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Exile

    
       
       
       
     
             
Intent are a thrash metal band from the USA formed in 2015, releasing their debut album 'Vox Populi' in 2018. The bands sophomore album 'Exile' was released in 2022...    
             
...and features a ferocious forty minutes of raging thrash metal across eight blistering songs! The band have a fierce brutal edge that eclipses anything the likes of Testament, Exodus, or even the mighty Slayer have released. Intent are a high velocity, take no prisoners, slam you to the ground outfit, crushing skulls and smashing bones with a devastating blend of speed and heaviness. If you're of a nervous disposition - I don't think 'Exile' is the album for you! But if you're a die hard metaller with a "I survived three decades of Slayer, let's hear what you've got" attitude...then come on, let's go! Put the CD in, turn the volume up, and press play...    
             
...and let's get slaughtered together! For the band emphatically state their intent to slaughter with the opening bruiser 'Victims Of Conquest' - a high speed rampage of neck breaking brutality! The level of ferocity is much greater than world champion heavyweight boxer Mike Tyson in his prime - Intent setting out their stall with total savagery. The title song 'Exile' is extremely fierce, and continues the barrage of brutality set by 'Victims Of Conquest'. I really hope you've got a good supply of band-aids, for 'Exile' (the song) is gonna hack, slash and cut everything and everyone in sight. What a devastating opening double salvo! And the devastation is far from over - 'Shallow Earth' picking up the bat and savagely swinging it around. You'd better look out as your head is an easy target for the band, their brand of brutal thrash more terrifying than anything I think I've heard before - I may have to get back to you on that one! Meanwhile, the album roars forward with unrelenting ferocity, in the shape of the six and a half minute, less high velocity more brutal, 'Primal Instinct'. Delivered at a more traditional heavy metal pace, 'Primal Instinct' lacks none of the bands fierce savagery, Intent continuing to assault the senses with pummelling ferocity.    
             
Halfway through and 'Exile' (the album) has blown me away - and with so much explosive force too! Is there no limit to the bands ferocity? No, is the short answer - 'Verbatim' hitting the ground running at full tilt. Aggression, anger, angst - they're all there, filling the air with a snarling menace that I think only Intent can offer. I bet the bands live shows are incredible! With no let up in the albums brutal barrage, 'Changing The Axis' slow burns into life with a howl and a growl not heard before. Maintaining a more mid tempo pace than heard so far, 'Changing The Axis' retains the bands insanely high ferocity level - but adds so much menace, some listeners are gonna be terrified! And just like a jackhammer smashing concrete, 'Time' resonates with the same devastating effect. Nothing and no-one is safe from the out pouring of ferocity from 'Exile' (the album) - the band delivering a breathless barrage of brutality to test the stamina of even the most seasoned metaller. Me included! But here I am, at the final song, still with some energy left, so bring it on guys, let's have it! '5th Column' returning the blistering pace of the album opener - and then some! Fucking hell the speed is mesmerising! '5th Column' is a neck breaker of the highest order, the albums final hurrah a bludgeoning barrage of severe savagery that may just land some listeners in hospital.    
             
Overall, an incredible battering of ferocity, 'Exile' is a brutal barrage of neck breaking thrash metal.    
             
             
Review by Iron Mathew Collins    
             
Reviewed for C-Squared Music    
             
             
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