Published on Monday, 23 September, 2019 - 11:00
Photo Credit: Dante Torrieri

After a nearly 3 decade wait, NOLA thrash metal legends EXHORDER have released their first album, »Mourn The Southern Skies«, today with Nuclear Blast Records. 27 years after the release of »The Law« (1992), the band has returned in full-form with their signature sound of boundless thrashing riffs and pummeling, groove-laden rhythm that they helped pioneer over a quarter century ago. Purchase or stream »Mourn The Southern Skies« now: http://nuclearblast.com/exhorder-mtss

  • “Roughly 53 minutes after you press play on "Mourn the Southern Skies", the most important thing to know about EXHORDER is that they've just made one of the finest metal records of 2019.” - BLABBERMOUTH
  • “There is a constant mood about Mourn the Southern Skies and it is an atmosphere that is almost nonexistent in current day metal. This album is angry and it is a palpable feeling from start to finish.” - HEAVY MUSIC HQ
  • “After all this time they still have thrash by the balls and can still unload a gut-punch better than any band they helped foster over the years” - NINE CIRCLES
  • “Mourn the Southern Skies is a blinding comeback album by a band who deserve more recognition than they originally received.” - GHOST CULT MAG

More on »Mourn The Southern Skies«:

The New Orleans natives made their long-awaited return last year with a string of reunion shows and festival appearances, and now are launching a full-on comeback with the impending release of »Mourn The Southern Skies.« Recorded by Duane Simoneaux at OCD Recording and working with producer Jens Bogren (AMON AMARTH, OPETH, SEPULTURA) at Fascination Street Studios in Sweden for mixing and mastering, EXHORDER is armed with more fury and vigor than bands half their age, concocting an intoxicating amalgam of old school thrashers and groovers blended with a modern, mature approach.

From the opening of the first track of 'Mourn The Southern Skies,' listeners are reminded immediately just what EXHORDER is exactly through the spitting rage 'My Time' forces upon their ears. It is evident that the anger remains prevalent, with perhaps a different point of view that younger men could not possibly have understood on earlier albums. Sasha Horn's energy and punk influence fire the engines, with Jason VieBrooks locking down the foundation tightly. Vinnie La Bella once again has proven himself "The Godfather" of thrash riffs, which cut through like a high speed drill bit thanks to the stellar production. A lead guitar face-off in the solo not only exhibits Vinnie's sometimes under-appreciated skills as a shredder, but also showcases newcomer Marzi Montazeri ("The High Priest Of Distortion"). If anyone ever doubted EXHORDER's skill set regarding guitar soloing, those days are gone forever! And finally, as if riding a runaway garbage truck with fireworks exploding off of its roof top, Kyle Thomas invokes venom and energy with familiar passion. All in all, the truth is apparent – EXHORDER mean business once again!

EXHORDER's founding guitarist Vinnie La Bella says of their resurgence, "You can plot and scheme for years, even decades (as is in our case). You can work hard, keep grinding, bang the square peg in the round hole until it looks somewhat presentable. But sometimes you just need to let time tell you, it's time. EXHORDER has its own soul. And it pokes me in the ribs ever so often as if to remind me, 'Hey asshole, we ain't done yet!' Kyle and myself had a dream as teenagers. And as cliche as it may seem, we never woke up from it. EXHORDER has always crept in and out of our lives. So no magic bullet or formula here. It was only a simple matter of time before the right guys, the right songs, the right manager/label would finally come to the party. It's been damn near 35 years since we first uttered the name, EXHORDER. 27 years since our last record, and a whole lot of breaking up and making up in between. So why is this time different? Why start again at 50 years of age instead of retiring? Simple... because it's finally TIME!"

EXHORDER's enduring legacy began in the mid-80's when they defined the sound of Louisiana thrash and groove metal. Their initial formation was short lived, lasting nearly a decade with two critically acclaimed, classic albums, but their impact on the metal genre can be felt through a generation of bands that followed. EXHORDER dissolved in the mid-90's but briefling reunited in 2011. Now, the band has returned to reclaim their throne of NOLA metal with their awaited new album and an all-star line-up that includes Kyle Thomas (founding vocalist; TROUBLE, HEAVY AS TEXAS), Vinnie La Bella (founding guitarist), Marzi Montazeri (guitarist; ex-SUPERJOINT RITUAL, ex-PHIL ANSELMO & THE ILLEGALS, HEAVY AS TEXAS), Jason VieBrooks (bassist since 2011; HEATHEN, GRIP INC.) and Sasha Horn (drummer; FORBIDDEN).

EXHORDER will support the new record with a North American tour with KATAKLYSM in September (watch a trailer for the tour here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27xQVhNB6Rk) and a few EU/UK shows in October. Dates are below.

EXHORDER live:

»Meditations Over North America 2019«
w/ KATAKLYSM, KRISIUN, HATCHET

  • 20.09. USA Cincinnati, OH - Riverfront Live
  • 21.09. USA Atlanta, GA - The Masquerade (Hell)
  • 22.09. USA Baltimore, MD - Soundstage
  • 23.09. USA Brooklyn, NY - Market Hotel
  • 24.09. USA Poughkeepsie, NY - The Chance Theater
  • 25.09. USA Reading, PA - Reverb
  • 26.09. USA Worcester, MA - Palladium
  • 27.09. CDN Québec City, QC - Le D'Auteuil
  • 28.09. CDN Montréal, QC - Théâtre Corona

»Mourn The European Skies« - EU/UK Tour 2019

Record Release Show

  • 19.10. USA New Orleans, LA - The Howlin' Wolf (w/ ADAM PEARCE AND THE WARBIRDS, A HANGING, MORBID TORMENT)
  • 24.05.2020 USA Baltimore, MD - Maryland Deathfest

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