Artist: EXHORDER
Album: THE LAW REMASTERED (DIGI)

Year: 1992/ 2008
Media type: CD

The 80’s and early 90’s metal scene was known for being overcrowded with thrash metal acts, one more repetitive than the other. But despite this generic flood, there were a few names back then that gave new meaning to the word “thrash”. One of them was the Louisiana-based Exhorder, a band who had a massive impact on all of future thrash metal. Exhorder released their second and final album entitled “The Law” in 1992. Instead of delivering a typical thrash metal record, the band ventured more into groove metal regions, making the compositions slower and more technical, but not in any way less aggressive. “The Law” borrowed a lot from other genres as well, such as jazz or funk (just listen to the bass slap in “Un-born Again”!). Kyle’s vocals became more melodic and emotional, but in the same time angrier than ever. With songs like “Soul Search Me”, “Unforgiven” and “I Am The Cross” Exhorder took a new step in their music, focusing on more complex songwriting rather than straight-forward aggression. But that didn’t make the follow-up any less heavier – “The Law” is still a thrash album first and foremost, even with the amazingly performed cover version of Black Sabbath’s “Into the Void” that is included on the LP. Apart from the music, also the lyrical content showcased a slightly different perspective, concentrating more on politics. As Ceravolo explained: “We hate politics. This world is fucked, especially America. It's totally fucked. Just read the newspaper to figure that out. And we're just out to fuck it up even more; to play on the fact that things are fucked up. Instead of trying to make things better, and talk about the good things we feel more comfortable talking about the way things are...” Although strongly differing from the debut, “The Law” became a highly acclaimed release among the fans and was often compared (and by many considered superior) to Pantera’s “Vulgar Display of Power”.

TRACKLIST:

1. Soul Serch Me
2. Unforgiven
3. I Am The Cross
4. Un-Born Again
5. Into The Void
6. The Truth
7. The Law
8. Incontinence
9. (Cadence Of) The Dirge

LINE-UP:

Franky Sparcello - Bass guitar, Producer
Kyle Thomas - vocals, Producer
Vinnie LaBella - Guitar, Producer
Jay Ceravolo - Guitar, Producer, Assistant Engineer, Mixing
Chris Nail - drums, Producer

Credits:
Rob Beaton - Producer, Engineer, Mixing
Ty Bouvier - Design
Kurt Coste - Photography
Eddie Lancaster - Artwork
Patricia Mooney - Art Direction
Eddy Schreyer - Mastering