Exodus

The only thing stopping these modern-era Exodus albums from totally ruling are the obscene song lengths. The band can cram more amazing riffs in a 60-second span than most new jack thrashers will be able to in a career, as "The Sun is My Destroyer" (9:21) and "Class Dismissed" (7:15) prove. But it does get exhausting when the songs just go on and on. "Burn Hollywood Burn" (not a Public Enemy cover) is the best example of streamlined thrash here ― at 4:06, it's a shred-fest done right. Much has been made about the meathead factor in this band these days, and the mid-tempo "Nanking" exemplifies that best on this album. But, come on, are you coming to hear 40-year-old dudes play intellectual thrash metal? No, you come to hear them lay down face-melting riffs, which they do to no end on Exhibit B. But by about 45 minutes into this 74-minute-long album, my eyes glaze over. For better or worse, the awesome Teutonic thrash of closer "Good Riddance" wakes me up and gets me excited enough to want to start this wonderfully abusive cycle of thrash all over again.