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Exodus - Bonded By Blood



8.7 | 873 votes |
Release date: 25 April 1985
Style: Bay Area thrash metal

Owners:

1128 have it
95 want it
1 trades it


01. Bonded By Blood
02. Exodus
03. And Then There Were None
04. A Lesson In Violence
05. Metal Command
06. Piranha
07. No Love
08. Deliver Us To Evil
09. Strike Of The Beast
10. And Then There Were None [Live in London] [Century Media reissues bonus]
11. A Lesson In Violence [Live in London] [Century Media reissues bonus]

Top 20 albums of 1985: 1
Top 200 albums of all time: 165

Additional info
Totally re-recorded in 2008, produced by Gary Holt and released October 28 as 'Let There Be Blood' - Guitarist Holt and drummer Tom Hunting are the only members to appear on both albums

'Bonded by Blood' remastered, limited silver edition also released in 2008 by Century Media with bonus live tracks

The album was originally titled A Lesson in Violence, but had its name changed when an appropriate cover idea could not be found. An advance cassette copy of the album (with the original title) was widely distributed through the tape-trading network upon the record's completion in the middle of 1984, creating an immense underground buzz prior to the official release of the LP. The release was delayed due to problems with the artwork

Guest review by
Death To Posers
Rating:
9.5
Bay area legends Exodus's debut release Bonded By Blood is often hailed as one of the most influential thrash albums of all time. It's what you would expect from artists coming from the Richmond, CA area during the 80's crack epidemic, even nowadays Richmond is frequently among the top 10 most dangerous cities in The United States at the end of any given year. Bonded By Blood is a gritty, dirty, violent and highly aggressive work just like the environment and time period that spawned it. What other band can make a song about sadistically killing and raping that people can party and dance to? Not Many. I respect Exodus all the more because they aren't "shock rock." They are still realistic in the sense that they aren't only "doing it for the image" or to get a reaction out of people unlike some other more popular "extreme" bands portray themselves. Bonded by Blood to me is like home cooking. It may not be world-class, critically acclaimed cuisine, but every time I eat at a fancy restaurant, it's good but not satisfying. Sometimes after I eat at a gourmet restaurant, I end up going to a local hole-in-the-wall type spot to get food that is just as good; sometimes even better and will actually satisfy my hunger. I feel the same way about this piece; it may not be refined or "plated artfully," but damn it's good.

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published 03.02.2011 | Comments (4)

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Comments: 85   Visited by: 1376 users
08.07.2021 - 18:33
Rating: 4
F3ynman2000
Nocturnal Bro
Written by Vonpire on 05.06.2021 at 02:09

I was hearing this with expectation but after 5 minutes it turns to total disapointment! How can anyone rate this With good or more is beyond my compreension, tastes!

Honestly, I feel the same. The vocals are weak. I couldn't listen past the first song (when they say together "bOnDed bY bLoOd" is so cringy)
Testament's The Legacy is so much better!
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16.01.2022 - 17:38
Rating: 9
metalbrat

But for the vocals I wouldvhave rated this 10 out of 10. Real BATM.
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In the beginning I was made of clay. Then I bit the apple and they changed me to metal 🤘
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17.01.2022 - 07:44
Rating: 9
AndyMetalFreak
A Nice Guy
Written by metalbrat on 16.01.2022 at 17:38

But for the vocals I wouldvhave rated this 10 out of 10. Real BATM.

Same for me, could of been a 10 if not for the vocals.
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17.01.2022 - 09:24
JoHn Doe

Written by metalbrat on 16.01.2022 at 17:38

But for the vocals I wouldvhave rated this 10 out of 10. Real BATM.


What is "BATM" short for?
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I thought the two primary purposes for the internet were cat memes and overreactions.
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17.01.2022 - 15:24
Rating: 9
Redel

Written by JoHn Doe on 17.01.2022 at 09:24

Written by metalbrat on 16.01.2022 at 17:38

But for the vocals I wouldvhave rated this 10 out of 10. Real BATM.


What is "BATM" short for?

Bay-area thrash metal I suppose
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17.01.2022 - 15:31
Rating: 9
metalbrat

Written by Redel on 17.01.2022 at 15:24

Written by JoHn Doe on 17.01.2022 at 09:24

Written by metalbrat on 16.01.2022 at 17:38

But for the vocals I wouldvhave rated this 10 out of 10. Real BATM.


What is "BATM" short for?

Bay-area thrash metal I suppose

Yes. Exactly.
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In the beginning I was made of clay. Then I bit the apple and they changed me to metal 🤘
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17.01.2022 - 16:25
JoHn Doe

Written by metalbrat on 17.01.2022 at 15:31

Written by Redel on 17.01.2022 at 15:24

Written by JoHn Doe on 17.01.2022 at 09:24

Written by metalbrat on 16.01.2022 at 17:38

But for the vocals I wouldvhave rated this 10 out of 10. Real BATM.


What is "BATM" short for?

Bay-area thrash metal I suppose

Yes. Exactly.


wow, didn't even think about that. I've never seen this abbreviation used anywhere.
Thanks!
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I thought the two primary purposes for the internet were cat memes and overreactions.
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18.01.2022 - 15:42
Rating: 9
metalbrat

Written by JoHn Doe on 17.01.2022 at 16:25

Written by metalbrat on 17.01.2022 at 15:31

Written by Redel on 17.01.2022 at 15:24

Written by JoHn Doe on 17.01.2022 at 09:24

Written by metalbrat on 16.01.2022 at 17:38

But for the vocals I wouldvhave rated this 10 out of 10. Real BATM.


What is "BATM" short for?

Bay-area thrash metal I suppose

Yes. Exactly.


wow, didn't even think about that. I've never seen this abbreviation used anywhere.
Thanks!

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In the beginning I was made of clay. Then I bit the apple and they changed me to metal 🤘
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03.07.2022 - 19:37
Rating: 4
Roman Doez
Hallucigenia
This is a bottom 3 albums of the 80's for me
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03.07.2022 - 20:42
Rating: 9
Redel

Written by Roman Doez on 03.07.2022 at 19:37

This is a bottom 3 albums of the 80's for me


Dude, you really need to listen to more 80s metal, it seems.
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03.07.2022 - 21:17
Rating: 9
Joppe
Steelemeister
F3ynman and Doez: Bonded By Bad Ratings
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My vision is augmented
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03.07.2022 - 23:31
A Real Mönkey

Written by Joppe on 03.07.2022 at 21:17

F3ynman and Doez: Bonded By Bad Ratings

Would that make you and Redel "Bonded By Bad Albums" then? Cause they're 100% right.
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"Change the world. My final message. Goodbye."

~Last words of Harambe, seconds before he was shot, according to child he shielded from gunfire
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04.07.2022 - 06:49
Rating: 9
Joppe
Steelemeister
Written by A Real Mönkey on 03.07.2022 at 23:31

Written by Joppe on 03.07.2022 at 21:17

F3ynman and Doez: Bonded By Bad Ratings

Would that make you and Redel "Bonded By Bad Albums" then? Cause they're 100% right.


4 is bad by the site's album rating description, I'm wasn't writing how much it rates.
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My vision is augmented
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24.09.2022 - 22:40
Rating: 9
Redel

Literally everybody, lovers as well as haters, is complaining about the vocals here. Funnily, I have never had even the slightest issues with the vocals on this classic of a thrash album.
This album is so much about ass-kicking aggressive attitude that these vocals, the choruses included, are the best thing that could ever happen to this album. I could not think, and clearly do not want to think of any alternative vocals for this album.

While I absolutely see why the vocals here are controversial and not everbody's thing, I find it really stunning that literally everybody, thrash fans loving this album included, do have problems with the vocals.
Man, these vocals are so full of character   ....
Ok, I am gonna stop here.
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24.09.2022 - 23:40
Rating: 9
AndyMetalFreak
A Nice Guy
Written by Redel on 24.09.2022 at 22:40

Literally everybody, lovers as well as haters, is complaining about the vocals here. Funnily, I have never had even the slightest issues with the vocals on this classic of a thrash album.
This album is so much about ass-kicking aggressive attitude that these vocals, the choruses included, are the best thing that could ever happen to this album. I could not think, and clearly do not want to think of any alternative vocals for this album.

While I absolutely see why the vocals here are controversial and not everbody's thing, I find it really stunning that literally everybody, thrash fans loving this album included, do have problems with the vocals.
Man, these vocals are so full of character   ....
Ok, I am gonna stop here.

It's strange because I remember being absolutely blown away by this album when I first heard it them years ago. The vocals were never an issue to begin with, I thought they were so full of aggresive energy and personality, and the vocals suited the lyrics and ferocity perfectly. But overtime I've found myself often being swayed by how others perceive the vocals, I mean his not the most talented vocalist, but then again thrash metal has never really been a genre that's renoun for talented vocalists as such, so I guess I've been harsh in that respect.

Now I honestly believe in terms of songwriting, riffs, and all round total aggression, this album is certainly up there with some of the most iconic thrash releases of all time, and many thrash metal bands of today owe alot to this release, as I've heard many albums over time being influenced by this.
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03.11.2022 - 03:23
Baloff was amazing. The vocals are extremely harsh and they're supposed to be.
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04.11.2022 - 01:13
A Real Mönkey

This might be the one album where I prefer the rerecording, if just for the vocals being better.
----
"Change the world. My final message. Goodbye."

~Last words of Harambe, seconds before he was shot, according to child he shielded from gunfire
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14.02.2023 - 12:25
Rating: 9
Growing

Only Exodus album where the vocals don't suck. Also the only essential Exodus record. Maybe the best rythm guitar on any classic thrash record, except Beneath the Remains.
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16.04.2023 - 21:54
Rating: 9
Growing

I mean they are solid when it comes playing basic thrash, and it could be possible that I need to listen to some of their stuff again, but Paul was their only remarkable vocalist.
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11.12.2023 - 17:33
Boxcar Willy
yr a kook
Vocals are whatever, neither terrible nor amazing, but barring a few standout tracks, the songwriting (especially the "riffs") is a bit of a snooze fest. IMO there were tons of better thrash albums coming out around this time.
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14:22 - Marcel Hubregtse
I do your mum

DESTROY DRUM TRIGGERS
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20.02.2024 - 22:34
Rating: 6
gerold_dayne

Overrated as hell. Only two songs that stand out are "And Then There Were None", and "Deliver Us To Evil". Both of which sound kinda similar, as it happens. Tempo of the Damned is a waaay better record than this one.
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21.02.2024 - 01:56
Rating: 10
Guib
Thrash Talker
I feel like gerold_dayne is baiting me...

You're gonna tell me that the riffs are a snooze fest? On Bonded By Blood? Brother you're not a Thrash fan and that's alright by me... But stop it, stop that nonsense shit slinging at one of the best fucking thrash release of all time. Please. I respect your opinion, it is your right, but damn is it wrong.

Every fucking song on this album is a stand out... There is literally no bad or forgetable track. I still struggle to this day to understand what people are missing on this one? I mean you're not a fan of Paul's vocals, sure I get that. But don't you fucking shit on the riffs you punks.

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- Headbanging with mostly clogged arteries to that stuff -
Guib's List Of Essential Albums
- Also Thrash Paradise
Thrash Here
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21.02.2024 - 08:51
Rating: 9
Redel

Written by Guib on 21.02.2024 at 01:56

I respect your opinion

As much as I agree with you on the album, it doesnt read here as if you honestly do, though.
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21.02.2024 - 13:18
Rating: 10
Guib
Thrash Talker
Written by Redel on 21.02.2024 at 08:51

Written by Guib on 21.02.2024 at 01:56

I respect your opinion

As much as I agree with you on the album, it doesnt read here as if you honestly do, though.


That was the goal lol. I don't.. I can't. This is beyond me Redel.
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- Headbanging with mostly clogged arteries to that stuff -
Guib's List Of Essential Albums
- Also Thrash Paradise
Thrash Here
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13.03.2024 - 05:09
Rating: 10
Yxag

Maybe speaking objectively this is not the best thrash metal record indeed. But for me this album contains some "essence" or "spirit" of the genre itself. I mean it has everything: speed, aggression, energy, fun, technicality, groovy and melodic elements. Yes, there are more brutal records, more complex, faster records, etc., but here you can find ALL of that at some minimum.

So if someone would ask me "What IS thrash metal", I would point at this album without any doubts. And it still has that magical ability to awake my inner headbanger who just wants to drink beer and listen some nasty shit. Damn I love this record!
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