Exodus, Man Must Die, Shrapnel @ O2 Academy Islington, London



Exodus

Man Must Die

Shrapnel

@

O2 Academy Islington, London
Despite a lowly position in tonight’s bill, Norwich thrashers Shrapnel entertain the early crowd with an unexpectedly tight set spanning choice cuts from 2009’s ‘No Saviours.’ Somewhat overshadowed by the opening act, Man Must Die are nevertheless well received by an ever-swelling horde of Exodus enthusiasts.

Armed with fan favourite ‘The Ballad Of Leonard And Charles,’ thrash legends Exodus make a grand entrance, assaulting the ears with relentless waves of aggression. With Moses-like expertise, frontman Rob Duke splits the crowd into a series of circle pits before flinging himself into a seething mass of moshing fans. Having concluded the first leg of their set with ‘War Is My Shepherd,’ Exodus return to the stage with a five-song encore featuring ‘Bonded By Blood’ and a particularly ferocious cover of Metallica’s ‘Motorbreath.’ Flanked by the audience’s deafening approval, the suddenly ironic ‘Good Riddance’ makes for a killer closing number that leaves listeners bruised, battered and deeply satisfied.

Reviewed by Matt Hill
Exodus, Man Must Die, Shrapnel @ O2 Academy Islington, London