
Back in the flesh
-- Exoto --
15/06/2019
Stijn Daneels

Album genres:
■ | Death Metal |
■ | Thrash Metal |
Album artists:
■ | Chris Meynen | Vocals |
■ | Jorrit Wouters | Guitar |
■ | Kevin Vandervoort | Guitar |
■ | Kevin Schutters | Bass |
■ | Morbid Tpa | Drums |
Review written by Glenn "Terra Shredder" Van Bockstaele.
Exoto is a Belgian old-school death/thrash metal band who first came
into life as Insomnia in 1989 and then renamed Exoto the following year.
Between 1990 and 1996 they released 2 albums before splitting up. In 2013 the
band reemerged and released their third full length “Beyond The Depths Of Hate”
in 2014 before splitting up again. Eventually vocalist and founding member
Chris Meynen kicked Exoto back into life in 2016 with a entirely new lineup and
after remastering the band’s vintage 1990s material Chris and his new coworkers
have released new stuff in this “Absolution In Death” EP. Released through Belgian
record label Dead By Dawn Records. Enough history, let’s get down to business!
The EP opens with “Walkers” a short dreamy intro that sets up a relaxing
yet slightly foreboding atmosphere that eventually explodes into “When No
Dreams Remain!” An aggressive classic death metal track with sharp yet melodic
riffs, rhythmic blast beats, sudden tempo changes and Chris’s snarly hissing vocals
having a lot in common with those of John Tardy, vocalist of the almighty death
metal band Obituary! Next up is “Consumed By Insanity” a faster and more thrash
metal inspired tune with plenty of guitar shredding, soaring solos and marching
beats while also retaining some death metal influences. Overall, a great track
to mosh and headbang to!
Next up is “Liquefy Your Enemies,” a tune that begins with slow thunderous
riffs pounding drums and crispy bass and gradually speeding up to a death metal
frenzy! Then comes “Floating (To Hell),” the slowest and most melodic song on
the EP with only a couple of speedups and exhaling a dark, brooding atmosphere.
Certainly one of the EP’s highlight songs! And finally there’s the title track
of “Absolution In Death.” A typically Exoto tune showcasing their talent of
balancing tight and fast beats with catchy melody. No surprises here! Just a
thrash and death match made in hell!
Although Exoto don’t reinvent the death metal wheel with this EP, they’ve
taken said wheel and given it a good hard 27-minute spin! The EP’s well
produced and provides a great throwback to the old-school death and thrash from
30 years’ past! A meticulously prepared cocktail of thrash, death and melodic
metal! Exoto are thrashing, slamming, soaring and spitting out the same
excellent stuff they’ve been known for since 1989! So if you enjoy classic acts
like Death, Obituary and Cannibal Corpse, then Exoto’s right there up your blood
and gore filled alley! Here’s the lyric video for “Floating (To Hell).”