Album Review: Exhorder – Defectum Omnium (Nuclear Blast Records)

Exhorder, the thrashy and groovy metal band, will release their fourth full-length album, ‘Defectum Omnium’, on March 8th, 2024, via Nuclear Blast Records.

Exhorder are back and with an incredible amount of vitriol to their sound, albeit with that loveable head-banging inducing groove that we all know and love, ever present. From the moment this 12-track album kicks off with Wrath of Prophecies, it’s innately clear that this album is going to go extremely f**king hard.

Fast, thrashy, groovy, intense, and venomous as all hell. All of this applies to the opener, but also applies to the album as a whole. There’s an old-school twist to Under the Gaslight, a track with some serious heavyweight riffs, but also a garish guitar solo. Then along comes Forever and Beyond Despair to deliver an example of straight-forward thrashy heaviness, but it’s the doomy twist that occurs around the halfway point that really impresses.

Speaking of doom though… The Tale of Unsound Minds is an outright homage to the sound with big vocals and thick sounding instruments. It’s super dark and super sinister, and exceptionally likable. Watch out for the frenzied tempo increase though, it might take you by surprise.

Want more reasons to head-bang and circle pit? Of course Exhorder have you covered and knock out some heavyweight hits in the form of Divide and Conquer (some interesting harmonisation here), Year of the Goat (a really mean one), and Taken By Flames (a track fraught with danger). Be under no false impressions, even when the album’s not at its most exciting, it is still delivering a ton of enjoyable heaviness.

How about Defectum Omnium / Stolen Hope though? The 7+ minute run time is notable, but who would expect the sinister atmosphere and chanting that takes up the first two minutes? It drifts away, and the heavy thrash arrives with a bang, but even that is short-lived as the tone shifts to a darker and doomier sound. It’s excruciatingly slow, as the best doom often is. Of course, this is far from the only shift in sound this track has, and don’t be surprised by the groove that creeps in more and more. It’s one of the most elaborate tracks of all.

It seems absurd that anything could follow such a listen, but Exhorder are on creative form and Three Stages of Truth / Lacing the Well also showcases a ton of imagination. Beginning with light and lovable melody, before transforming into a stompy modernised take on the thrashy groove sound.

Amazingly, Exhorder still aren’t done and this album has three more tracks to offer. Now, there is a valid argument that less could have been more here, but it’s a flimsy one because the last part of the album does deliver some hefty bangers. Sedition, with its punky vibes. Desensitized, with its manic focus, and Your Six, a final doomy trawl. Exhorder have certainly pulled out all the stops to make this a gargantuan release, and it definitely pays off.

Exhorder – Defectum Omnium Track Listing:

1. Wrath of Prophecies
2. Under the Gaslight
3. Forever and Beyond Despair
4. The Tale of Unsound Minds
5. Divide and Conquer
6. Year of The Goat
7. Taken by Flames
8. Defectum Omnium / Stolen Hope
9. Three Stages of Truth / Lacing the Well
10. Sedition
11. Desensitized
12. Your Six

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