Album: Horror Epics
Year: 1985
Genre: Hardcore Punk / Post-Punk
Admittedly, I’ve always
vocalized my dislike for The Exploited. In
the past I’ve claimed them to be image over substance, fashion over music,
attitude over talent, the band that had the raddest skull logo on the planet;
just don’t listen to them because they’re not that great. Well, I can just fuck off because I like a
couple things from The Exploited and their longevity is testament to their dedication
to a fanbase which still adores them. That
said, I’m not running out to give myself a glowing red mohawk to show my
undying support, but there’s no use being a hater, especially when Horror Epics and Troops Of Tomorrow are in my listening rotation, with former being
my favorite. Horror Epics is very different from the rest of The Exploited’s
catalog. They must have been listening
to Killing Joke’s first couple releases before writing this record as there is
a huge rudimentary post-punk influence infused throughout. The rhythms on many of the songs sound
similar to KJ, with the vocals and bass following right along with what the
drums are laying down. The syncopated
guitars were something new for them and fit in perfectly. The shocking thing is, who thought The
Exploited would be good at this? No one
is the honest answer. Yet, they really were good at it. None of the diehard thrashers out there need
to worry because their brutish and crass brand of hardcore is still
ever-present. The album flows along
almost in a taking-turns manor between slower and faster songs. It works well because as soon as you feel the
need to be punched in the face by some speed and aggression, the band
delivers. For me, this is The
Exploited’s shining moment and glaringly demonstrates how very wrong I was
about them.
Listen to "My Life" here.
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