Bonded by Blood like Exodus. I like Exodus, too! Specifically, Bonded by Blood like old Exodus — in fact, if I was a betting man, I’d wager that they love the album Bonded by Blood. I love that album, too!

To that end, Bonded by Blood’s sophomore Earache release, Exiled to Earth, really does sound like an old thrash record. I assume this was the goal of the band, in which case, mission accomplished! The album does not sound modern. It also does not sound like death metal, any kind of “core metal,” or hip-hop.

Jose Barrales is their singer. He has a voice.

The band play their instruments better than I would be able to.

I really like the cover art!

I think it’s a concept album, too. In the liner notes, there’s a story about a race of people called “The Crong.” I did not read it all because I got distracted, but that is my shortcoming as a reviewer. If you like the kinds of stories that have races of people with names like “The Crong,” you may really like this!

It’s music!

(Gold Star!)

-AR