Bonded by Blood
Exodus · 1985
48 min · 11 tracks · thrash metal
Unrelenting thrash metal energy fuels a ferocious assault of rapid riffs and aggressive vocals that defined a genre.
Top tracks — play these first
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Bonded by Blood — The title track encapsulates the album's aggressive spirit with rapid-fire guitar riffs and powerful lyrics that explore themes of loyalty and betrayal.
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A Lesson in Violence — This track combines relentless speed with intricate solos, showcasing the band's technical prowess and serving as an anthem for thrash metal fans.
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Strike of the Beast — With its fierce tempo and biting lyrics, this song exemplifies Exodus's signature style while addressing darker themes of violence and chaos.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases intricate musicianship and aggressive energy, marking a strong debut in thrash metal.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a title track that features rapid-fire guitar riffs and aggressive drumming, setting a relentless pace for the first half.
- Vocals are delivered in a harsh, shouted style that matches the intensity of the instrumentation throughout most tracks.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- wave-like pacing with intensity
- raw energy for headbanging moments
- cathartic release through aggression
- live tracks enhance electrifying experience
Maybe skip if you
- prefer mellow and soothing sounds
- seek melodic or soft textures
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on April 25, 1985, Bonded by Blood is Exodus's debut album, marking their entry into the thrash metal scene. At this point, the band had already garnered attention for their live performances and demos, setting the stage for their influential sound that would shape the genre.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Bonded by Blood 3:44
- 2 Exodus 4:05
- 3 And Then There Were None 4:40
- 4 A Lesson in Violence 3:49
- 5 Metal Command 4:14
- 6 Piranha 3:47
- 7 No Love 5:08
- 8 Deliver Us to Evil 7:08
- 9 Strike of the Beast 3:58
- 10 And Then There Were None (live) 4:51
- 11 A Lesson in Violence (live) 3:25
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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