Goliath wastes no time proving as massive as its name, with a sinister introduction opening “3111” that strikes dissonant chords before careening into breakneck thrash intensity. Ode to owning one’s own volatility “Hostis Humani Generis” features a palpable lyrical delivery from Rob Dukes that cuts like crystal amid frenetic riffs, before rolling into “The Changing Me”. The track’s introductory notes cascade into hair-raising rhythms, forming one of the band’s most anthemic offerings – blending menace and melody with the skyscraping screams and cleans of guest Peter Tägtgren (Hypocrisy, Pain) and harmonic dual axe acrobatics from resident guitar legends Gary Holt and Lee Altus. “Promise You This” incites mosh pit treachery with explosive energy, cyclonic riffs and turbocharged soloing from Holt, prior to colossal title track “Goliath” simmering the tempo down with winding, malevolent leads, towering drums and ominous string work from Katie Jacoby coupling with intricate guitars. The album standout showcases the band’s ever-increasingly dynamic approach, even decades into their historic reign. Tracks like “Beyond The Event Horizon” and “2 Minutes Hate” provide EXODUS’ trademark deadly dose of thrash theatricality – the latter boasting one of the album’s most grimacing, grooving pit primers – while undeniably 90s-tinged metallic charm attacks alongside drummer Tom Hunting and bassist Jack Gibson’s unmistakable rhythmic rage on tracks like “Violence Works”. The nearly eight-minute epic “Summon Of The God Unknown” turns the danger dial to max capacity, setting the stage with a wicked introductory passage before traversing a variegated passage of trudging riffs and heavy metal melody. Power packed closer “The Dirtiest Of The Dozen” wraps the album on a manic high, showcasing EXODUS pulling out all the stops on all instruments. Flurried dueling solos, an isolated bass excursion, rigorous drum dexterity and a blend of both gritty vocal passages and cutting chants combine to serve as yet another prime example of the band’s ever-evolving musical mastery.
Produced, mixed and mastered by Mark Lewis (Whitechapel, Nile, Undeath), Goliath beams with the explosive authenticity that has set EXODUS eons apart from their peers since the release of their debut, 1985’s groundbreaking thrash blueprint Bonded By Blood. 40 years later, EXODUS are steadfast in their refusal to settle for the safety of mediocrity, fearing nothing and no one and continuing to forge their trademark just as resolutely as they did in their fruition."
