Top 10 Best Exodus Songs

If you're into thrash metal and you haven't spent some time with Exodus, you've got some serious catching up to do. This band helped shape the Bay Area scene back in the early '80s, right alongside the likes of Metallica and Testament. In fact, Kirk Hammett was in Exodus before he ever joined Metallica. That's how deep their roots go. Exodus didn't just ride the wave of thrash, they helped build it with speed, aggression, and riffs sharp enough to cut through steel.

Their debut album Bonded by Blood didn't just show up. It exploded. It's been praised by fans and musicians alike for decades, and it still holds up without needing any nostalgia goggles. Over the years, Exodus have gone through lineup changes, label issues, and even a long hiatus. Despite all of that, they've never lost the raw, feral energy that made them stand out in the first place. Not many bands can drop absolute crushers across four decades and still make it sound like a punch to the throat.

What really makes Exodus shine is their ability to write songs that don't just go fast. They mean something. The lyrics deal with everything from war and politics to betrayal and revenge, often with a sneer and a middle finger. When it comes to riffs, Gary Holt has enough to feed a small nation. Their live shows are chaotic, their mosh pits are pure mayhem, and their tracks are the kind you throw on when you want to wake the dead or tear your living room to shreds.

The Top Ten

Piranha

One of the greatest metal riffs of all time, as well as a ridiculously fast and intense solo. A masterpiece of thrash metal.

Best thrash/speed metal riff in history, definitely one of the greatest metal bands, and one of the best songs ever made to exist in the pride of metal forever.

One of the best speed/thrash songs of all time.
Bonded by Blood

The original version is one of the best thrash metal songs of all time. I listened to this song for the first time many years ago, and it still feels fresh and amazing. Best Exodus song, hands down.

This song represents what thrash metal is...

One of the classic thrash songs.
The Toxic Waltz

This is the song that got me into Exodus. I just love it, not much more to say.

Perfect song to mosh to like a psycho circus clown!
Strike of the Beast

I checked a video of them playing this at Wacken. That wall of death! This song is an absolute classic and a thrasher of note.

This song should be number 1 on the list. The ultimate killer thrash song!
And Then There Were None

The original is better than the one on Let There Be Blood!
Blacklist

That pounding bass and drums, the deep gritty guitar riffs, Steve Souza's gravelly voice. This song is pure evil, and I love it.

Excellent vocals, soothing guitar work, warm but smooth bass, and very unique drumming.

I swear, that riff never gets old. Gary is a guitar god.
A Lesson in Violence

Brutal song, especially the live version on the DVD Shovel Headed Tour Machine: Exodus Live at Wacken! Best live DVD ever!

One of the best riffs created by the H-Team. Simply one of the best thrash songs ever. Exodus till death!
Children of a Worthless God

An extremely underrated song! Perfect, epic, and intense the whole time!

This song kicks ass. Listen to the main riff, solo, and chorus. Every bit is great.

Underappreciated, terrific from start to finish.
Metal Command

Maybe not their best riff but definitely their best solo, and certainly an epic chorus.
Exodus

The Newcomers

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Iconoclasm

One of the fastest metal songs. Tom's drumming is too great, and the guitar riffs and solos are amazing. Please watch this song when they play live at Wacken 2008. I would think this song should be in the top 5.
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Black 13

Stop being posers, guys. They have had so many great albums. Bonded by Blood is not the best.

The Contenders

War is My Shepherd

Awesome riffs! Awesome lyrics! Every time I hear it, I want to tear everything down. Best Exodus song, a true masterpiece.

"Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition!" No words to describe how awesome this song is!
Raze

Fantastic guitar work with great singing. A thrash classic.
The Ballad of Leonard and Charles

This song is perfect. It's like a metal roller coaster. It starts off with a soft acoustic guitar, then all of a sudden these crazy, adrenaline-fueled riffs come in and take you on a wild ride.
When the acoustic guitar comes back at the end, you feel so overwhelmed and calm at the same time. It feels like you've just been on a musical roller coaster. This isn't just my favorite Exodus song. It's also my favorite thrash metal song. It's amazing.

This song is STUPIDLY GOOD. Everyone here is at their peak: Gary and Lee's guitar solos are arguably the best they've ever been, Tom Hunting is a maniac on the skins, and Rob Dukes (who, in my opinion, is every bit as equal to Steve and Paul) screams like a freaking banshee.
The best Exodus song ever, and it at the very least deserved to be in the Top 10!
Fabulous Disaster

Easily my favorite Exodus riff and song. Bonded by Blood is a close second. Everyone talks about Toxic Waltz, but this riff is as thrashy as all hell. It's impossible not to headbang to.

Surely their best... relentless thrash, great lyrics, fabulous solos, pounding drums.

Surely top 5 for me. Especially live, this song kills!
Good Day to Die

How is this not even on the list? This song is amazing and is the first song of Exodus I ever heard.
Verbal Razors

From the Beautiful Disaster album. Great song, great riffing, machine gun vocal delivery... Awesome!

Best Exodus riff and great lyrics. Bring back Souza!
Deliver Us to Evil

Easily my favorite Exodus song. Amazing vocals by Baloff and amazing riffs.
Deathamphetamine

Wow, at 19, most Exodus fans must not be paying attention to their newer albums. I'm a long-time thrash metal fan. I love Testament, Slayer, Metallica, Anthrax, even Destruction, Kreator, and Sodom. But Exodus' newer albums are unbelievable. They are better than their earlier stuff, which is hard to swallow for some, but true. This song is an absolutely epic composition.

This is an absolutely massive song, packed with heart-busting riffs. Exodus is one of the bands that have just gotten better and better. I mean, Jesus. Usually, when bands from the '80s make music now, they fall flat on their faces. Not Exodus. Amazing.
Blood In, Blood Out

This song is badass! At least top 10.
Funeral Hymn

These riffs and solos are epic. Everything a metal song should be.

This song should be in the top 10. The riffs and solo are all perfect.

Awesome song. This song got me hooked on Exodus.
Riot Act

Ultimate masterpiece! Dukes on vocals gives Exodus a really aggressive tinge which makes them so modern! Give it a listen, and perhaps you'll share my views.
Brain Dead

This is a largely underrated song. For me, it should be at the top. Once I was working in the lab at night, and I played the damn thing like 100 times in a row. It just keeps you moving!
The Last Act of Defiance

Energetic riffing and venomous vocals... and a wicked solo!
Downfall
Tempo of the Damned

This song makes me want to throw water bottles at my lawnmower.