Search - Exhorder :: Slaughter in the Vatican / Law

Classic Thrash Metal.

Mattowarrior | Madison, WI United States | 10/15/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Law has been shaking my car stereo and speakers lately and I decided I'd write a review. Exhorder is little known to most people, however those who do usually know hear that a certain Texas band "copied" them and know little else about them. I for one heard this rumour so I decided to check out for myself. Yes there are alot of moments that Pantera must have been influenced by- but one fact is that the linear notes of both albums THANK Pantera, so its more of a matter of friends influencing friends. At least in my opinion. But the most startling similarity is the vocal stylings of Kyle Thomas. Phil Anselmo definitely listened to the guy, though also Rob Halford (in the early days). However, as Kyle Thomas has recently retracted the claims of Pantera "stealing" their sound, and Pantera is no more anyway, one fact remains. These albums rock! A slight "groove" is found to both, and their complexity almost reaches Death levels at times. Its awesome, hardcore influenced, semi death metal thrash. Highly recommended and a better candidate for a reunion than many of the second tier thrash bands that have recently reformed (I won't mention names). Too bad they were overshadowed by other emerging trends in the early nineties, and too bad it took "The Law" in paticular this long to be reissued. The albums can appeal to fans of everything from Slayer, to Death, to Machine Head to - yes that Texas band that means "Panther"in Spanish. Buy this now!"

A Diamond Worth Digging For

Matt Philth | California, USA | 01/25/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"


You can forget the whole Exhorder/Pantera "who bit who's style" it doesn't matter one bit. What does matter is that all self respecting thrash/metal fans need to own this two for one pack as both Slaughter in the Vatican and The Law are two of the best metal records you've never heard, and that needs to change my friends, NOW!!!!



These two albums rip from beginning to end. No filler, just straight up metal to get violent to. My theory on why Exhorder never quite "made it big" is that their lyrical focus was quite a bit more brutal than that of Pantera's. While Pantera was singing about being the Cowboys from Hell, and Primal Concrete Sledges, Exhorder was singing about killings in the holiest of places, homicide, and a lust for [...] (not quite the makings of a top 20 hit you know what I'm saying?). The music while similar to Pantera is actually quite a bit more brutal and technical as well, this band probably would have had more in common with early Sepultura or Death than Pantera if you really dissect the music. Yeah the grooves are there, the vocals are similar, but for the most part this is much more of a thrash/early death metal hybrid. Not too mention Chris Nail is doing things on the kit Vinnie Paul never dreamed of doing on C.F.H (no disrespect to Big Vin).



The bottom line is, all we can do at this point is buy these two records,praise Exhorder for giving us some of the best metal ever released, and hope for a reunion so we can get the pits swirling.



Make no mistake, if you are old school you will slap yourself for not getting these records earlier. It is without a doubt one of the best $20 purchases I've ever made, and I firmly beleive that if you do the same you will agree.........Exhorder is no f'ing joke.



Highly recommended!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"

Mandatory for all metal fans

Jeremy Whitman | Lafayette, Louisiana United States | 04/18/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Roadrunner released many classics long before that mainstream got wind of their capitalistic endeavours circa 1998. In 1989, the metal world was taken by storm by Louisiana's Exhorder via their debut Slaughter In the Vatican, or better yet, it SHOULD have been taken by storm.



Kyle Thomas, Vince Neil and co. pushed the envelope that Slayer had set by adding some unheard-of hardcore influences in their brand of relentless thrash. Thomas's lyrics, while lacking maturity, were shocking in the least and spat at with such force that it could only force the listener to pay attention throughout the album. The Law, while slightly inferior, was even more hardcore-tinged and brutal in performance. However, record label problems forced them to disband shortly after, along with every side-project attempt that the members tried to put together after the band's downfall.



According to metal legend, Phil Anselmo was a road tech for Exhorder during the Vatican performances. Pantera fans even admit that the evolution from "Power Metal" to "Cowboys In the Vatican" is uncanny after hearing Exhorder's recordings. Therefore, metal historians would be right to think that this unknown New Orleans based thrash outfit would be responsible for changing the face of modern metal forever. I've attended several Exhorder shows in the past few years, so don't think that time has truly forgotten this treasure of a band. They may be quiet, but not dead."