “Iris” ever really went away, but the Goo Goo Dolls’ 1998 hit has been enjoying a bit of a social media-fueled boost as of late. Last year stars like mgk and Sombr covered it; earlier this year it got a Steve Aoki remix. Now “Iris” is part of a viral TikTok trend, and not only has SZA participated, but she’s done so by using her own cover of the song.

    The post SZA Covers Goo Goo Dolls’ Resurgent “Iris” appeared first on Stereogum.

  • “The Genesis guys said they liked the track, which was ironic. It was one of the reasons I’d left. I thought there was no chance of getting them to do it”: How Steve Hackett’s risky solo move paid off

    A fateful Jaco Pastorius show, a run-in with LA cops, rebuilding a Genesis song… Please Don’t Touch! aimed to tackle the unanswerable question, ‘What is prog?’
  • Ellefson-Soto Release Covers of Classic Elvis Presley and Fear Songs

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    A perfect pairing is truly *chef’s kiss*. Pairings of food and booze for sure, but particularly those that come of the music variety. Like Ellefson-Soto, a collaborative project joining former Megadeth bassist David Ellefson and does-a-little-bit-of-everything vocalist Jeff Scott Soto. These two go quite well together, which is apparent not just by their energy together, but also by musings they choose to create together. They just released two covers, one that’s somewhat unexpected and one that makes a lil more sense sonically: “Jailhouse Rock” by Elvis Presley and “IDCAY” by Fear.

    Ellefson describe the inspiration behind the covers:

    “The band FEAR has been a staple of our attitude and style of music from the beginning. And Elvis Presley has only become more legendary in recent years with so many films and documentaries about his iconic life. Let’s face it — he’s the one who showed us all how rock stardom was done from the start. So we thought it fitting to honor the king of rock and roll and the kings of punk rock at the same time.”

    Soto added:

    “We wanted as many tools as possible to lure you into our recent album ‘Unbreakable’ so we all met up in London to make a few more videos for ya! BUT these two songs are NOT on the album — instead they are two cover jams that gave us more reason to have fun together… familiar in the punk world, FEAR’s ‘I Don’t Care About You’ and Elvis’s ‘Jailhouse Rock’, delivered with in-your-face, no-mercy power!”

    You’ll be able to see these done live, most likely, at one or both of Ellefson-Soto’s upcoming gigs—the first at the iconic Whisky A Go Go in Hollywood, Ca on April 9, and then again once they take to the seas for the Monsters of Rock cruise, from April 12–17.

    Ellefson-Soto lineup:

    Jeff Scott Soto – Vocals
    David Ellefson – Bass
    Andy Martongelli – Guitars
    Walter Cianciusi – Guitars
    Paolo Caridi – Drums

    The post Ellefson-Soto Release Covers of Classic Elvis Presley and Fear Songs appeared first on MetalSucks.

  • METEORA – Dissonance EP

    Meteora from Budapest is one of the most prominent acts in the Hungarian symphonic metal scene. The EP was released on January 23, 2026, via H-Music, and also serves as the conclusion to the trilogy launched in 2025, preceded by In This Silence and Broken Mind; on the same day, the Darkest Light album, collecting […]

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  • Listening Now : Showrocka & Mickey Factz – Fear of God Joggers 2

    Showrocka and Mickey Factz link up on Fear of God Joggers 2, a high-energy boom bap cut that thrives on sharp lyricism and undeniable swagger. Driven by a punchy, head-nodding beat, the track gives both emcees ample room to flex intricate bars, clever wordplay, and veteran confidence. There’s a classic hip-hop spirit at its core, but the delivery feels fresh, fueled by charisma and competitive energy. The chemistry between the two is effortless, turning the track into a lyrical showcase where style, success, and self-assurance take center stage.

    A slick, unapologetic statement piece.

  • Album review: WARRANT – Belly To Belly Vol.1

    WARRANT - Belly To Belly Vol.1Deko Entertainment [Release date 15.04.26] Warrant’s fifth album ‘Belly to Belly, Vol. 1′ has been remastered and repackaged and is being re-released in April, and for the first time will also be released on vinyl. Originally released in 1996 it … Continue reading →

    The post Album review: WARRANT – Belly To Belly Vol.1 appeared first on Get Ready to ROCK!.

  • Listening Now : Floced – Evo

    Floced’s Evo is a sleek, forward-driving instrumental that taps into retro-futuristic club energy while keeping a modern, polished edge. Drawing from ‘80s and ‘90s dance and techno influences, the track rides on a steady, pulsating groove, gradually layering synth textures that evolve with subtle precision. There’s a cinematic quality to its progression—less about explosive drops and more about controlled momentum and atmosphere. Crisp production and rhythmic clarity give Evo a hypnotic pull, making it equally suited for late-night listening or dimly lit dancefloors.

    A confident, streamlined piece that thrives on movement and mood.

    Connect:

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  • Listening Now : Lukka – Fabric of The Cosmos

    With Fabric of The Cosmos, Lukka drift further into their hypnotic, synth-driven universe, crafting a track that feels both expansive and deeply introspective. Built on pulsing rhythms, swirling analog textures, and a steady melodic core, the song unfolds like a slow-motion voyage through inner and outer space. There’s a subtle tension between repetition and progression, as layers gradually accumulate into a rich, immersive soundscape. Vocals glide through the mix with a dreamlike quality, reinforcing the track’s metaphysical themes.

    It’s a transportive first glimpse of Wendekind, balancing cosmic scale with emotional nuance.

    Connect:

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