Exodus Goliath
Exodus's Goliath reasserts the band's veteran thrash ferocity with an often thrilling mix of brutal riffing, dark storytelling and occasional inconsistency. Across five professional reviews the record earned a 70/100 consensus score, and critics repeatedly point to a handful of tracks as the clearest evidence that the
The best song is the opener “3111” because it condenses a horrific story into a tight, engaging thrash song.
“Hostis Humani Generis” is best because it feels vital, forceful, and recalls Exodus’s debut energy.
Best for listeners looking for thrash ferocity and old-school vs modern brutality, starting with Beyond The Event Horizon and Goliath (feat. Katie Jacoby).
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Reviewers consistently praise the title cut “Goliath (feat. Katie Jacoby)” along with “Hostis Humani Generis”, “Promise You This” and the throwback charge of “Beyond The Event Horizon” as the best songs on Goliath. Critics note a return of vocal menace and band pride in Rob Dukes's snarling delivery, and they celebrate moments of veteran mastery where Holt and Altus deliver steel-plated, ravenous riffs. Several reviews single out the opener “3111” and the ambitious multi-part “Summon Of The God Unknown” as high points that showcase both concise thrash attack and widescreen experimentation.
At the same time professional reviews temper praise with recurring critiques: uneven songwriting leaves some tracks feeling like filler, and a focus on impact over sustained invention means peaks and lulls coexist. The critical consensus suggests Goliath is worth listening for its standout cuts and the band's renewed vocal and riffing ferocity, even if the full collection falls short of unanimous acclaim. For readers seeking a quick verdict or what critics say about Goliath, sample “Goliath (feat. Katie Jacoby)”, “Hostis Humani Generis” and “Beyond The Event Horizon” first before diving into the rest of the record.
Critics' Top Tracks
The standout songs that made critics take notice
The Dirtiest Of The Dozen
2 mentions
"We started out with nothing, when the shit all hit the fans," Dukes rages on the closing "The Dirtiest Of The Dozen"— Blabbermouth
Beyond The Event Horizon
2 mentions
"They follow this up with the best pure thrash track on offer, “Beyond the Event Horizon,"— Angry Metal Guy
Goliath (feat. Katie Jacoby)
4 mentions
"Some of the album’s most interesting bits come during the title track, where Exodus opt for a slow, grinding stomp"— Angry Metal Guy
Opener and early single “3111” kicks off with an ominously doomy plod before eventually exploding into a thrashing rage
Track Ratings
How critics rated each track, relative to this album (0-100). Only tracks that made critics feel something are rated.
3111
Hostis Humani Generis
The Changing Me (feat. Peter Tägtgren)
Promise You This
Goliath (feat. Katie Jacoby)
Beyond The Event Horizon
2 Minutes Hate
Violence Works
Summon Of The God Unknown
The Dirtiest Of The Dozen
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What Critics Are Saying
Deep insights from 5 critics who reviewed this album
Bl
Critic's Take
The reviewer revels in the band’s “steel plated and ravenous” riffs, praising how “Hostis Humani Generis” and “Promise You This” pair Rob Dukes’s excoriating screech with Holt and Altus’s malicious guitar torrents. Overall the critic frames these standout tracks as evidence that EXODUS remain the genre's most dangerous and vital standard-bearers.
Key Points
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The album's core strengths are relentless riffing, modern production married to old-school thrash spirit, and sustained aggressive energy.
Themes
Di
Critic's Take
On Exodus's Goliath the best songs are the ones that wear their brutality proudly, and that is clear in “3111” and “Goliath (feat. Katie Jacoby)”. Tim Bolitho-Jones revels in the band's viciousness, calling the opening “3111” a tight, engaging thrash song while praising the title track as a lethargic, swaggering exception that actually works. He also highlights the ambition of “Summon Of The God Unknown”, noting its nearly eight-minute, multi-personality scope, which helps explain why fans asking about the best tracks on Goliath will point to these standouts. The review reads like a celebration of blunt catharsis - heavy, inventive and fun in equal measure.
Key Points
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The best song is the opener “3111” because it condenses a horrific story into a tight, engaging thrash song.
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The album's core strengths are brutal storytelling, inventive flourishes, and bluntly cathartic thrash execution.
Themes
Critic's Take
Exodus sound like a weathered crew on Goliath, leaning into impact rather than sheer speed, and the review repeatedly flags the album's punchy, if occasionally shallow, thrust. The review highlights the snarling opener “3111” as big on vibe but light on substance, and praises “Promise You This” as a joyously heavy hoedown that lands. It also singles out “The Changing Me (feat. Peter Tägtgren)” for a gleaming riff that soon slips into chuggery, making these the best tracks on Goliath to sample first for fans seeking the record's peaks. The voice throughout is wry and forensic, directing listeners to the album's strengths without pretending they always land perfectly.
Key Points
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“Promise You This” is the album's most satisfying moment, a joyously heavy hoedown that lands with real impact.
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The album favors punch and vibe over sustained substance, showcasing veteran thrash instincts more than consistent songwriting depth.
An
Critic's Take
I came to Goliath hoping for a bloodthirsty return, and instead found a mixed bag that only occasionally hits. Exodus still have sparks - the muscular “Hostis Humani Generis” and the lumbering, mean- riffed title cut “Goliath (feat. Katie Jacoby)” stand out - but too many songs feel like reheated leftovers. The best pure thrash here is the throwback charge of “Beyond The Event Horizon”, which actually recalls the band at their fiercest. Ultimately, memorable hooks are scarce, and strong performances cannot fully paper over weak songwriting.
Key Points
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“Hostis Humani Generis” is best because it feels vital, forceful, and recalls Exodus’s debut energy.
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The album’s core strengths are strong riffing moments and Dukes’s intense vocal performance, offset by inconsistent songwriting.
Themes
Critic's Take
Exodus sound reinvigorated on Goliath, and the best tracks on Goliath are laid out from the opening salvo. The album’s opener “3111” arrives as a breakneck thrash attack with a delightfully unhinged performance from Rob Dukes, setting a feral tone.
Key Points
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The best song is the opener “3111” because it’s presented as a furious, celebrated reintroduction for Rob Dukes.
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The album’s core strengths are raw thrash aggression and band-centric collaboration that yield proud, energized performances.